More room, less cliché, and a few surprises under the bonnet—wagons might just be the festive season’s best-kept secret.
Often overlooked, station wagons—or estates, as they’re known to some—offer a compelling mix of practicality, space, versatility and comfort. While most South Africans tend to opt for the ubiquitous SUV, this forgotten bodystyle still has plenty to offer on the used car market. The MPV, also a shrinking segment locally, is equally as practical (if not more so), but sacrifices some driving pleasure in the pursuit of maximum interior space.
So, if you’re looking for a wagon, where do you start? The new car market offers very little choice, with just nine options, six of which are two models available across three trims. And with the most affordable being the Subaru Outback 2.5i Field at R839,000, they’re far from cheap. The used car market, however, still offers plenty of variety, whether you’re after something affordable and dependable, a touch of luxury, or an all-out performance wagon that can comfortably tackle the long road trips the festive season often brings.
Old but gold
Volvo V70
In the ‘90s and early 2000s, station wagons were extremely popular with well-to-do parents, particularly those hailing from Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. The V70, offered between 1996 and 2016, spanned three generations. However, it’s the second-generation model that was most popular in SA, with its boxy rear end providing 575 litres of boot space. That doesn’t sound like much until you realise that’s with the second row of seats in place. Fold the 40:20:40 rear bench away, and the V70 has a cavernous 1,600 litres of cargo capacity up for grabs. While that falls behind some SUVs, remember, the V70 counters with superior driving dynamics (compared to a contemporary SUV), typically lower fuel consumption, and superior performance.
Unusually, the V70 (and its sedan sibling, the S60) was offered exclusively with five-cylinder engines in various petrol and diesel configurations. These engines earned a strong reputation for reliability and longevity, though buyers should still anticipate higher-than-average maintenance and servicing costs, as it is an ageing premium car after all. On the plus side, safety remains a standout feature, as the V70 was among the safest cars of its era, equipped with multiple airbags and advanced side-impact protection systems.
Interestingly, the British police force used V70s in their fleet (and still do) for many years, due to their robust quality, durability, and adaptability. If it’s good enough for the cops, a well-maintained example should be able to cope with the school run and family holidays with ease. According to AutoTrader used car data, the average V70 is listed for R77,450, with an average mileage and registration age of 213,784 km and 22 years.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
While Volvo is the brand that comes to mind when discussing station wagons, Mercedes-Benz has an illustrious history of building estates that ooze class. Few cars whisper good taste as well as a pristine example (regardless of age). In 2014, a Mercedes-Benz USA executive told MotorTrend that buyers of the E-Class estate are “one of our wealthiest demographics,” with a median household income of $375,000 compared to $200,000 for the sedan.
Thankfully, you don’t have to earn anywhere near that much to enjoy one now, with the E-Class estate averaging R159,963 on AutoTrader, with an average mileage of 204,309 km and a registration age of 17 years. At that age, you’re looking at a late model S211 model, with improved interior materials and the updated engines and exterior styling. While reliable and robust, repair costs have a tendency to be rather big, especially for vehicles equipped with the AIRMATIC air suspension system.
The entry-level 200K engine is known for timing chain issues, while many of the M272 V6s (found in the 280 and 350) suffered from balancer shaft problems. Interestingly, the 285 kW 5.4-litre V8 in the E500 is regarded as the most durable of the range, though it comes with hefty fuel bills. A torque-rich diesel is a sensible alternative. If you can find one, that is, as E-Class Estates are rare in South Africa.
The S211 E-Class has one of the largest boots of any station wagon sold locally, with a truly cavernous 690 litres with the seats in place and a van-rivalling 1,950 litres with the second row folded away.
What about MPVs?
The MPV–or minivan, as it’s known in other markets–tends to suffer from a somewhat dowdy image. Yet, if you can look past the “Uber XL” or “Mom’s Taxi” stereotypes, there’s plenty to appreciate. While an MPV won’t match a sporty wagon through a mountain pass or tackle rough terrain like a rugged SUV, it makes up for it with exceptional space and everyday practicality.
Take the Toyota Rumion, for instance. A badge-engineered effort from Toyota (it’s actually a Suzuki Ertiga), the Rumion offers seating for seven, plenty of legroom and, with the third row of seats folded away, a 550 litre boot. While nowhere near as refined as the other vehicles mentioned here, the Rumion strikes back with exceptional fuel consumption (claimed 6.2L/100 km), and the backing that comes with the Toyota badge.
Because they’re relatively new, even examples on the used car market are still relatively fresh, with an average mileage and age of 32,216 km and two years old, with an average listing price of R324,715. That’s higher than the Rumion’s new base price of R301,400, but that’s because there are several trims to choose from, with the top-spec TX automatic selling for R390,300. But if you’re interested in saving money, the entry-level S is the one to go for. It may be the base model, but it comes standard with air-conditioning, electric windows, and rear park distance control. The pick of the bunch is the mid-spec SX, which adds a few more creature comforts. Unfortunately, all models come with only two airbags.
Got more to spend? The Kia Carnival is a compelling choice. No longer staid-looking and sparsely equipped, the Carnival is a thoroughly luxurious mode of family transport. Depending on the trim selected, the Korean MPV can seat up to eight passengers in comfort, with every aspect taken into consideration, from safety to entertainment. Even the entry-level EX trim receives seven airbags, front and rear park distance control, a reverse camera, attention assist, and a host of other luxuries. With all the seats folded away, the Carnival turns into a serious load lugger, with a staggering 4,110 litres of cargo space up for grabs. As expected, the Carnival packs a hefty price, but at an average price of R774,378, it’s not a bad buy for a large family.
The ultimate family transport
Described as one of the best wagons ever made, the latest generation RS 6 is a vehicle that answers the age-old question: if I can only have one car, what would it be? Blisteringly quick, blessed with rock-solid build quality, good-looking, luxurious, comfortable, and practical, the RS 6 Avant is all things to all people.
Sadly, only the privileged few can afford it, with used models selling for an average of R1,922,605, with an average of 36,329 km on the clock and a registration age of three years old. The 441 kW twin-turbo V8 (463 kW in Performance guise) enables this hefty brute to rocket to 100 k/mh in 3.5 seconds, making it quicker than some bona fide supercars. But unlike all supercars, the RS 6 can comfortably seat five people across two rows, and carry 565 litres of luggage.
Need the world’s quickest moving van? Fold the seats down and the RS 6 offers 1,680 litres of load space. Even mundane tasks, like moving house, would be a pleasure behind the wheel of one. The same applies to everyday driving, whether carving through Franschhoek Pass or crawling through school-run traffic. Naturally, fuel bills will be steep, but if your budget allows, few wagons this side of the new BMW M5 Touring deliver such an intoxicating mix of power, polish, and practicality.
