These Cars Should Be Turned Into Wagons

Andy Kalmowitz

September 30, 2024 at 9:00 AM·6 min read

We’re car enthusiasts, of course, we think wagons are God’s gift to us and every single vehicle should have a low, long roof. Sadly though, that’s not the case. In fact, the wagon is a dying breed as more folks switch to SUVs and crossovers. It’s what brought me to our question from last week.

I wanted to know what non-wagons you would, well, turn into wagons. We’ve got a lot of great entrants here — cars from all over the spectrum. We’ve got coupes, sedans, electric vehicles, convertibles and even some crossovers that should just be lower. Hell, there are even some pickup trucks on here. I love the creativity. I really do.

If I had but one wish, it would be that at least a few of these cars actually make it into production, but I’m a realist. I know that’s almost certainly never going to happen. So, unless some sort of miracle happens, perhaps it’s just best to daydream and imagine a world in which all of the vehicles below have a long roof with a massive trunk.

Mazda Miata

If Miata is always the answer, how about a Miata wagon/shooting brake? A new version of the clownshoe maybe?

It is the answer. Good job.

Submitted by: Anthony Thornton

Tesla Model 3

I’ll take mine in the Performance trim please

You’re a bit odd, aren’t you?

Submitted by: icrashbikes

Volkswagen Jetta

The new Jetta. It would be great to see a new version of the Alltrack as well.

Never forget the Alltrack.

Submitted by: OutForARip

Honda Accord

Bring back the Accord wagon, and make it a hybrid.

I nearly fell asleep reading this, but I guess it would be nice.

Submitted by: Forkish

Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger - BRING BACK THE MAGNUM, you cowards.

I always liked the Dodge Magnum and didn’t see the logic in cancelling it; I’m sure it comes down to dollar and cents, pounds, shillings and pence, as does everything in the modern corporate world.
But maybe, Dodge and their corporate overlords can see their way to produce a wagon version of the new Charger?
And, if they were super-cool about it, they’d do a two-door ‘Nomad’ version as well.
One can dream.

Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

Submitted by: tallestdwarf & Earthbound Misfit I

Ford Maverick

Ford Maverick. It would have a big Land Cruiser vibe, and with upright sides and a real tailgate, it would also be highly functional, kinda like the late, lamented Honda Element.

I like the way you think.

Submitted by: JimmyZZZZZZZ

Compact Cars

I’d go with normie compact cars like Corolla, Forte, Civic, Mazda3. Was in northern Europe a few weeks ago and the Corolla estate is a good size. Offer something affordable with just enough extra room to address people’s space/size anxiety.

I do love a little wagon.

Submitted by: spookiness

Lamborghini Countach

Countach Shooting brake anyone. Shooting brakes still count as wagons right?

You know what you’re doing.

Submitted by: darthspartan117

Infiniti FX50

I’ve always liked the looks of the Infiniti FX50s. I’ve always thought that if they just made it a lot shorter and turned it into a sport wagon it would be a really cool looking car.

The FX50 doesn’t get enough credit for being really, really good looking.

Submitted by: Kuhat

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

CT5-V Blackwing. There’s no more exciting combination than a supercharged V8, manual transmission, and long roof.

This isn’t hyperbole, a CT5-V Blackwing wagon would be the greatest car ever made.

Submitted by: kasheed

Ford Tempo

In the 80s/90s, Ford had a pretty strong wagon game. Escort. Taurus. Country Squire. But, one sedan that didn’t get the wagon treatment was the Tempo and Topaz. I loved my 1992 Tempo GLS sedan, althought I wish it had been available in a wagon form. Throw in the 3.0L Vulcan V6 and a 5-spd manual, would have been a fun little wagon.

At least you’re thinking outside the box.

Submitted by: Sucker for a ‘23 300C (formerly Magnum_SRT8)

Mazda 3

Mazda 3, the hatchback is neat but not very practical, making the sedan a wagon would be awesome, the dynamics of a 3 and the cargo capacity of a CX-5 or CX-50.

They’d sell -15 of these, and that’s a damn shame.

Submitted by: CitronC

Lexus GS-F

Lexus hasn’t had a wagon since the IS300 Sportcross, and it was epic. The GS-F is an excellent car, it would make an even better wagon.

I want this.

Submitted by: jimmy-buffett

Subaru Outback

It evolved from a wagon but right now it’s in a weird kinda limbo, not quite an SUV in bulk, not quite a wagon because of bulk. So let’s push it a little bit more towards wagon. And honestly, most of this could be done by stripping off the plastic cladding, getting rid of the big dumb racks and just replacing them with standard rails. America needs a big-ish comfortable wagon that can go anywhere.

We’ve gotten far too comfortable with black plastic cladding.

Submitted by: Buckfiddiousagain

Every Sedan

Pretty much every modern sedan would be improved by making them into a wagon. The last sedan I owned was a 1993 Oldsmobile Delta 88, and that at least had a decent trunk opening. Modern sedans have a very short trunk with a narrow opening that makes getting luggage in and out an inconvenience. The modern Toyota Camry and Honda Accord would be much better served as hybrid AWD wagons than sedans that have limited utility. I had to drive a rental Camry last week and the luggage space is actually smaller than my hatchback Civic.

You’re not wrong, Amigo.

Submitted by: Caz Williams

Chevy Corvette

Corvette C8. Many people have rendered this up, many of them look great. Callaway needs to get on it.
Honorable mentions: Honda Accord (for the US) and Cybertruck

A mid-engined wagon would be gnarly.

Submitted by: Bruce Crawford

Cadillac Lyriq

It’s literally a wagon, it just needs to be a few inches lower.

I’ll be so real, I didn’t notice this, but damn you’re so right.

Submitted by: CG124

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius. Honestly they did it once and you still see prius V’s around but with the new look this could be a less awkward looking and even more practical.

This would be brilliant, wouldn’t it?