The Best Ford Station Wagons
Ford no longer builds station wagons, with the 2004 Ford Taurus wagon having the distinction of being the last Ford station wagon to roll off its line.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Ford no longer builds station wagons. The 2004 Ford Taurus Wagon was the last one to roll off its assembly line.
The station wagon has become emblematic of suburban living. In its heyday, it was the perfect vehicle for hauling kids and soccer teams to and fro, as well as being the trusty vehicle to let the kids learn how to drive on. But for the most part, the station wagon’s day in the sun has passed, and all we have are some grainy memories of good times gone by for the gone-but-not-forgotten Ford station wagon.
A Ford station wagon may be a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things to learn about the best Ford station wagons to grace America’s streets. To fill you in on Ford’s winningest wagons is the
car insurance
broker Jerry
. (We can also tell you how to save on your Ford insurance costs
down below.)
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
Does Ford still make a station wagon?
Nope, Henry Ford’s namesake car company stopped making station wagons in 2004, when the Taurus wagon last rolled off the line. Why did Ford stop making the wagon? The rise of the minivan and the SUV played a big role in changing consumers' tastes about what they wanted, offering either more capacity or a blend of capacity, style, and ruggedness.
What’s the difference between a station wagon and a hatchback?
If you’ve often wondered what is different between a station wagon and a hatchback, we’re about to answer that for you. To start, here are a few factors that define the station wagon, a timeless boat-on-wheels:
- A longer body that significantly dwarfs both a hatchback and sedan
- A liftgate for access to the cargo space and/or extended passenger space
- Usually includes a D pillar
- Cargo volume is the design priority
Both station wagons and hatchbacks employ what is known as two-box designs, meaning there is one compartment hosung the engine, and another that houses both the passenger and cargo compartments together. A sedan, typically, employs what’s known as a three-box design, with each compartment separate from the others, and individually housing the engine bay, the passenger space, and the cargo area.
But the biggest difference between a station wagon and a hatchback? Style. The station wagon—as you’ve probably noticed—isn’t made to be the most stylish ride. However, there are plenty of hatchbacks that offer lots of catchy designs, sporting a blend of looks, storage, and driving sizzle for folks who need to haul some things (such as kids) but who don’t want to look like they did when they learned to drive on their parents’ station wagon.
MORE:
Ford lug pattern guide
The best Ford station wagons of all time
The station wagon had a good run in America’s on-going love affair with the automobile, but some stood out more than others. Here are Ford’s best station wagons of all time.
Ford Country Squire (1951 to 1991)
Starting price: $2,253 (1951 price)
Passenger volume: N/A
Cargo volume: 89.7 cubic feet
Engine: 428 V8 engine
The Country Squire—a station wagon line that lasted 40 years, spanning presidencies from Harry Truman to George H. W. Bush.
The Squire was known first and foremost for its wood grain doors and panels, giving it that distinctive, rootsy look. Ford used real wood on those 1st generation (1950-51) wagons, but subsequently replaced it with an all-steel body with simulated wood to reduce production costs. The first generation was 19 feet long and sported a 428 V8 engine with 100 horsepower.
Ford added many nifty elements to the Country Squire over its four decades of service, including its magic door gate,which both flipped open like a truck tailgate and swung open like a door. The Squire also at one point featured side-facing seats, a magnetic checkerboard,an optional CB radio, and hidden cargo compartments.
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowFord Taurus (1986 to 2004)
Starting price: $23,890 (2004)
Passenger volume: 143 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 31.7 cubic feet with seats in place (81.3 cubic feet with seats folded)
Engine: 3.0 L V6 engine
The
Ford Taurus
brought practicality and cargospace to the market from the mid-1980’s until it was discontinued in 2004. Still, the Taurus left its mark, as it was the best-selling U.S. car in the early 1990s.What made it so popular? Beyond the aforementioned roominess and versatility, the Taurus wagon featured a spritely 3.0L engine with 140 horsepower. It might not have been a roaring road monster, but it was a wagon with a bit of pep in its step.
The Taurus also featured an 18.6-gallon fuel tank and either a cloth front split bench seat or premium bucket seats. By the time the Taurus was put out to pasture, it also featured a power front seat lumbar to lessen the strain on your back on long trips to after school piano lessons.
Ford Escort Wagon (1980 to 1999)
Starting price: $14,185 (1999 price)
Passenger volume: 37. 8 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 64.1 cubic feet
Engine: 1.9 L I4 engine
The 1999
Ford Escort
Wagon got the job done—it was economical and very light at the gas pump, and it was full of features including new (at the time) keyless remote entry, AM/FM radio with cassette deck, interior trunk release, and a slew of new colors and interior fabrics to keep Escort owners happy.The ‘99 Escort offered a slightly more powerful and significantly more refined ride than its predecessors, with its 1.9 L engine sporting 110 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The Escort’s construction was also improved with one-body construction, meaning the windows and doors fit better, and the ‘99 Escort was much better at keeping the weather out of the cabin.
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to save money on Ford insurance
Whether you’re driving an old Ford wagon or a new Mustang Mach 1, you’re going to want to protect your vehicle with a robust car insurance policy by using
Jerry
!Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then the
trusted super app
gets to work comparing quotes to ensure you get the best policy at an even better price. Once you pick your new policy, Jerry signs you up and cancels your old one for you. Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
