The best station wagons ever

Whether new or old, station wagons rock harder than any other vehicle type out there. Wagons are the end all be all, the alpha and omega on four wheels. Their beauty is timeless; their versatility unmatched. Whether it’s a fast wagon or a slow wagon, an off road wagon or one destined for the track, there’s a wagon out there for all of us who love to drive. Who am I kidding? I’m preaching to the choir here.

Jalopnik readers already know that wagons kick ass. But we wanted to know which wagons our readers believe go that much further and stand out among the outstanding. As you might expect, Volvo was deservedly crowned the king of kings based on volume alone. Just try not to remember that Volvo wagons are dying a slow death. Oh, well. We’ll always have the Buick Roadmaster — even if it’s only to be found on overpriced local listings. We asked readers what wagons they believe are the best of all time, and these were their answers.

A version of this article originally appeared on Jalopnik.

Someone’s gotta be the smart ass, right?

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Submitted by: smalleyxb122

V70R of course! More specifically the second generation. 300hp, AWD, and a 6-speed actually available in the US this time!

Submitted by: 89islander

The last BOF wagon, a master of the road, in Blue Brothers parlance “cop motor, cop suspension, cop shocks”, can fit up to 9 passengers, and tow! The Buick Roadmaster was basically a culmination of lessons learned from all of it’s predecessors. It was easy to work on, had an appropriate amount of power to haul around all that mass, and came with wood paneling to hearken back to the old days.

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Submitted by: klone121

The 1957 Chevy Nomad:

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Combining the practicality of a wagon with the style of a two-door wrapped in that gorgeous Tri-Five sheet metal. You look at it and you imagine a surfboard rack and board on top with Beach Boys music blaring out of the radio—pure Americana.

Submitted by: the1969DodgeChargerFan

The wagon that predicted the Giant SUV craze and got a family from Chicago to California with only two fatalities. The Family Truckster.

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Submitted by: hoser68

The Volvo 245T because it’s like a wagon version of a wagon. Xzibit would approve.

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Submitted by: Margin Of Error

Camry wagon with double rear wipers. V6.

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Submitted by: moistened bint

And...

This one wins solely based on wiper count. I miss mine.

Submitted by: BunkyTheMelon

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Toyota $TM Matrix - XR trim with a manual if you’re into manuals.

No, it doesn’t have the “It Go Fast” factor or handle like a sports car. Get a sports car if you want that. It was incredibly practical and excelled where a wagon needed to excel:

Passenger room - 4 6' adults could sit comfortably with head and leg room in all positions.

Cargo - the rear seats folded flat and made a smooth, hard plastic load floor with an inset rail system from tying items down. Bonus - the front passenger seat back also folded forward into a mostly flat position with a hard back. You could easily put 8' long items like 2x4's in your vehicle and close the hatch.

It had a slightly higher than normal seating position and was available with all wheel drive.

Submitted by: Mehphisto

Posting the AMC Eagle Sport Wagon for awareness.

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Submitted by: MrMcGeein3D

My time to shine. There’s a few.

Subaru Legacy GT-B:

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90's Era Japan Bubble crazy engineering (276hp in a 1999 model is just nuts). The 2005 one was nice as well [...]

Submitted by: STIKleinWagon

The V70R is already in here…though the wrong generation. I’ll take the first gen. So I’ll submit the car I legitimately lusted after in high school. Yep…while everyone else had sports cars or pickups, I wanted a wagon. Specifically the 850R. Just look at how amazing this thing is:

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Submitted by: dolsh

And...

Volvo 850R. I came sooo close to buying one. MSRP was $38K and my FIL got them all the way down to $29,911. Wife put the kabosh on it because it was to be her DD. I mean, look at this.

Why? They’re racing a freakin’ station wagon:

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Submitted by: 900turbo

Audi RS-6 Avant (600hp and just a nuts vehicle):

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Submitted by: STIKleinWagon

And...

I’d argue the C6 RS6 Avant is the best one, for the simple fact that it came with a Lamborghini V10.

Submitted by: MrMcGeein3D

Objectively, it’s the Mercedes E63 (S) AMG Wagon of basically any generation (W211/212/213) [...]

Submitted by: GokieKS

And...

Wrong Mercedes Wagon IMO. the ol’ 300TD was industructible, available with a manual, and came with matching hub caps. Just look at this baby blue one.

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Submitted by: klone121

I cannot believe nobody has mentioned what is clearly the best answer - DODGE MAGNUM!

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Submitted by: vinny68

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Go big or go home. Between the full cargo area behind the front-facing third row and the power clamshell tailgate, the early to mid 70s Chevrolet Impala is the King of Wagons.

Submitted by: Along with Martin, Dutch Gunderson, Lana and Sally Decker

And...

Nice, but I think Olds designed the better barge.

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Submitted by: MichaelJordan’sHitlerMustache

Even Rally legends get older, have kids, are bit more responsible but never grown. The Evo 8/9 wagons are my pick, the only crossover you need =)

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Submitted by: darthspartan117

The other Swede. Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon.

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Submitted by: thisismyid2

And...

saab way too far down this list.

Submitted by: Stink E. Jones