Longroofs, estates, wagons, maybe even shooting brakes in the right crowd – station wagons have almost many names as they have uses. At the same time, the station wagon body style has been falling out of popular favor in recent decades in favor of essentially the same idea of riding along a few inches higher in the air. However, those who appreciate a good wagon know there are still some great examples cruising our roads, both brand new and used alike.
Here are 10 good used wagons on a $10,000 budget.
1. 2011 Audi A4
The 2011 Audi A4 Avant’s sleek exterior and balanced performance have held the test of time. It’s as good to drive and look at as ever. It’s also one of the best all-rounders on this list. It has a peppy turbocharged 211-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, available quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), and an available manual transmission. No matter the configuration, the Avant gets about 30 mpg on the highway. Combined with Audi’s excellent cabin design and interior materials, you have a recipe for lasting success. The 2011 model in top-spec Premium trim should be within reach on our budget. Savvy shoppers may find 2012 models within reach. See 2011 Audi A4 models for sale
2. 2011 BMW 3 Series
For a driver’s car that’s also a family car, look no further than the 2011 BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon. Nimble and rewarding to drive just like its sedan counterpart, the 3 Series Sports Wagon is, for many, a benchmark of the class. With a range of potent inline 6-cylinder engines, available xDrive AWD, an available manual transmission, and a range of performance options, trims, and upgrades, the BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon range is legendary for its bandwidth and quality. For $10,000, the 2011 BMW 328i xDrive hits a sweet spot of year-round performance and utility. See 2011 BMW 3 Series models for sale
3. 2014 Cadillac CTS Wagon
If you appreciate being a bit different or just like American brands, the 2014 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is an easy win. Like the Audi and BMW above, the CTS is fun to drive. It has available AWD and a range of powerful engine choices. The starting point for the Sport Wagon is a 270-hp 3.0-liter V6. The top powertrain is the fierce 556-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 found in the range-topping CTS-V performance model. Only the CTS-V is available with a manual transmission. On our budget, the 2014 CTS Sport Wagon with either the 3.0-liter V6 or the upgraded 318-hp 3.6-liter V6 and your choice of rear-wheel drive or AWD is a good fit. Keep an eye out for the high-spec Luxury or Premium trim models. These are rare birds, so you may have to look for an older model. See 2014 Cadillac CTS models for sale
4. 2007 Dodge Magnum
Iconic in a way no wagon has been in recent memory, the 2007 Dodge Magnum still cuts a sharp image, provided the paint and plastics have been well-maintained. The lower-spec models are saddled with unimpressive V6s. But the Magnum R/T is well within reach of our budget. It packs a satisfyingly stout 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque from its 5.7-liter Hemi V8. While you can certainly find the Magnum R/T in tire-roasting RWD, it’s also available with AWD for those in winter weather country. See 2007 Dodge Magnum models for sale
5. 2015 Mazda5
Call the 2015 Mazda5 a shrunken minivan, call it a wagon, call it a sliding-door hatchback, just call it yours if you’re looking for a compact, efficient, fun-to-drive car with seating for six, a surprising amount of cargo space, and friendly good looks. The 2015 Mazda5 Sport is a bit bare in terms of equipment and features. Fortunately, the nicely equipped Touring fits easily within our budget. Those with a keen eye and a wide search radius may even find the loaded Grand Touring within sight on a $10,000 budget. See 2015 Mazda5 models for sale
6. 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman
Just as nimble and fun as it looks, the 2014 Mini Clubman is available in economical base form, high-performance John Cooper Works form, or the Goldilocks form for our $10,000 budget, the balanced Clubman Cooper S. With its 181-p 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and light sub-3,000-pound curb weight, the Mini Clubman Cooper S is a practical way to have your wagon and thrash it, too. The combination of a small but potent engine and light weight also makes the Clubman efficient, earning 34 mpg on the highway with either the manual or the automatic transmission. See 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman models for sale
7. 2013 Subaru Outback
The 2013 Subaru Outback is probably the wagon you expected to see when you clicked on this list, and it’s undoubtedly the wagon you should expect to see if you go shopping for practical AWD wagons under $10,000. Why? Because about seven out of 10 used listings appear to be for Outback models, and that’s only because they’ve been so popular among wagon fans for so long. To make the most of your gas money, consider the 2.5i in top-spec Premium trim. However, if you’d prefer a bit more pep, the 3.6-liter boxer 6-cylinder boosts output by about 80 hp. See 2013 Subaru Outback models for sale
8. 2014 Toyota Prius V
If your friends tend to call you “pragmatic” or “thoughtful,” then you probably want to look closely at the 2014 Toyota Prius V for a sub-$10,000 wagon. Lots of interior space, including plenty of cargo room, makes the Prius V as practical as most crossover SUVs, while the 43 mpg city and 39 mpg highway ratings make light (and inexpensive) work of long commutes or frequent road trips. See 2014 Toyota Prius V models for sale
9. 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
For some German solidity and sensibility, consider the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. While the Dieselgate affair may make some steer clear of the TDI models, those still on the road have almost certainly had a fix applied, and they’re still extremely economical. If all of that — and the price of diesel — seems like a headache, there’s always the 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder in the standard model. Whichever engine you pick, you’ll get a choice of manual or automatic transmission, but front-wheel drive only. Look for the top-spec SE on our budget. See 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen models for sale
10. 2013 Volvo XC70
Like a Subaru Outback but with Scandinavian design sensibilities, the 2013 Volvo XC70 is a higher-riding, more off-roadable wagon that muddies the waters between it and SUV territory. While XC70 T6 models come with a 300-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder, models equipped with the 240-horsepower 3.2-liter normally aspirated inline 6-cylinder are more likely to fit within our budget, especially if you’re looking to avoid high-mileage examples. Even base models are nicely equipped, with rain-sensing wipers, an 8-way power driver seat, front and rear skid plates, and Bluetooth phone connectivity. See 2013 Volvo XC70 models for sale
Good Used Wagons on a $10,000 Budget in 2023
- 2011 Audi A4 Avant
- 2011 BMW 3 Series
- 2014 Cadillac CTS
- 2007 Dodge Magnum
- 2015 Mazda5
- 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman
- 2013 Subaru Outback
- 2014 Toyota Prius V
- 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
- 2013 Volvo XC70
