At this point, it should be more than obvious that if you want a car with utility and space for at least five people, but don’t wanna join the crowd of crossovers you see crammed onto the roads, your best option is to get your hands on a wagon. Once a steadfast bastion of the practical, wagons have seen a sharp decline in popularity over the last few decades, the result of an all-out assault from the tall-bodied insanity of the current SUV craze. But fear not – the wagon hasn’t gone gently into that good night, at least not yet, and we’ve assembled five top-shelf options right here for your perusal and approval.
Rather than limiting ourselves to what’s currently available, we decided to look ahead in anticipation of what’ll be in dealers in the next year or so, including both existing offerings and those that have yet to be released. As it turns out, there are a few very strong entries barreling down the pipeline right now, which means buyers will have a nice selection of premium wagons when shopping in 2017.
So what’s topping the menu? Read on to find out.
Continue reading to learn more about TopSpeed’s Top 5 Premium Wagons for 2017.
Number 5 – Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
The latest, fifth-generation Mercedes E-Class was unveiled earlier this year in Detroit, and, thankfully, the sedan got its wagon counterpart shortly thereafter. Styling-wise, the E-Class wagon takes cues from the S-Class, and basically looks like the four-door, but with a longer roofline and a hatch. And that’s a good thing, with the right combination of flash and presence, something you don’t often get with a wagon.
The E-Class also stands out thanks to its super luxurious interior, plus a suite of cutting-edge tech. U.S. customers are offered a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that’s turbocharged to 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, European customers get a few four-bangers and a few diesels.
Basically, if you wanna get all glitzy with your wagoning, this is what you want.
Read the full review here.
Number 4 – Mercedes-Benz E-Class All Terrain
While not officially on the record as a definite future model, a beefier soft-roader variant of the E-Class wagon looks increasingly likely, especially with a recent string of spy shots hitting the web.
The upgrades are aimed at prepping the standard E-Class for the task of tackling the ‘ole dusty trail, which means more ground clearance, plastic lower-body protection to ward away rocks and grime, and hopefully, additional options for the engine. Merc’s 4Matic AWD system makes the stick, while inside, you get the same luxury as before.
Read the full review here.
Number 3 – Audi A4 Allroad Quattro
Think the E-Class All Terrain is a good idea? So does Audi. In fact, the Four Ring brand was quicker to the punch when it came to offering a wagon ready to travel the unpaved stuff.
The formula is more or less the same – take a successful wagon, add a taller suspension, fortify the body panels close to the ground, and keep all that sumptuous opulence in the cabin. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, which is routed to the ground by way of Audi’s quattro AWD system.
Read the full review here.
Number 2 – BMW 5 Series Touring
The 5 Series has been a mainstay of the BMW fleet since the ‘70s, and now it looks like it’s getting a serious update for the 2017 model year. First and foremost, there’s a new platform, infused with the lightweight rigidity of aluminum and high-strength steel. It’s expected the interior will also get revised, while a huge selection of powerplant options will be available. Unfortunately, it’s not 100 percent certain the 5 Series wagon will be making it stateside, but if it does, look for it to appear sometime next year.
Read the full review here.
Number 1 – Volvo V90
Well, of course there’s a Volvo on this list, because after all, the Swedish brand was practically built on wagons. This time around, Volvo takes the top spot with its V90, a nameplate resurrected after nearly two decades on the shelf. The new model looks fantastic, using the same underpinnings and styling as the S90 sedan. Engine choices include flavors for every taste, from gas units to diesels. You can even get a 400-horsepower hybrid if you’re green and feeling frisky. Leave it to the Swedes to make wagons sexy.
Read the full review here.