Being able to comfortably fit all of your luggage, passengers and the kitchen sink is the perfect idea of what a car should be. Right?

Wagons are absolute peaches from the automotive world, and every once in a while, manufacturers bless us common folk with some corkers. They represent undeniable levels of practicality whilst also looking much better than their hatch or saloon counterparts (I will fight this to the grave). But why is demand for them dropping and why are automakers choosing to ignore them?

Thankfully for us Brits and Europeans, we still (for now) have a healthy choice in long roofs. Most car makers offer some form of estate, but they also offer far more SUVs. Wagons are inherently better because they handle like a conventional car. Plus performance versions of them are just the coolest! But even though we have a good choice, less and less seem to be appearing with new model releases. Honda no longer offer the Civic in estate form and Lexus only ever made one.

Some forbidden fruit for you US of A folk

However, there are some that are still hanging on. The Golf, Passat, 3/5 series, A/C/E Class and even the Panamera are some that are on offer. Fast versions of these cars are also up for grabs – namely the newly released G81 BMW M3 Touring. Most of these cars though, including the Beamer, are only available to us over this side of the pond. America is missing out.

It’s a damn shame that manufacturers stop making cars we don’t buy! Oh. And that right there is the issue. Americans simply don’t want them because SUVs and trucks fit their purpose and lifestyle. US cars are large and commanding, wagons simply aren’t. There are a few diehard fans out there, and even a couple of groups dedicated to the cause (looking at you Wagon Mafia) but demand is still low.

But what makes a wagon so great?

Good question, which I slightly answered at the start. Unlike saloons, wagons offer a massively increased and accessible boot. Need to transport the contents of your house, your family and 14 dogs? Not a problem in one of these.

And as mentioned, the driving characteristics are very similar to that of a saloon or hatchback, which many drivers are accustomed to. They don’t loll around on the road nor are likely to rollover – something which plagues SUVs. They are comfortable, safe and in most cases, cheaper. Sure, you don’t get that raised driving position that many like, but that is simply an ego issue that needs to be put to bed.

Maggie is right at home in my daily wagon

The other plus point is that fast wagons are a thing, and they are always much, much better than the saloon or hatch variants. Simply because there is nothing more satisfying than beating some 18 year old in a hot hatch using a car which can carry the entire catalogue of the British museum with roof bars on. What was that about an ego?

Still, I’ve made my case.

So how do we change what manufacturers do?

Although many don’t believe it, the consumer is always in charge and our buying habits dictate what is produced. Why do you think there was such a boom for sports cars in the mid-2000s? So, the decision rests with you. Buy more wagons and we’ll have more to choose from.

Americans are starting to be offered previously denied cars, with the RS6 recently gracing their shores. However, Audi recently silenced rumours of the arrival of the RS4. Small steps are all it takes to change the thinking.

#SaveTheWagons