This time, we’ll be introducing a ranking of the best station wagons for 2024 (Reiwa 6). We’ll be focusing on models currently on sale. Some models are undergoing aggressive new model changes and full model changes.
Currently, there aren’t many station wagons on sale, so if you’re considering buying one or switching to another car model, be sure to check out this ranking.
What kind of car is a station wagon?
Originally, station wagons were sedans with the luggage compartment and rear seats connected to make it easier to carry luggage. Compared to sedans, they are vehicles for people who want more ease of use in everyday life, but also the same stable driving performance as sedans. Of course, like sedans, the rear seats have hinged doors. Station wagons are attractive vehicles that combine practicality, driving performance, and design.
What is the appeal of a station wagon?
- The stylish design and flowing form based on the sedan give it a sporty and sophisticated impression.
- It has excellent driving performance, a low center of gravity and stability, making it comfortable even for long-distance driving and high-speed driving.
- It’s fun to drive, and its excellent handling inherited from sedans will satisfy driving enthusiasts.
- The spacious and versatile luggage space can easily accommodate large or long items, and folding down the rear seats will increase the cargo capacity even further.
- It can accommodate both multiple passengers and cargo, and although it is basically a five-seater, it can also accommodate multiple passengers and cargo.
- They are fuel efficient, have a low ride height and less air resistance, so they get better fuel economy than SUVs and minivans.
- The vehicle is low so it can fit into many multi-storey car parks.
- The low center of gravity provides stability and a comfortable ride.
- Compared to SUVs and minivans, maintenance costs such as tires and taxes are lower.
Who is this recommended for?
- Recommended for those who enjoy driving, the station wagon’s excellent driving performance will satisfy driving enthusiasts.
- Recommended for those who want to carry a lot of luggage, it has a large luggage space and is ideal for outdoor activities and leisure.
- It is recommended for those who want to combine large passenger capacity with cargo capacity, and is perfect for families and active people.
1st place: Subaru New Levorg
Subaru will fully redesign the second-generation Levorg, announcing it on October 15th, 2020, and releasing it on November 26th. Pre-orders will begin on August 20th, 2020. The Levorg STI Sport will also be released. The exterior of the second-generation Levorg will retain its original concept.
Levorg
Levorg
The power unit is the newly developed fourth-generation 1.8L horizontally opposed turbo engine, CB18 type . It uses the next-generation platform, SUBARU GLOBAL PLATFORM (SGP) . It fully adopts Subaru’s new design philosophy, “DYNAMIC × SOLID,” and adopts the new design concept “BOLDER,” which more boldly highlights the value of each vehicle, while also significantly improving the quality of the interior and exterior. It is equipped with an electric parking brake and hold system , as well as an 11.6-inch full HD large screen display , just like the new Legacy B4 and Legacy Outback . It is also equipped with a Subaru’s first digital cockpit with a 12.3-inch full LCD meter (depending on grade). It also features a hands-free open power rear gate. It is equipped with the next-generation EyeSight X.
levorg
New Levorg specs
| Specifications | New Levorg |
|---|---|
| full length | 4,755mm |
| Overall width | 1,795mm |
| Overall height | 1,500mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670mm |
| 1.8L DOHC Direct Injection Turbo “DIT” | |
| Maximum power | 130kW (177ps)/5,200-5,600rpm |
| Maximum torque | 300Nm (30.6kgfm)/1,600-3,600rpm |
| transmission | Reartronic (with manual mode) |
| Drive system | AWD (4WD) |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people |
| Vehicle weight | 1,550-1,580 kg |
| JC08 mode fuel economy | 16.5-16.6km/L |
| WLTC mode fuel economy | 13.6-13.7km/L |
For more information on the new Levorg, click here
Subaru’s new Levorg, a second-generation model, will be released on November 26, 2020.
Subaru New Levorg STI Sport Released November 26, 2020
Subaru’s new Levorg C-type, partially improved, will be released on November 24, 2022.
2nd place: Toyota New Corolla Touring
The Auris has been fully redesigned and is being sold in Japan as the Corolla Sport, and the Corolla and Corolla Touring will undergo minor changes for the Japanese market, replacing the Corolla Fielder and Corolla Axio. Sales will begin in the US and Europe in spring 2019, and will be rolled out in more than 150 countries and regions around the world, including China from mid-2019. Specially designed sedans and wagons optimized for Japan’s road conditions will be released in 2019.
Corolla Touring
Corolla Touring
Toyota New Corolla Touring Body Size
The new Corolla Touring is 96mm longer, 50mm wider, and 40mm longer than the Corolla Fielder, making it the most spacious rear seat in its class. Its greatest feature is its luggage compartment, which has a capacity of 598 liters under normal conditions.
| size | New Corolla Touring | Corolla Fielder |
|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,495mm | 4,400-4,410mm |
| Overall width | 1,745mm | 1,695mm |
| Overall height | 1,460mm | 1,475-1,510mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640mm | 2,600mm |
The new Japanese model, the Corolla Touring, is 120mm longer, 45mm wider, and has a 60mm longer wheelbase than the Corolla Sport, making it the most spacious rear seat in its class.
| size | Corolla Touring | Corolla Sport comparison |
|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,495mm | +120mm |
| Overall width | 1,745mm | -45mm |
| Overall height | 1,460mm | 0mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640mm | 0mm |
corolla filter
corolla filter
Corolla Touring
Corolla Touring
By extending the overall length and wheelbase, the second row and luggage compartment are larger than the new Corolla Sport. Development is based on the technology used in the new Prius , which was launched on December 9, 2015, and is a size larger than the previous model, moving from the Vitz-based B platform to the C segment . It could be described as a Prius station wagon. By adopting a newly developed platform called TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) (GA-C platform) , the new car offers a larger interior space than the previous model. The overall height is slightly lower than the previous model, further lowering the center of gravity. The body size is also slightly larger than the previous model, resulting in a more spacious interior and a more luxurious interior. The new car employs the THS II with a reduction mechanism, which combines an improved inline-four DOHC 1.8L engine “2ZR-FXE” from the fourth-generation new Prius with a motor. The hybrid system employs a smaller THS II, and significant changes have been made, including the battery location.
Toyota’s new Corolla Touring undergoes major improvements
Toyota will make major improvements (minor changes) to the sedan model Corolla and the station wagon Corolla Touring, releasing them on October 3, 2022 .
The exterior design has been changed, and the meter display for the higher grade model has been upgraded from a 7-inch to a 12.3-inch TFT display.
The display audio has been enlarged. The 7-inch display audio has been discontinued. It is now the 8-inch display audio and the 10.5-inch display audio plus .
The navigation system has been changed to the new “Connected Navi” system used in the new “Noah Voxy” and other models .
It is equipped with the latest preventive safety package, “Toyota Safety Sense,” which adds advanced functions and improves functionality .
Changes to the engine lineup. ( 1.5L direct injection Dynamic Force Engine M15A type ) ( Improved inline 4-cylinder DOHC 1.8L engine “2ZR-FXE” motor )
| Specifications | Corolla Touring Hybrid |
Corolla Touring |
|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,495mm | 4,495mm |
| Overall width | 1,745mm | 1,745mm |
| Overall height | 1,460mm | 1,460mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640mm | 2,640mm |
| engine | Inline 4 DOHC 1.8L + motor ( series-parallel hybrid with reduction mechanism ) |
1.5L inline 3-cylinder direct injection engine “Dynamic Force Engine” |
| Maximum power | 72kW (98ps) / 5,200rpm |
88kW (120ps) / 6,600rpm |
| Maximum torque | 142Nm (14.5kgm) / 3,600rpm |
145Nm (14.8kgfm) / 4,800-5,200rpm |
| Front motor maximum output |
70kW (95PS) | – |
| Front motor maximum torque |
185Nm (18.9kgfm) | – |
| Rear motor maximum output |
30kW (41PS) | – |
| Rear motor maximum torque |
84Nm (8.6kgfm) | – |
| System Output | 103kW (140ps) | – |
transmission |
Electric continuously variable transmission |
Direct Shift-CVT |
| Drive system | 2WD E-Four (4WD) |
2WD |
| Vehicle weight | – | – |
| Passenger capacity | – | – |
| WLCT mode fuel economy | 27.3km/L~ 29.5km/L (2WD) 24.9km/L~ 27.8km/L (4WD) |
17.8km/L to 19.1km/L (2WD) |
| price | 2,460,500 yen 3,048,000 yen |
2,070,000 yen 2,500,000 yen |
For more information on the new Corolla Wagon, click here
Toyota’s new Corolla Touring, Japan model, released in July 2019
3. Volkswagen Golf Variant
The Volkswagen Golf Variant is a station wagon version of Volkswagen’s flagship model, the Golf. It combines spacious luggage space with excellent driving performance, achieving both practicality and sportiness. It underwent a full model change for the first time in about eight years and was released in Japan on July 28, 2021.
The new Golf Variant’s exterior design has evolved into a sporty style characterized by optimized aerodynamics, an impressive front end, and a powerful shoulder line. Its overall length is 4,640 mm, its overall width is 1,790 mm, its overall height is 1,485 mm, and its wheelbase is 2,670 mm. The luggage room has been extended by 65 mm, increasing its capacity by 22 liters compared to the previous model.
Like the new Golf, the 1.0TSI and 1.5TSI engines are equipped with a mild hybrid system that combines a 48V belt-driven starter generator and a lithium-ion battery, and are introduced as the 1.0eTSI (81kW/110PS) and 1.5eTSI (110kW/150PS) engines, respectively.
High level beyond the class
Numerous high-level driver assistance systems that exceed those in their class are standard equipment. For example, the first-ever “Travel Assist” all-speed driving assistance system for driving in the same lane operates at speeds of 0 to 210 km/h. The “Emergency Assist” emergency stopping assistance system also provides a warning sound and an indicator light in the door mirror housing to alert passengers when they open the door to exit the vehicle and detect an obstacle such as a vehicle or bicycle approaching from behind.
Additionally, the wheelbase has been extended by 35mm, providing more legroom in the rear seats. Maximum rear legroom has increased from 903mm to 941mm. When loaded up to the top of the rear seat backs, luggage space is 611L. With the rear seats folded down, that space increases to 1,642L, boasting class-leading cargo capacity.
The latest generation Volkswagen infotainment system with built-in communication module and digital meter cluster “Digital Cockpit Pro” are standard equipment.
Volkswagen’s new Golf Variant will be fully redesigned and released in Japan on July 28, 2021.
4. BMW 3 Series Touring
The BMW 3 Series Touring is a station wagon model of the 3 Series, BMW’s signature sports sedan. Combining sporty driving performance with high practicality, it is popular with people with active lifestyles who want to enjoy sporty driving while also being able to carry a lot of luggage.
The new 3 Series sedan/touring has undergone minor changes, and the Japanese model was announced and released on September 20, 2022.
The exterior design of the new BMW 3 Series has been dramatically updated using the latest BMW design language. It features newly designed headlights and a BMW kidney grille . The latest LED headlights with daytime running light function create a sharper impression, while the traditional BMW kidney grille with double bars and a wider front apron create a more powerful design. The rear design features thinner, horizontal lines for the rear combination lights and tailpipe diameters of 90mm or 100mm, creating a powerful impression.
BMW new 3 Series minor change interior
The interior design of the new BMW 3 Series features the latest curved “BMW Curved Display,” which integrates a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch Control Display , achieving excellent visibility and ease of operation. The transmission shift lever has been eliminated, leaving the area around the BMW-specific iDrive Controller clean and modern. With the elimination of the shift lever, paddle shifters are now standard on all models.
BMW New 3 Series Minor Change Japan Model Released September 20, 2022
summary
Station wagons are actually in high demand. In areas like Tokyo where the only option is a multi-story parking garage, sedans have limited cargo space and can be difficult to choose. However, station wagons have a low vehicle height like a sedan, but they have a large cargo space, so many people choose them.
However, as of 2024, there are very few car models to choose from, and the two models mentioned above are the main options for Japanese cars.
