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    An Audi A6 on a road.

    Wagon Buying Guide

    Before minivans and SUVs became the family vehicles of choice in America, many households relied on wagons—essentially sedans with a squared-off back end that maximizes cargo space.

    It is fair to question whether a wagon is a car or SUV. These days, the answer isn’t as clear cut as back in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, when wagons were clearly versions of sedans. Today, there are limited true wagons with full side windows along the cargo area. Instead, most have evolved into hatchbacks or car-based SUVs.

    The wagon genre lives on in a small number of luxury wagons from European brands, notably Audi and Volvo. These are based on an equivalent sedan, sharing the sedan’s performance and features while adding utility with a rear liftgate and flat-folding back seats.

    But for many consumers, an SUV like a Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander have taken on that role of a wagon, benefiting from more ground clearance, elevated ride height, and more interior space.

    To assist as many members as possible, Consumer Reports focuses on testing the most popular versions of vehicles, and that means we rarely test a true wagon. However, we buy and test many sedans and hatchbacks.

    Wagon shoppers would be well served in reviewing our sedan and hatchback buying guide and ratings. There you will find rankings by size, with detailed road tests and ratings for reliability, owner satisfaction, and more to help with your purchase decisions.

    Go to the sedans and hatchbacks buying guide.