As a teenager, one of the first cars I drove and fell in love with was my family’s giant full-size wagon. It was over 19 feet long and weighed a whopping 5,300 pounds. That’s three feet longer and 1,000 feet heavier than, say, the current Ford Explorer.
But this Leviathan felt safe and practical, especially when driving around town with a crew or traveling cross-country alone. Of course, this carrier was also an environmental disaster.
Fortunately, that is not the case today. And even though the number of traditional station wagons continues to dwindle, automakers still offer some gems.
Volvo V60 Cross Country
$54,000
MPG: 23 city / 31 highway
0-60mph: 6.6 seconds
Cargo space: 51 cubic meters. feet (with rear seats folded)
Strong Points: Elegant design. Calm handling. Best safety features.
Cons: Fair power. Adequate rear leg space. There are only two trim levels.
The 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country doesn’t seek attention. That’s what’s important. This is the automotive version of Kristen Stewart, a celebrity who is confident in her own skin and doesn’t think she needs to post about it.
Under the hood is a four-cylinder turbo engine paired with a mild hybrid system, producing 247 horsepower. It doesn’t overtake other drivers, but it has a quiet sense of dignity when accelerating. Standard all-wheel drive and 8.1 inches of ground clearance make this wagon ready for dirt roads, inclement weather, or weekend jaunts.
And what about inside? The pinnacle of Scandinavian minimalism. clean lines. Luxurious material. The Google-based infotainment mostly works, but the system could use a bit more speed, at least for my taste. The ride is smooth, composed, and quiet, even if the acceleration feels more like a “firm sip” than an “espresso shot.”
But here’s the twist. After more than a decade, this was the last Volvo wagon in the United States. Its farewell tour concludes in 2026. That alone establishes this car as a collector car.
Mercedes AMG E53 Wagon
$95,000
MPG: 21 city/25 highway
0-60mph: 3.4 seconds
Cargo space: 64.6 cubic meters. feet (with rear seats folded)
Strong Points: Supercar atmosphere. Hybrid versatility. Great interior.
Cons: Some cumbersome controls. You may feel the weight when cornering.
If the Volvo V60 Cross Country is subtle, the 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon is a screamer. It’s like being at a Lil Nas X concert. It’s flashy, high energy, and full of shock and awe.
This performance wagon — a plug-in hybrid — puts out well over 500 horsepower (over 600 horsepower in some configurations) and launches from 0 to 60 mph as quickly as a $300,000 Aston Martin supercar.
Yes, at heart this is still a wagon. But you can also drive around Costco in something that puts sports cars at stoplights to shame. That duality is delicious.
Inside, the Mercedes is completely tilted. A high-tech superscreen setup spans the entire dashboard. Ambient lighting shines like a carefully selected art installation. 4D surround sound audio literally pulsates through your seat. It’s immersive. Borderline excessive. And totally to the point.
Rear-axle steering hides the car’s size, but there’s no hiding its weight. It’s a big, powerful machine. Still, this carrier handles much better than physics would suggest.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
$121,000
Cruising range: 265 miles
0-60mph: 2.8 seconds
Cargo space: 41 cubic meters. feet (with rear seats folded)
Strong Points: Lightning fast. Space age design. EV smoothness.
Cons:It’s very expensive. The options add up quickly. Rear visibility is limited.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo completely rewrites the conventional wisdom of wagons. Fully electric. Amazingly fast. The design makes you feel like you’re in the Louvre Museum.
Performance is instant. Depending on trim level, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. There’s no harsh engine noise, just the smooth rumbling of the EV.
handling? Pure Porsche. Lower center of gravity due to battery pack placement. Precision that makes the winding road feel like choreography. And hello. There’s also a gravel mode for light off-road use.
The interior is restrained in style but high-tech. Digital displays dominate, including a 10.3-inch passenger-side touchscreen. However, the layout feels intentional rather than overwhelming. The build quality is exceptional. Options are endless and expensive, including leather-free materials and active leveling systems for hard cornering.
Range varies by model. However, as with any EV, lifestyle (and access to charging) is important.
All in all, this is a wagon that looks and operates like a very nice act.
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