The sturdy station wagon used to be a staple of any manufacturer’s model line up, but their loss of popularity in the past 30 years have made them a rarity on American roads.
Before we get too far in this discussion, we first must identify what truly qualifies as a station wagon, because the lines are blurred to the point that it is a heated topic of discussion in automotive groups. Some people believe if it has four doors and a hatch, it is a station wagon. By those standards, most SUVs are station wagons, which obviously isn’t correct. The most agreed upon classification is wagons must have a sedan variant, a hatched or hinged fifth door, and four structural pillars.
Station wagon is also an American term and goes all the way back to when they were horse drawn. These wagons were used to pick up passengers from train stations. They had extended areas to store the luggage from traveling passengers. The Ford Model T had a station wagon variant and was used for exactly the same type of work. They are not a recent concept.
They also have many names depending on where they are in the world. In the UK they are called “estates,” and in other parts of Europe they are called “tourings.” Even manufacturers have their own designations, like Audi, that calls the station wagon the “Avant.” It can get confusing.
When you think of a station wagon now, many people have the image of Clark Griswold’s family truckster in their heads. The vintage green monster, clad in wooded panels, was based off the 1979 Ford LTD Country Squier and was purposely made to reflect the negative stereotypes of the era.
The station wagon gained popularity in the 60’s and 70’s with the nuclear family buying them for road trips and basic transportation. They were roomy, powerful, and comfortable. Most had jump seats in the rear that allowed a third row of passengers facing the back of the car. Probably not the safest place to be in a rear collision, but it was a practical addition.
In the 80s, car trends changed as quickly as manufacturers could adapt to consumer sentiment. Lee Iacocca released the Dodge Caravan, which was the beginning of the end of the station wagon in the United States. It had every advantage to the wagon, but was stylish, more economical, and easier to park. A decade or so later, the SUV would finish off them both. Currently, the SUV is starting to decline due to crossover style car designs, which are really tall station wagons if you squint hard enough. The circle continues!
There are still a handful of wagons in production, however none of them wear a badge from Ford, GM, or Stellantis (formerly Chrysler). Most true station wagons I see are from Subaru or from a European car company. They still sell many wagons in Europe, where fuel and safety standards are tighter than they are in the states. Wagon variants are also coveted by collectors due to their rarity and styling. There are even Facebook groups idolizing the body style.
For me, I love station wagons. They are still sporty but can carry larger items I would normally have to borrow a truck for. They are easy to load at the grocery or hardware store as well. I have owned many, and currently have my e30 BMW Touring (don’t dare call it a station wagon) on the road for weekend drives. It also gets a functional workout when we need bulky items from Lowe’s or Costco.
As for me, I will see you on the road, sporting five doors!
