The locally forgotten wagon

The locally forgotten wagon

‍

Europe is the birthplace of many iconic petrol-powered stories. Stories that played their role in the widespread obsession many have with various different road-going creations. It’s a land of endlessly perfect driving roads, flamboyant engineering, and enough resources and status-driven people to justify the creation of the likes of Bugatti and Koenigsegg. Many of our favourite brands reside in this hub of automotive engineering, and although we love our cars in the shape of aor a hatchback, Europeans continue to have a keen interest in station wagons.

‍

I am rather fond of the estate idea and have grown to enjoy the likes of an M3 Touring over its standard sedan configuration, but here in South Africa, we don’t have much of a choice. Due to our more rugged landscape and lack of new station wagon models, it has become a buyer trend to sit further off the ground, and our crossover, SUV and 4x4 market is booming with a record 50.3% of passenger cars sales locally being SUVs in 2023. The growing SUV trend is one that isn't just local; as of Feb last year, SUVs made up 51% of new car sales in Europe too. My guess is that the powerful feeling one gets when they are above the surrounding traffic appeals to some egos. So on my month-long travels around Italy, Switzerland, and France, I took a closer look into why the last frontier of wagons is silently appearing.

‍

For many motorists, station wagons are a blast from the past, and a few of us have never lost our love for the practicality and, of course, the immediately recognisable silhouette. Models like the Subaru Forester STI and BMW 3 Series Touring offer a good level of performance while retaining practicality. But when it comes to cars, they just keep getting bigger. Back in the day, an SUV would come in the form of either a workhorse off-roader or a luxury statement piece, but now almost everybody sells SUVs. And with the added benefit of sitting above traffic and bouncing off speed bumps with ease, it seems like South Africans don’t really care about wagons anymore unless an M3 badge is strapped to the front of one.

‍

This boils down to two things: firstly, as cool as many station wagons may appear, there are equally as many hideous shapes, but ultimately it boiled down to a lack of choice. In its current makeup, the local automotive scene doesn’t offer many station wagons with only a couple of brands, such as Audi and Subaru, still offering the dying shape. I can count the number of new station wagons in SA on one hand, so it's pretty clear that buyers have historically voted with their wallets. 

‍

Then there's the increase in SUV popularity, which isn't just a local trend, as the growing narrative for SUVs speaks to the desire for a higher viewpoint. SUVs raised concerns ten years ago about their higher centre of gravity and increased likelihood of rollovers in accidents, but this is becoming increasingly less relevant. In fact, SUVs typically have a sturdier platform, and through extensive testing, they are just as safe, if not safer, than the traditional sedan. Add the commanding seating position and lighter handling characteristics of current SUVs, and it comes as no surprise that this is a popular platform.

‍

If we look at it from a product point of view, the increase in SUV sales in turn decreases the volume of models like saloons and generic hatchbacks, with unique models like the estates being even more under threat. As we have seen in our local market, wagons have become a thing of the past, with only bespoke models gaining interest due to a sense of exclusivity rather than their intended practical purpose.

‍

Europe seems to be doubling back on the trend, and what brought this topic to my attention was the impressive number of M3 Touring and C63 station wagons I saw compared to their sedan twins. Along my travels, I saw one M4 and one M3 sedan, and at the same time, I observed seven M3 Tourings. I also saw three C63s wagons and zero sedans. These are more distinctive models that thrive on the element of exclusivity, and this did open my eyes to a more in-depth observation of the surrounding traffic.

‍

What piqued my interest were a number of familiar names that also come in estate versions, such as the Renault Megane, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, and VW Golf. All of which are familiar, run-of-the-mill names in South Africa without an elongated body shape. And the benefits are exponential, offering improved space and practicality while also retaining its simplicity, dynamics, and affordability.

‍

So why has this boomed once again in Europe? Well, firstly, most roads are tarred, and the average city-based citizen will rarely travel on gravel roads, so the need for improved ground clearance becomes less of a demand. Secondly, they provide similar spatial qualities to an SUV while retaining the frugality needed for demanding city driving, and, naturally, they don’t cost as much as SUVs. This can also be a repercussion due to the growing emissions tax trend that is popping up in cities all over Europe.

‍

They are also the more diverse option out there, and with working public transport systems and limited city parking availability, families often are led to needing only one car, and a station wagon ticks all the boxes. But this raised another question. There are a lot of mountains and even more snow, so an SUV should be better suited as a one-car-garage option. 

‍

Well, the first factor that comes into play is the size of European roads, particularly in the city. European cities are old, and their road network was designed back in the days of smaller vehicles and transport options. So navigating around the tight streets is an overwhelming feat in a taller and wider car. Plus, larger cars are expensive, not only to purchase but also to run. But I believe the crux of the European wagon trend is the same reason I enjoy them. They have a dynamic feel while remaining spacious. Europeans enjoy a car with confidence-inspiring handling, and most customers lack the need for extensive ground clearance.

‍

Along my travels, we did wind up in the Alps. It is an utterly stunning stretch of mountains with views unlike anywhere else in the world. And although the snow was heavy, there were station wagons everywhere, and with it came the implication of working infrastructure. The roads are icy but frequently ploughed, so ground clearance is unnecessary, and with spectacularly impressive all-wheel-drive systems such as xDrive and 4Matic, we had little in the way of traction issues in our Mercedes V-Class, thanks in part to winter tyres. Even the two-wheel-drive vehicles had little issue with traction, as carrying tyre chains is a norm during icy spells.

‍

Back in South Africa, I believe there is room for the return of the wagon, and it is a topic that could benefit our road users. Unfortunately, new cars are more expensive than ever, especially in economies with weaker currencies. But I do believe it could be worthwhile for carmakers to consider offering the likes of a Golf or Corolla wagon where customers can reap the benefits of a more affordable car that can fit a whole family with luggage in tow.

‍

South Africans love to travel, and we cover a lot of distance during the holiday season. But sedans, as great as they are on a daily basis, often leave you squeezing in only the essentials before you hit the road. If only there existed a solution that offered the same lower and planted driving platform with comparable space to an SUV. And as much as I do believe the SUV market led to the collapse of the wagon, the SUV novelty is plateauing. 

‍

So what does this mean? Well, I reckon that for many customers there isn’t really a need for an SUV in Europe; the roads are spotless and smaller, so the desire to drive an SUV is slightly tainted by the realisation of having the same practicality and spaciousness with better economy and outright fun in a wagon, let alone the cool factor that comes with a name like Estate. It was interesting to see BMW's M3 Touring tackling the snow with precision, and as much as the estate design works for Europeans, I do feel that there is still a space in South Africa for a few more wagons if we simply remind ourselves of their benefits. As cool as they may be, wagons are now an exotic addition to our local motoring world and one that, for the time being, will only be appreciated through exclusivity.

‍