A Luxury Wagon Is Better Than an SUV; Here’s Why
Before the burst in popularity of SUVs, Americans were in love with the station wagon. It was the quintessential family vehicle, and most automakers offered at least one in each class; from compact and mid-size models to full-size land barges, there was something for everyone. Sadly, the wagon is nearly an extinct species in the U.S. There are just four wagon models offered by three automakers: the BMW M5 Touring, Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain and Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon, and Volvo V60 Cross Country. You could once add Subaru into this mix, but its popular Outback and Forester are now SUVs. A Toyota Crown Signia might qualify, but Toyota avoids calling it a wagon.
All the traditional wagons left are sadly expensive, premium vehicles. But even with the small number of wagons available for U.S. buyers, wagons are still a superior vehicle. Here are a few reasons why, using the AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon as an example versus other Mercedes-Benz SUVs.
Related: The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon Is (Almost) Everything I Want in a Car: Review
Superior Cargo Space
A wagon can nearly match or beat the cargo capacity of some SUVs. The E53 wagon is one of them. With 33.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second row, the E53 wagon has more cargo space than the Mercedes GLA, GLB, GLC/GLC Coupe and GLE Coupe. The regular GLE beats it, but with 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space, it’s basically tied with the E53 wagon.
Fold the E53 wagon’s second row and cargo volume grows to 64.6 cubic feet, beating all the aforementioned SUVs except for the GLE with its 74.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space.
It’s Just an Elongated Car
Unlike SUVs, a wagon isn’t trying too hard to be something it isn’t. Many SUVs use car-based platforms, but a wagon is literally just a long-roof sedan. Viewed from the front, the E53 wagon is identical to any other E-Class sedan, specifically the E53 sedan. Their dimensions are nearly identical: The E53 wagon and E53 sedan have the same wheelbase and are similar in overall length and width. That also means the wagon is easy to drive since it’s basically a sedan; there’s no learning curve for things like maneuverability or parking. This also pays off in the driving experience overall. Larger SUVs can experience body roll when cornering and may dive under hard braking due to their higher centers of gravity; a lower wagon like the E53 has nearly none of those problems.
Downsides
Wagons do have their drawbacks — like availability and cost. As mentioned, wagons are nearly nonexistent in the U.S. market, and while the V60 Cross Country is the least expensive, its starting price is over $53,000 (all prices include destination).
The E-Class wagons are pricey, as well. The “cheapest” is the E-Class All-Terrain at $81,450. If you want the performance of the E53 wagon, it’ll cost you $96,650 to start, though options can push that much higher. The E53 wagon test vehicle seen here was optioned to over $120,000. The M5 Touring is the priciest wagon available and is the sole wagon BMW offers in the U.S.; it starts at $129,350, including a gas-guzzler tax.
Like the M5 Touring, the E53 is a performance vehicle and is not as fuel-efficient as you’d think, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. Blame the powerful AMG tune of the E53 wagon’s six-cylinder engine, which makes 577 horsepower.
So if you’re in the market for a premium SUV, take a look at a premium wagon, too. While the models on sale like the E53 Hybrid Wagon may hit your wallet harder initially and on fuel costs, you’ll be behind the wheel of a vehicle that is superior in nearly every other aspect — and you’ll quickly see why Americans used to be in love with them.
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