Best Used Wagons on a $15,000 Budget

Once the go-to vehicle type for family transportation, the station wagon, or wagon, is no longer as popular as it once was, but it’s still just as great for moving people and cargo as ever, especially if you’d like to do it without the bulk and inefficiency of an SUV.

Here are 10 of the best used wagons under $15,000 you’ll find on Autotrader.

1. 2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

The 2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a true rarity — a wagon available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Perfect for the enthusiastic yet practical driver, the TSX Sport Wagon brings everything you love about the Acura brand to the world of longroofs. There aren’t a lot of TSX Sport Wagon examples, so you may want to shop for all the model years, namely 2011-2014.

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2. 2014 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

The 2014 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon was the last year of the model’s production, although the sedan and coupe carried on for a few more years. The decision to stop selling the wagon wasn’t an indictment of its excellence, however, but of the buying tastes of the American public. This choice is solid if you’re looking for a fun-to-drive wagon with a premium feel. Another low-volume model, you may want to widen the scope to include the years from 2010 to 2014.

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3. 2021 Kia Soul

The 2021 Kia Soul might not look quite like a traditional wagon, but that’s how it’s classified, and that’s what it’s like to live with, too — a tall, roomy, boxy wagon. Aside from the fun styling, the Soul is efficient, comfortable, and even available with advanced driver assist systems.

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4. 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX

If you have a family or a wintry commute (or both) but have a solid connection to the hooligan you were in your 20s — or if you’re a 20-something hooligan — this is the wagon for you. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD), plenty of space for friends, family, and gear, and, in WRX form, a punchy 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder good for 265 hp mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

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5. 2018 Subaru Outback

If you need the capability of an SUV but don’t want the look or the bulk, the 2018 Subaru Outback is a practical option for up to five occupants; it has standard all-wheel drive and high ground clearance. The range-topping 3.6R Limited will be at the top of our budget, offering a 256-hp flat 6-cylinder engine and features like upgraded audio and leather-trimmed upholstery.

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6. 2015 Toyota Prius V

The 2015 Toyota Prius V takes all of the efficiency and practicality of the Prius hybrid and adds even more utility with an extended cargo area. In a genuine sense, the Prius V is likely the most rational vehicle choice for nearly every family in America, with 44 mpg combined and the top-tier Prius V Five model within reach of our modest $15,000 budget.

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7. 2015 Toyota Venza

A vehicle that claimed to create a whole new genre when new, the 2015 Toyota Venza straddles the line between crossover SUV and station wagon, but unlike the Subaru Outback, the Venza errs on the side of suburban sensibility rather than rugged outdoorsiness. Look for the nicely equipped LE model on our budget.

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8. 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Formerly known as the Jetta SportWagen, the 2015 model year marked the change to the Golf SportWagen name. Along with the new name came an all-new design and platform, with lots of interior space and an efficient turbocharged gasoline 4-cylinder. Look for the TSI SEL on our budget, which adds leather seats, automatic climate control, and more. Or, if you’d prefer a little off-road ability, consider the closely related Alltrack.

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9. 2016 Volvo V60

The 2016 Volvo V60’s sleek looks are anything but boxy. The 240-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder in the T5 model at the sweet spot of our $15,000 budget is fun and frisky yet capable of 37 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel-drive models get an extra 10 hp and should also be available within our budget.

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10. 2016 Volvo XC70

For a wagon that is more like the Outback but also with a decidedly European look and feel, the 2016 Volvo XC70 is a solid pick. Taller and more rugged than the V70 wagon, the XC70 bridges the gap to crossover SUV capability without unnecessary height or bulk. Look for well-maintained T6 models with the 300-hp turbocharged inline 6-cylinder on our budget.

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Best Used Wagons on a $15,000 Budget

1. 2014 Acura TSX
2. 2014 Cadillac CTS
3. 2021 Kia Soul
4. 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX
5. 2018 Subaru Outback
6. 2015 Toyota Prius V
7. 2015 Toyota Venza
8. 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack or SportWagen
9. 2016 Volvo V60
10. 2016 Volvo XC70