While extremely common in European countries, Volkswagen wagons are almost a rarity in the US, especially when we’re talking about performance models. For instance, VW currently has three wagons in the lineup of European models, but none are available for North America. If you’re dead set on getting your hands on a VW station wagon, there are a few options out there. Some of them even pack some serious power. 

Here are the top three Volkswagen wagons that have made their way to the US market in the past, and can now be had for cheap, while making you look forward to every drive.

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack TSI

We are starting off easy. This is not a true performance model, but it is still quite fast for its class, especially when considering the nature of this car. The main reason why it’s being included in this list, however, is that it is the only Volkswagen wagon that can still be bought as a relatively new car with low mileage, as it was available between 2017 and 2019.

The Alltrack is an offroad-focused variant of the Golf and a rival to the popular Subaru Outback. With the increased ground clearance, plastic cladding, and an overall rugged image, this Volkswagen wagon does not particularly look like a fast wagon. 

That said, it comes with a four-cylinder 1.8L gasoline engine that generates a somewhat modest 170 hp and 199 lb.-ft of torque. The Golf is not a particularly heavy car, and so the engine ends up giving more than enough power. 

As the engine is turbocharged, it is nippy even from low RPM and can comfortably get to over 120 mph using the fast-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system called 4Motion. Up to fifty percent of torque can be sent to the rear wheels, thus providing optimal traction in all conditions, and this is another aspect that makes the Alltrack fit for this list. 

For those looking for a more engaging experience, the Alltrack can be equipped with a 6-speed manual instead of the more common DSG. The notchy manual makes this Volkswagen wagon faster on a straight and can get it to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds, which is faster than the manufacturer’s figures. The DSG is slightly slower at 7.3 seconds, despite it being capable of changing gears quite quickly.

A major appeal of Volkswagen wagons is their practicality and overall usability, and the Alltrack is no different. As standard, the cargo space is rated at 30.4 cubic feet, which is already impressive. However, with the rear seats folded, this value can go up to 66.5 cu-ft. Also practical is the fuel consumption, which is estimated at 32 mpg on the highway. 

Lastly, Volkswagen has equipped the Golf with a wide range of comfort and safety features. Available in three levels, the S, SE, and SEL, all Alltracks have plenty of features. These include automatic parking, lane keep assist, an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a plethora of others.

Overall, the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack connects practicality, off-road abilities, and sporty driving all into one. The suspension works great both on unpaved roads and when cornering at high speeds. The handling is quite sporty and allows the Golf to be enjoyable in all use case scenarios. It is certainly the most sensible vehicle on this list, yet makes you look forward to every drive.

Volkswagen Passat VR6 Wagon

Moving on to the second fast Volkswagen wagon, there is no doubt that this VR6 Passat belongs on this list. It was quite an unusual offer back in the time and feels even more special now. This model was released before Volkswagen had to deal with the famous Dieselgate and before manufacturers started to question the future of diesel.

Equipped with a VR6 engine, this Volkswagen wagon is a beast. With 280 hp and 265 lb.-ft of torque, the 3.6L drivetrain gets the Passat from a standstill to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. However, it does not stop there. The VR6 Passat can beat the quarter mile in 14 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph, which is electronically limited.

The engine is quite unique in its construction. It is composed of two cylinder banks that are at a narrow 10.6 degree angle against each other and have a common cylinder head. It uses natural aspiration and a compression ratio of 12.0:1. It is paired with a six-speed DSG automatic transmission, which sends power to the front wheels as standard.

Sure, being a front-wheel drive, with the engine positioned crossways in the engine bay, the Passat is somewhat heavy in the front. Nonetheless, the car feels quite nimble for its size and even a bit sporty. This is in direct contrast to other midsize sedans and wagons, which put maximum focus on comfort. The driving characteristics are also much improved by the rear multilink setup and firmer springs. At higher speeds, the car is easy to control and predictable, making it a great autobahn cruiser.

Aesthetically, this Volkswagen wagon does not disappoint either. While its understated design might be a downside for some, many will see it as an advantage. The exterior has aged well thanks to its relative simplicity and even today, it appears as robust and quite likable. When you step inside, it is a similar story. The interior looks very much like a regular Passat, with the exception of really comfortable sports seats and a sportier three-spoke steering wheel. The used materials are great, and the Passat almost punches a class above.

When looking at this Volkswagen wagon from a used-car perspective, it is truly great. Its maintenance will not be as expensive as of the performance B5.5 generation model while offering much more comfort, luxury, and equipment. 

For what it is, the VR6 is actually quite a sensible engine. Together with the unbeatable practicality of Volkswagen wagons, there are very few aspects in which the Passat lacks behind. Seeing how this model performs, it is truly sad that Volkswagen has stopped offering its wagon models in the US.

Volkswagen Passat W8 Wagon

The B5.5 generation is regarded by many car enthusiasts to be one of the best generations of the Passat to date. The most exciting member of this generation is the W8 variant. In 2002, the price tag for one of these was around $40,000 (around $66,000 in today’s money) and because of that, it was not exactly a bestseller. 

Today, it is rare but still, it can sometimes be found for a fairly reasonable price. Especially now that the Passat was entirely canceled for the US market and the last model rolled out of the production line in January of this year, the Passat is becoming quite special. This came after almost 50 years of the Passat’s presence on the North American market. This makes for another factor that might soon make the unusual W8 Volkswagen wagon a true collector’s piece.

Back in the 2000s, Ferdinand Piëch, the chairman of Volkswagen, had the plan to make VW a true premium manufacturer. The result of this were models such as the Phaeton, which was meant to go up against premium sedans such as the 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or the Volkswagen Touareg, which was based on the first-generation Porsche Cayenne. 

The Passat, on the other hand, was not as upscale but it was still a competitor to compact premium models such as the 3-Series or C-Class, in comparison to which it was cheaper, yet offered more space. To get ahead of these models, VW has equipped the Passat with a groundbreaking W8 engine.

Quite unconventional in its design, the engine was arranged as two VR4 engines in a V shape and operated by a single crankshaft. This design was intended to make the engine more compact and make such a large engine able to fit inside the engine bay, which most commonly housed four cylinders. 

The power generated by this 4.0L engine reached 275 hp and 273 lb.-ft of torque, which resulted in a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds. As standard, the drivetrain came with a 4Motion all-wheel drive system, and customers had the choice between a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of design, the W8 Passat is a similar story to that of the VR6. From the outside, it is unrecognizable as something special. Only those who know what to look for will spot the factory-fitted 17-inch BBS rims, two small W8 badges, and quad exhaust pipes on the back. The interior is even less special, and looks just like a regular Passat, although it is fair to say that the W8s were top-trim models with a luxurious and robust inside.

Volkswagen Wagons — Rare but Worth the Effort

For decades, Volkswagen has been offering the Golf GTI as a wagon to European customers. Unfortunately, the model never made it to the USA. Despite it being a vehicle that superbly connects a sports car and a family wagon into one, the US VW likely does not consider it as a model that would be appreciated by local customers. 

While disappointing, there are still a few other options that can be had on the used market, and which are even more interesting than the GTI wagon. If you are considering any of the models from this list, get them now, while they can still be had for cheap. The performance Passat models are getting rare, and prices start to skyrocket.