For 60 years, Australians were in love with wagons.
Back in the day, they accounted for nearly half of all Holden Commodore sales, continuing a trend that really exploded with the FE Station Sedan of 1956.
And why not? Way more practical than sedans, wagons doubled-up as workhorses and weekend family getaway machines, especially in the era before cheap air travel.
But cars continued evolving in the 1980s – first as hatchbacks and then as raised wagons – before mutating into the fusion of both, known nowadays with gross inaccuracy as the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). There’s nothing remotely athletic about a Toyota Prado.
Now, wagon numbers are waning. A decade ago, there were nearly 40 different models to choose from. Today, that number is down to a dozen and dropping.
They’re less affordable too. In 2013 a Skoda Fabia wagon started from just $16,990 (approximately $21,400 in 2023 money), a Hyundai i30 Tourer from $22,990 ($28,900 inflation-adjusted) and a Holden Commodore Sportwagon from $36,990 ($46,500 adjusted).
So, what are the cheapest, sexiest, fastest and roomiest wagons in Australia in 2023, as well as the most economical and electric? Keep reading.
CHEAPEST:
Mazda 6 G25 Sport
Cargo volume: 506L – 1648L
From $36,840 before on-road costs
Fun fact: the very same make, model and grade Mazda6 Sport wagon – bar minor cosmetic updates (with more equipment, safety and a prettier dashboard nowadays) – cost $43,700 adjusted for inflation back in 2013. Inflation buster!
One of only two non-European brands to choose from, today’s Mazda6 G25 Sport represents great value given its medium size, generous specification, terrific engine and engaging drive.
Mind you, it only costs $50 less than the VW Golf 110TSI DSG, which happens to hit the Mazda for a six for modernity, fuel economy (by 1.1 litres per 100km, at 5.9L/100km – though sipping more-expensive premium unleaded) and cargo capacity (by 105L).
Yet both are beaten for frugality and practicality by an even bigger wagon, this time from the Czech Republic…
MOST ECONOMICAL:
Skoda Octavia 110TSI Style
Cargo volume: 640L – 1700L
From $42,490 before on-road costs
Now in its fourth generation of VW stewardship (though the nameplate actually dates back to 1959), Octavia is closely related to the Golf 8, yet is pitched as a larger and more value-packed proposition.
Yet, despite being physically bigger, the 110TSI Style averages just 5.7L/100km, making it the most economical new wagon on paper in Australia today – even if it’s by a slim margin.
Smart, spacious and smooth, the Octavia makes for a pleasant family car. But the Skoda is no longer the bargain it once was, with the (admittedly lesser-equipped) defunct Ambition grade starting from just $36,490 two years ago.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK:
Subaru WRX Sportswagon
Cargo volume: 492L – 1430L
From $49,990 before on-road costs
Ignore the naysayers. The all-new successor to the unloved Levorg, today’s WRX Sportswagon is a real gem, providing a level of interaction missing from the iconic series for decades.
Turbo punch, superb handling and a settled ride are just some of this practical yet affordable pocket-rocket’s attributes. The load area isn’t massive, but at least you can justify it to your family thanks to all that space out back.
In other words, the fun’s back in WRX, making the Sportswagon the best bang-for-your-buck wagon in Australia right now.
BIGGEST BOOTY:
Skoda Superb 162TSI Style
Cargo volume: 660L – 1950L
From $58,990 before on-road costs
Just look at it. At nearly 4.9 metres long, the Superb is now the only large family wagon left on sale in Australia. Once it would have competed against the likes of the Commodore, Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi Magna wagons.
Most closely related to the VW Passat, the front-wheel drive 162TSI Style is speedy as well as spacious, thanks to a 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-pot turbo, managing the 0-100km/h sprint time in just 7.1 seconds, on the way to a 243km/h top speed. Wet-road axle tramp fetishists, look no further.
Living up to its name for sheer practicality, Superb offers nearly 2000L of cargo volume in max-load mode, along with a 2000kg braked towing capacity – while also capable of averaging 7.3L/100km. If only it didn’t cost $60K.
MOST STYLISH:
Peugeot 508 GT wagon
Cargo volume: 530L – 1780L
From $65,657 before on-road costs
Beauty is subjective, of course, but there’s no denying how striking the 508 wagon is.
From its low-slung silhouette and sharp lines to frameless door glass, the petite Peugeot is certainly a standout compared to more-utilitarian rivals like the Passat. It’s also now premium priced, taking the fight up to the VW Arteon – another handsome wagon.
Note that while the GT’s interior is plush and futuristic, space is a bit tight, so try before you buy. Otherwise, the slick, smooth and speedy 508 is quite easy to fall in love with.
If this all floats your boat but you’re on a tighter budget, then please consider the closely-related Citroen C5 X Shine, that’s a bit of a bargain right now from $57,670. Boasting a super-comfy ride, it literally steps up by offering 194mm of ground clearance (against the Peugeot’s 142mm), technically making it a crossover, just quietly. But you’d never know by looking at it.
FASTEST:
Alpina B3
Cargo volume: 500L – 1510L
From $155,900 before on-road costs
This one’s tight, but the surprise is that BMW tuner Alpina offers an alternative to the masterful M3 Competition Touring in the form of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo B3, which kicks out an astonishing 340kW of power and 700Nm of torque.
The result? Australia’s fastest official standard wagon, capable of 300km/h. That’s 50km/h faster than the M3, though the latter is 0.3s faster to 100km/h at just 3.6s.
The Alpina beats some other big names as well, including the most expensive wagon in Australia, Porsche’s $326K-plus Panamera GTS Sport Touring AWD (3.9s/292km/h), our quickest EV wagon, the Porsche Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo (a rapid 3.3s/250km/h) and one of the most underrated, the Audi RS6 Avant (3.6s/280km/h).
Not bad for a 3 Series wagon in drag.
MOST ELECTRIC:
Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo
Cargo volume: 405L – 1171L/446L – 1212L
From $178,800 before on-road costs
Even though there are plenty of EV SUVs, there’s only one electric wagon on sale in Australia right now. But it’s a corker.
Porsche’s first battery electric vehicle, the Taycan is also available in a sleek and stylish wagon known as the ST, for Sport Turismo.
While not hugely practical, some say the latter looks better than its sedan counterpart.
There’s choice aplenty as well. Buyers can pick the relatively sedate Taycan 4 ST, with a 350kW/500Nm electric motor set-up for 0-100km/h in 5.1s and a 469km range, or step up to the 500kW/850Nm Turbo upgrade with a 3.3s 0-100 and 472km range. That last one will set you back nearly $300K, though…
Finally, that difference in cargo capacity is due in part to which audio system is fitted, apparently.
Keyword: If the wagon's rockin'... the cheapest, sexiest, quickest, most economical, biggest-booty-ed and funnest wagons left in Australia - including one very fast electric car