Remember when station wagons were the go-to family car, symbolizing both style and practicality? While they once dominated the roads, many of these iconic models have now drifted out of style. In this list, we’ll take a look back at 20 station wagons that were once celebrated but are now largely forgotten.
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Volvo 240 Wagon
The Volvo 240 Wagon is perhaps one of the most recognizable station wagons ever produced. Known for its boxy design, this vehicle epitomized the practicality and safety for which Volvo became famous. It featured a sturdy 4-cylinder engine and an interior designed with family comfort in mind. Despite its legendary status, the rise of SUVs and crossovers has pushed the 240 Wagon out of the spotlight, making it a nostalgic memory rather than a current favorite.
Chevrolet Caprice Estate
The Chevrolet Caprice Estate was a full-sized station wagon that dominated the roads in the 1970s and 1980s. With its V8 engine and woodgrain paneling, the Caprice Estate was a symbol of suburban life. It offered ample space for families, with three rows of seating and a cavernous cargo area. However, as tastes shifted towards more fuel-efficient and compact vehicles, the Caprice Estate fell out of favor.
Ford Country Squire
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The Ford Country Squire was an American icon, known for its distinctive woodgrain sides and large, luxurious interior. It was the go-to family car during the 1950s through the 1980s, offering powerful V8 engines and a smooth ride. The rise of minivans and SUVs in the 1990s, however, led to its decline, marking the end of an era for the classic American station wagon.
Buick Roadmaster Estate
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The Buick Roadmaster Estate was a luxury station wagon that combined power with elegance. Equipped with a Corvette-derived LT1 V8 engine, it was a sleeper hit among enthusiasts. Its spacious interior and signature woodgrain exterior made it a popular choice for families who wanted both comfort and style. Yet, by the late 1990s, it had become a relic of the past, as more modern vehicles took its place.
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
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The Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser is best remembered for its distinctive raised roof with skylights, providing passengers a panoramic view. This feature, combined with its powerful V8 engine, made it a favorite among families and car enthusiasts alike. Despite its unique design, the Vista Cruiser couldn’t withstand the changing automotive trends, leading to its discontinuation and a gradual fade from popularity.
AMC Eagle Wagon
The AMC Eagle Wagon was ahead of its time, combining the practicality of a station wagon with the ruggedness of all-wheel drive, making it a precursor to modern crossovers. It was a versatile vehicle that could handle off-road conditions as well as city streets. However, AMC’s struggles in the 1980s led to the Eagle Wagon’s decline, and it ultimately became a forgotten chapter in automotive history.
Chrysler Town & Country Wagon
The Chrysler Town & Country Wagon was a luxury station wagon that stood out for its upscale features and powerful V8 engine. It was one of the last American station wagons to be produced before the minivan took over as the family vehicle of choice. Despite its high level of comfort and utility, the Town & Country Wagon couldn’t keep up with the changing market and was eventually phased out.
Pontiac Safari
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The Pontiac Safari was known for its sleek design and powerful performance, especially in its earlier iterations. As one of the more stylish station wagons of its time, the Safari offered a blend of luxury and utility. However, as Pontiac’s brand identity shifted, and with the rise of SUVs, the Safari became less relevant, eventually disappearing from showrooms.
Dodge Magnum
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The Dodge Magnum brought a modern, aggressive look to the station wagon segment in the mid-2000s. With its available HEMI V8 engine, it was more of a muscle car than a traditional wagon. However, its bold design and powerful performance couldn’t save it from the decline in station wagon popularity, and it was discontinued after just a few years on the market.
Subaru Loyale Wagon
The Subaru Loyale Wagon was a practical, reliable vehicle that embodied the rugged simplicity for which Subaru became known. With its available four-wheel drive and durable construction, it was a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and those living in harsh climates. Despite its virtues, the Loyale Wagon was eventually overshadowed by more modern Subaru models, leaving it in the past.
Mercury Colony Park
Mercury Colony Park was a full-sized luxury station wagon that shared much of its DNA with the Ford Country Squire. With its woodgrain trim and plush interior, it was aimed at buyers looking for a premium family vehicle. However, as Mercury as a brand declined and SUVs rose in popularity, the Colony Park was left behind, marking the end of an era for luxury station wagons.
Ford LTD Country Squire
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The Ford LTD Country Squire was an evolution of the Country Squire, maintaining the iconic woodgrain panels but adding more modern amenities and comfort. It was the epitome of a family car in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite its success, changing consumer preferences led to its eventual demise, as the demand for large, wood-paneled wagons waned.
Toyota Cressida Wagon
The Toyota Cressida Wagon offered a combination of Japanese reliability and luxury, appealing to those who wanted a more refined station wagon. It featured a smooth inline-six engine and a comfortable, well-appointed interior. However, as Toyota shifted its focus to more modern sedans and SUVs, the Cressida Wagon was discontinued, becoming a forgotten gem in Toyota’s lineup.
Plymouth Volare Wagon
The Plymouth Volare Wagon was a compact station wagon that gained popularity in the late 1970s for its affordability and practicality. It featured a range of engine options, from a basic inline-six to a more powerful V8. Despite its initial success, the Volare Wagon’s outdated design and growing competition from newer vehicles led to its decline in the 1980s.
BMW E34 Touring
The BMW E34 Touring was a station wagon that combined the performance and luxury of a BMW sedan with the practicality of a wagon. With its range of powerful engines and advanced features for its time, it appealed to driving enthusiasts who needed more cargo space. However, as SUVs became more popular, the demand for sporty station wagons like the E34 Touring dwindled.
Audi 100 Avant
The Audi 100 Avant was a pioneer in the station wagon segment, offering a blend of aerodynamic design and advanced technology. It featured Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a range of efficient engines. Despite its innovations, the 100 Avant was eventually overshadowed by newer, more versatile models in Audi’s lineup, leading to its fall from grace.
Peugeot 505 Wagon
The Peugeot 505 Wagon was a spacious and comfortable vehicle that offered a smooth ride and distinctive French styling. It was available with a range of engines, including diesel options, making it popular in Europe and parts of Africa. However, as Peugeot’s presence in the U.S. market waned and consumer preferences shifted, the 505 Wagon became a rare sight.
Saab 9-5 Wagon
The Saab 9-5 Wagon was a unique blend of Swedish engineering and quirky design, appealing to those who wanted something different from the mainstream. It featured turbocharged engines and advanced safety features, making it a favorite among Saab enthusiasts. However, Saab’s financial troubles and eventual bankruptcy led to the decline of the 9-5 Wagon, making it a relic of a bygone era.
Volkswagen Passat B5 Variant
The Volkswagen Passat B5 Variant was a well-engineered station wagon that offered a balance of performance, comfort, and practicality. It featured a range of engine options, including a turbocharged 1.8-liter and a V6, along with a spacious interior and a refined design. Despite its popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the shift towards crossovers and SUVs led to the Passat Variant’s decline in favor.
Volvo 850 T5-R Wagon
The Volvo 850 T5-R Wagon was a high-performance version of the standard 850, offering a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-five engine that delivered impressive power. It was one of the first wagons to combine practicality with sports car-like performance, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. Despite its innovative nature, the rise of SUVs and more modern performance vehicles led to its decline, making it a sought-after collector’s item today.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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