10 Best Family Station Wagons for 2015

Don't want a minivan or an SUV but still need to get the kids to soccer practice like a pro? The best family station wagons cover all of your cargo and child-hauling needs while offering dramatically better handling and in most cases, improved fuel economy too. Throw in the fact that station wagons are much easier to park and don't take up as much space trying to negotiate rush hour traffic, and you've got a winning combination for modern families willing to think outside the 'box.'

Let's take a look at 10 of the best family station wagons available for 2015.

The 2015 BMW 328d Sport Wagon proves that diesel frugality and a fun-to-drive personality don't have to be mutually exclusive. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine offered by the BMW 328d Sport Wagon produces 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, which when paired with its eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive system give it surefooted acceleration matched with surprisingly nimble handling for a family station wagon. Fuel economy of 31-mpg around town and 43-mpg in highway driving, plus 53 cubic feet of total cargo space (with the rear seat folded forward) make the BMW a winning premium wagon option.

The 2015 Toyota Prius v finds itself at the opposite end of the driver engagement spectrum as compared to the BMW, but this family station wagon trumps its German segment-mate when it comes to fuel mileage. The Toyota Prius V makes use of a hybrid drivetrain that returns 44-mpg in stop and go driving and 40-mpg on the highway, which will be compelling to anyone whose wagon will be pressed into use as a daily commuter. 134 horsepower are produced by the Toyota's 1.8-liter, four-cylinder gas engine and pair of electric motors, and not only is the hybrid people mover efficient, but it also offers 67.3 cubic feet of total cargo space.

The 2015 Scion xB's rounded-box styling have made it more of a cult classic than a popular family choice, but there's a lot to like about this affordable station wagon once you get past its funky looks. The compact Scion xB provides - get ready - 70 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row of accommodations out of the picture, a number which shames a long list of sport-utility vehicles when it comes to practicality. Its 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine (which can be matched with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission) is good for 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, and the xB returns fuel mileage of 22-mpg in city driving and 28-mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Volvo V60 Polestar represents a very unique take on what a family station wagon should offer. Tuned by the brand's European racing partner, the Volvo V60 Polestar provides 10-way adjustable shock absorbers, a trick all-wheel drive system, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that grinds out 350 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with Polestar models, which can leap to 60-mph in just 4.8 seconds; not bad for a car that can also schlep 43.8 cubic feet of gear and coddle occupants in the lap of luxury.

Speaking of luxury, where would our list of the best family station wagons be without an entry wearing the Silver Star? The 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Wagon might be a mouthful to say, but it's worth getting acquainted with this high tech premium hauler, which features a 3.5-liter V-6 making 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque (while returning 20-mpg city and 27-mpg highway). A seven-speed automatic transmission sends that output to all four wheels via the Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Wagon's standard all-wheel drive system. Unlike any other wagon on the market the Mercedes-Benz actually offers seven-passenger seating, with a rear-facing third row bench complementing the car's 57.4 cubic feet of total cargo space.

All-new for the current model year, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI continues the brand's tradition of producing fuel-sipping compact family wagons. Replacing the now-departed Jetta SportWagen, the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI features 66 cubic feet of hauling space along with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission with the TDI model, and fuel mileage shows as 31-mpg around town and 43-mpg on the highway, which are impressive numbers outside of the hybrid space.

The 2015 Audi allroad might be marketed as a crossover but anyone with eyes and a good memory will be able to draw clear parallels between this model and the no-longer-offered A4 Avant station wagon. That's because the Audi Allroad is an A4 Avant on a mild steroid regimen, featuring a jacked-up ride height and some body cladding to help it fit in better amongst its SUV rivals. 51 cubic feet of cargo space are available inside the Allroad, which features quattro all-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic handles the gear changes for the Audi wagon, which posts fuel efficiency figures of 21-mpg in stop and go driving and 28-mpg on the highway.

The 2015 Kia Soul EV is the first and only all-electric station wagon on our list, and while it's not yet available in every part of the country (Kia has so far offered the Soul EV exclusively to those living in California, Washington, Hawaii, Texas, Oregon, and Georgia) it's an intriguing hauler. Featuring 93 miles of driving range on a single charge, plus the ability to fill up to 80 percent of its battery capacity in a half hour using a DC charging station, the Kia Soul EV is remarkably practical for city dwellers, It also delivers 109 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, along with almost 50 feet of available cargo space.

The 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited is another wagon-disguised-as-an-SUV, but it's been at it a little longer than the Audi Allroad. The 3.6 Limited is the top trim level for the Subaru Outback, which gives it niceties such as HID headlights and leather seating, but what really draws us to this version of the station wagon is its 256 horsepower, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Also capable of generating 247 lb-ft of torque, the 3.6R's motor is yoked to a continuously-variable automatic transmission and returns 20-mpg in city driving and 27-mpg on the highway. The Subaru Outback's cargo capacity is the most impressive of any wagon on the market, with 73.3 cubic feet of space available with the second row of seating folded flat.

The 2015 Ford C-Max can be thought of as the quicker, more lively-to-drive analog to the Prius V. Also a hybrid, the Ford C-Max makes use of the same platform as the plucky Ford Fiesta, which explains a large part of its handling prowess. There's 52.6 cubic feet of total cargo room available inside the wagon, which also offers 188 horsepower from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine / single electric motor tandem. The C-Max's fuel efficiency is advertised at 42-mpg in stop and go driving and 37-mpg during highway cruising.