There is no substitute for cargo space. Well, unless it’s even more cargo space. Families, commercial travelers, couples, and singles with elaborate hobbies need a large trunk volume. But it doesn’t have to be a van or a bus.

Nor does it have to be an SUV. They are heavy and tall, which affects fuel consumption and agility. That leaves the station wagon. The only drawback is that station wagons need more length than vans to offer the same amount of space. An important factor when looking for a parking space.

Benefits of large station wagons

In the following, we will take a quick look at some of the advantages of the station wagons:

Large trunk volume, often low loading edge
Good rear-seat space
Lower profile, improved aerodynamics compared to vans or SUVs
Comparatively low weight, lower center of gravity
More agile than vans or SUVs of similar size
More economical than SUVs or vans of similar size

Because it is not a special achievement to get a lot of trunk volume over the length of the vehicle, we do not simply crown the one with the largest trunk volume as the “largest station wagon” in our top 7 largest station wagons. Instead, we’ve chosen the one with the best liter-per-meter ratio.

3. Peugeot 508 SW

Doesn’t Peugeot focus on looks instead of cargo space with the latest generation 508 SW? Peugeot has apparently succeeded in combining both. With a trunk capacity of up to 1,780 liters, this French mid-size station wagon is on par with the VW Passat. However, the big station wagon looks less like a van. You have to like the extravagant front with its walrus teeth (daytime running lights). However, the 508 station wagon mainly attracted favorable glances in our test.

We also liked it, both inside and out. The estate doesn’t convince us unreservedly regarding handling, comfort and noise level. Especially the premium mid-range offers more. Peugeot also prices the 508 SW quite confidently. The minimum price is just under 33,000 euros, and with the powerful diesel (180 hp), it gets really expensive (just under 48,000 euros), as Peugeot only offers it with the top equipment. However, at least the car comes with a lot of equipment.