Car shoppers who need enough space to whisk kids to and from school and practice with a homemade furniture project in the back are limited to fewer options than the rest of us. However, just because potential owners need space doesn’t mean they have to go for a monstrous SUV; a wagon could tick all the boxes for a shopper in 2023. Check out some versatile and capable station wagons in 2023, like the Subaru Outback or Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. 

Do station wagons still exist?

Station wagons still exist, though most fans refer to them simply as ‘wagons.’ These five wagons might be a great SUV alternative for fans who want to ditch the big beasts.  

• Volvo V60 Cross Country
• Subaru Outback
• Audi A6 allroad
• Audi RS 6 Avant
• Porsche Taycan

Many of the highest-scoring station wagons are pricier products of premium marques, like the Porsche Taycan and Audi A6 allroad. However, some wagons, like the Subaru Outback, are budget-friendly SUV alternatives with loads of cargo space and even all-wheel drive to conquer challenging driving conditions.

What is the difference between a V60 and a V60 Cross Country?

The 2023 Volvo V60 includes a Cross Country version, which takes the V60’s wagon practicality and adds light off-roading credentials. The Cross Country’s ride height and AWD system make the Volvo model more adept at handling inclement weather and conditions like shallow mud. 

Of course, the V60 Cross Country is more of a car than a trail-smashing off-roader, so drivers shouldn’t attack serious off-road conditions with confidence. For instance, while TrueCar gave the V60 a top spot on its list of wagons ahead of cheaper options like the Subaru Outback, the Volvo model is “more at home on the road” than off.  

Does the Subaru Outback look like a station wagon?

Unsurprisingly, the Subaru Outback holds an advantageous place in the station wagon conversation. The 2023 Outback starts at around $29,620, less than half as much as an Audi A6 allroad. Moreover, the Outback’s dependable AWD and 32.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity make it a solid SUV alternative. 

Is the Audi allroad worth it?

The Audi A4 allroad and A6 allroad offer confidence-inspiring ground clearance, and the automaker’s AWD laurels mean sure-footed driving in inclement weather and moderate off-roading. Moreover, Audi says the A6 allroad’s 335-horsepower six-cylinder mill can fling it to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.  

Why is the RS 6 Avant so special?

For fans unfamiliar with Audi’s rocketship sleeper station wagon, the 2023 RS 6 Avant packs a volcanic 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 heart. The last time Car and Driver tested one, it hit sixty in an organ-rearranging 3.1 seconds.

Of course, owners will have to contend with the model’s price; it starts at around $122,995. That’s four times the starting point of a 2023 Subaru Outback. Of course, it’s like comparing apples and face-melting oranges.   

What is the Porsche station wagon called?

Porsche makes wagon variations of its Panamera sedan and its stunning all-electric Taycan. The Taycan Cross Turismo, which ditches a characteristic Porsche flat-six soundtrack for near-silent torque reserves, is a balance of station wagon practicality, an EV’s zero tailpipe emissions, and electrifying thrust. 

Is a wagon like the Subaru Outback worth it?

Potential owners who want practical cargo volume without the large, inconvenient size of an SUV might be better off considering a wagon. Moreover, station wagon options like the Subaru Outback or Audi A6 allroad combine award-winning qualities with AWD to take on challenging drives and climates.