How SUVs Made Family Cars Worse Not Better
SUVs may dominate today’s roads, but many drivers argue they never truly replaced the simplicity, practicality, and comfort of traditional station wagons. Instead, SUVs brought higher prices, worse efficiency, and bulkier designs without actually improving what families loved about wagons. This article breaks down why many enthusiasts believe SUVs didn’t evolve the wagon they complicated it.
Volvo 850 Wagon (1990s)
Man, the Volvo 850 wagon, like from ’93 or so? Total tank with space for days, that turbo five-cylinder purrs, seats flip flat for IKEA hauls. Around $25k new back then, you grab a solid one now for $4k-$6k. Safer than anything, AWD option if you want. Compared to crossovers, it’s lower, handles like a dream, gets 25 mpg easy. Honestly, why’d we ditch this for lifted nonsense? Feels soulful, you know?
Subaru Legacy Wagon (2000s)
The Legacy wagon from early 2000s, AWD beast with boxer rumble, roof rails for bikes, huge cargo. New was about $23k, used $5k today. Symmetrical drive claws snow, reliable as hell. Random thought, SUVs copied the tall stance but lost the car agility, this thing corners flat. I mean, my uncle had one forever, fixed it himself. Better than Outback clones, less thirsty.
Audi A6 Avant (late 90s)
Audi A6 Avant, that sleek Euro wagon with quattro grip, 2.8 V6 smooth, leather everywhere classy. Around $35k new, $8k used now. Quattro makes it unstoppable wet or dry, trunk swallows golf clubs. Vs modern Q7 SUVs? This is lighter, quicker, 24 mpg. Joke’s on us, we paid more for worse dynamics. Digs the understated vibe.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon (W210, 90s)
The W210 E-wagon, man, luxury hauler with air suspension option, diesel torque endless. $40k-ish new, $10k clean ones. Self-leveling keeps it planted loaded, shoots gaps easy. Modern GLE SUVs? Bloated versions with worse mpg. Like, why lift perfection? This one’s a sleeper, comfy road trips.
Toyota Camry Wagon (late 80s/90s)
Old Camry wagons, V6 smooth, indestructible, flip seats for sleeping. $18k new era, $3k now. Bulletproof trans, 30 mpg highway. SUVs stole the practicality but added height penalty, this hugs roads. Not gonna lie, underrated gem for broke families. Simple joy.
Honda Accord Wagon (early 90s, JDM vibes)
Accord wagons from Japan import scene, H22 engine peppy, low center gravity. Around $20k equivalent new, $7k used imports. VTEC whoosh, manual shifts crisp, cargo king. CR-V tried copying but taller flop. Personal opinion? Pure driving fun wagons nailed, SUVs botched.
Saab 9-5 Wagon (late 90s/2000s)
Saab 9-5 Aero wagon, turbo jet vibes, night panel dims dash. $30k new, $6k now. Night Panel genius for night drives, turbo spool wild. 9-7X SUV was lame attempt, this flies lower. Quirky Swede charm wins, honestly.
BMW 5-Series Touring (E39, 90s)
E39 540i Touring, inline-six silk, wagon perfection. $45k new, $12k used. Rear-drive balance god-tier, ski pass-through. X5 copied but heavier mess. Why complicate genius? Wrenching heaven too.
Volkswagen Passat Wagon (B5, late 90s)
B5 Passat wagon, VR6 growl, 4Motion grip, massive glass. $25k new, $4k today. Syncro AWD subtle, 25 mpg. Tiguan wannabe but worse. Euro practicality pure, sleeps four flat.
Ford Taurus Wagon (90s)
Last-gen Taurus wagon, 3.0 V6 torquey, aero shape efficient. $20k new, $2k runners. Seats fold magic, 28 mpg. Explorer wrecked the formula tall. Underdog hero, cheap thrills.
