5 Fast Wagons That Hit 60 MPH in 4.6 Seconds or Less

The term “station wagon” originates from early horse-drawn vehicles that were quite literally designed to transport people and their luggage from train stations to their final destinations.

The name transitioned to the automotive world where it was used to refer to vehicles that carried both passengers and cargo. Essentially sedans with rooflines that extended all the way to the rear of the vehicle, station wagons were very popular in the US during the 1960s and 1970s.

They were the ultimate family hauler, with plenty of space for road trips, and practical enough for daily tasks, too. The rise of SUVs have pushed station wagons to the sidelines, but the ones that remain are arguably the best all-rounders out there. We picked five that should cure you of SUV fever forever:

Audi RS 6 Avant performance



Audi

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Make and Model


Audi RS 6 Avant performance


Engine


4.0-liter twin-turbo V8


Power


621 hp


Torque


627 lb-ft


0-60 mph


3.3 sec


Cargo space behind second row


30 cu ft


Base MSRP excluding taxes


$130,700


The Audi RS 6 Avant performance combines stunning good looks with plenty of practicality and enough performance to scare some supercars. Its 621-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 may not be aided by a hybrid system (although the 2027 model will be), and in this case it’s all the better for it.

It’s the perfect one-car solution for someone who needs a family vehicle during the week and a sports car for the weekends. Options like the RS sport suspension and ceramic brakes enhance track ability, while the available Bang & Olufsen sound system makes your commute that much more pleasurable. At $130,700 before options, the RS6 is certainly not cheap, but you are getting two cars for the price of one (expensive) one.

BMW M5 Touring



BMW, Fabian Kirchbauer Photography

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Make and Model


BMW M5 Touring


Engine


4.4-liter Twin Turbo V-8 + Plug-in Hybrid


Power


717 hp combined


Torque


738 lb-ft combined


0-60 mph


3.5 sec


Cargo space behind second row


27.2 cu ft


Base MSRP excluding taxes


$125,300


The latest BMW M5 now combines hybrid power with its potent 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, and even though it weighs as much as a small house, it feels as light and responsive as a car half its size.

The available Touring body style brings sports car-level performance together with the versatility of a wagon, and thanks to the standard M xDrive all-wheel drive system, and up to 24 miles of all-electric range, it is a superb daily driver, too.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo



Porsche

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Make and Model


Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo


Engine


Electric


Power


938 hp


Torque


774 lb-ft


0-60 mph


2.4 sec


Cargo space behind second row


14.3 cu ft


Base MSRP excluding taxes


$211,700


Porsche has been going through some tough times lately, and part of its strategy to turn things around has been to cut down some of its less popular models and body styles. Unfortunately, that means the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo will not return for 2027.

This all-electric missile is capable of blasting from 0-60 mph in a breathtaking 2.4 seconds, and it backs its performance up with equally impressive handling abilities. We think its wagon-shaped rear end is rather cool, but low demand, and a high base price have spelled the end for this quirky offering.

Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon


View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Make and Model


Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon


Engine


3.0-liter inline-6 turbo + Plug-in Hybrid


Power


577 – 604 hp combined


Torque


553 lb-ft combined


0-60 mph


3.8 – 4.0 sec


Cargo space behind second row


33.1 cu ft


Base MSRP excluding taxes


$95,200


Compared to the ballistic missiles we have seen so far, the Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon almost seems tame. But a 0-60mph time of under 4.0-seconds is hardly tardy, and with over 33 cubic feet of cargo space it is also the most practical yet.

Being a plug-in hybrid means that you can also cruise along silently for up to 41 miles between charges, perfect for the school run. When the mood takes you, you can engage the optional Race Start function to access 604-hp and blow away those pesky sports cars.

Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain


View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Make and Model


Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain


Engine


3.0-liter Inline-6 turbo with 48-V Mild-Hybrid


Power


375 hp


Torque


369 lb-ft


0-60 mph


4.6 sec


Cargo space behind second row


33.1 cu ft


Base MSRP excluding taxes


$80,000


We end of with another Mercedes wagon, and while this one is the ‘slowest’ of them all, the E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain may well be the best real-world wagon you can buy. It delivers plenty of performance, has decent fuel economy, plenty of interior and cargo space, and can tackle mild off-road trails.

At $80,000 it’s priced to compete with SUVs that are slower and far less dynamically capable, without offering appreciably more interior space.

Station wagons may be a dying breed, and their premium pricing and marketplace positioning here have made them even tougher to attain, but if you can afford one, a station wagon still offers the best combination of practicality and performance out there.

Continue reading...