Now that they are almost extinct do we conclude station wagons are the perfect vehicle? A wagon can do most anything a pickup or SUV can without the high-riding truck-ness most think they need. Yet, as pickup and SUV sales continue to climb we are almost out of any wagons offered by manufacturers. So, to prove the point behold the 2020 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. A mouthful for sure, but worthy of such a long title. 

The fact there are any V8 wagons left to purchase new makes this a unicorn. Bangers and sixes make up what’s left of wagon offerings excepting the Mercedes-AMG wagon and Audi RS6 Avant. The fact it is fast is expected-it’s a Porsche and it’s got a V8. The classic long hood accommodates a number of engine options including a hybrid. For V8s there’s either the Turbo’s 550 hp twin-turbo V8 or the GTS 453 hp twin-turbo V8. 

The standard power for the Panamera is the 330 hp turbo V6. The eight-speed automatic transforms the power to the pavement. It’s refined yet sporting.

The worst part of the 2020 Porsche Sport Turismo is the price

We might as well get the bad news out of the way. The three versions of the Turismo available start with the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo coming in at $98,000, the GTS at $135,500, and the top-of-the-line Turbo setting one back $157,000. Yeah, those numbers suck. It’s one reason why these aren’t as common as cold weather in winter. 

If you’re thinking you’ll just wait and get one used, it is rare enough that prices will never dip too far. There will never be enough in the used car market to let you pick one up for $20,000 Panamera or even $30,000. This will always be an expensive car. Most of us will only get to know the Turismo this way; through scribes and photographers.

After seeing the Porsche Sport Turismo why aren’t all cars station wagons with sports car aesthetic?

It raises the question of why Porsche can’t make a Boxster and 911 in wagon-form? But, we know there are just not enough customers for such a beast. However, it never hurts to ask. A larger question is if the sports car aesthetic is so desirable, why doesn’t that translate to wagons? Why are boxy, truck-like SUVs the preferred aesthetic instead?

Numbers give a clear picture of the presence conveyed by the Turismo. Weight is 4,606 lbs, and the overall length is 198.9 inches. Height is a low 56 inches. That’s two inches lower than rivals Mercedes and Audi.

Why you would care about mileage with a car like this we couldn’t say. Without mashing the go-pedal too much 23 mpg is highway mileage for the Turbo Sport Turismo. The Turbo S E-Hybrid get 29 mpg

The Sport Turismo will never fool you into thinking it’s a 911, but who cares?

Top speed for the middle Turismo is 179 mph. With the Sport Chrono Package, 0-60 mph in under four seconds is some serious grunt. Rear-axle steering aids handling, though the Turismo won’t handle like a 911. 

Rear-seat headroom and legroom are surprisingly generous. There’s plenty of cargo space for seven or eight carry-on suitcases. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is easy to read if not to use. Apple CarPlay, navigation, and WiFi hotspot are all there. 

Safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane assist.

You’ll never be bluffed into thinking you’re in a 911, but you’ll also never forget this is a V8 station wagon. And that makes it almost perfect.