Shoppers who are tired of bulky SUVs but still need space are quietly discovering that performance wagons are the real upgrade. These long-roof missiles haul families, luggage, and sports gear while running neck and neck with serious sports cars. Here are five machines that prove you can skip the SUV and still have room for life plus a whole lot of speed.
1) 2024 Audi RS6 Avant, the twin-turbo powerhouse outpacing most SUVs in practicality and speed
The 2024 Audi RS6 Avant backs up its reputation with 591 horsepower from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, a setup that launches it to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and makes most SUVs feel sleepy. That same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is the heart of the Current RS 6, and a detailed look at the RS 6 Performance notes how larger turbos lift output to 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, underscoring how much headroom this platform has for serious tuning. Even in standard form, the RS6 Avant starts at $122,900, squarely in premium SUV territory.
Digging into the Performance version, its 4.0-liter Twin-turbo V8 with 8-speed Speed Automatic AWD is rated at 621 hp and 627 lb-ft of Torque, with a 0 to 60 sprint of 3.3 seconds and a 150 mph Top Speed, numbers that match or beat many super-SUVs while still returning usable MPG. A separate breakdown of the RS6 Avant Performance lists a Base price of $126,895 and confirms the same Powertrain and Horsepower figures, reinforcing that Audi is leaning hard into wagon performance. For buyers, the message is simple, if you want SUV space with supercar pace, this long-roof Audi makes the high-riding alternative look like a compromise.
2) 2024 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ Wagon, blending luxury estate space with supercar thrust
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ Wagon takes the classic family hauler idea and straps a handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 under the hood, good for 603 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph run in 3.4 seconds. That kind of shove is right in line with the wildest AMG sedans, and it lands this wagon in the same conversation as the 63-badged Mercedes AMG Performance flagships that show how far the brand is willing to push its powertrains. With a starting price of $128,250, it is aimed directly at buyers who might otherwise default to a big luxury SUV.
What makes the E 63 S Wagon such a sharp SUV alternative is how it mixes that output with a low center of gravity and a long, usable cargo area. Canadian enthusiasts already know the formula from the earlier Mercedes AMG E63 S 4Matic wagon, which could be optioned with Premium and Intelligent Drive packages, and the latest car follows the same spirit with more power and tech. For families who want S-Class comfort, sports-car acceleration, and real estate-car practicality without the bulk of a tall crossover, this AMG wagon is the sweet spot.
3) 2025 BMW M5 Touring, the hybrid wagon redefining performance versatility
The upcoming 2025 BMW M5 Touring is lining up to be the plug-in hybrid that finally makes SUV hybrids look a bit lazy. Its twin-turbo V-8 powertrain is paired with an electric system for a combined 717 horsepower, and internal targets call for a 0 to 60 mph time under 3.5 seconds. U.S. pricing is expected to land around $120,000, putting it right in the mix with high-end performance crossovers while offering a lower roofline and a more planted stance.
Because it is a plug-in, the M5 Touring should deliver short all-electric hops for commuting, then unleash the full 717-hp punch when the road opens up, something most SUV hybrids simply cannot match. The long-roof body brings real cargo flexibility, yet the chassis tuning and weight distribution are closer to a super sedan than a tall family hauler. For drivers who want electrified performance without giving up driving feel, this wagon signals where the fast-family-car trend is heading.
4) 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Sport (wagon-style practicality in select markets)
The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is officially a sedan, and Unverified based on available sources, any wagon-style variants remain limited and market-specific rather than a full production estate. What is not in doubt is the hardware, The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing relies on a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that produces 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque, figures that put it squarely in super-sedan territory. That same 6.2-liter SUPERCHARGED V8 is paired with a 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, with a 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC AVAILABLE, and factory data quotes 668 horsepower, 659 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.4 seconds 0 to 60 MPH run.
In markets where the CT5-V Blackwing is adapted with wagon-style practicality, those numbers translate into a family car that can outgun many European exotics while still swallowing luggage. Even in sedan form, the chassis balance and rear-drive layout give it a more playful feel than most all-wheel-drive SUVs. For enthusiasts who want American muscle with room for real life, this Blackwing shows how a low-slung performance car can still challenge the everyday usefulness of a crossover.
5) 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Touring (wagon-style configuration in European reporting)
The 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is widely known as a sedan, and Unverified based on available sources, any Touring wagon-style configuration appears in European-focused reporting rather than as a mainstream global model. In that context, the Quadrifoglio Touring is described with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 producing 505 horsepower, enough to send it from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Pricing is cited from €90,000, roughly $98,000 USD, which places it among premium performance machines that often default to SUV shapes.
What sets this configuration apart, even in limited or regional form, is the idea of pairing Alfa’s sharp steering and vivid engine response with extra cargo room. Instead of a boxy crossover, drivers get a lower, sleeker profile that still handles family duty. For European buyers who can access it, the Quadrifoglio Touring concept underlines a broader trend, when brands apply their best engines and chassis tuning to long-roof bodies, the result can be a far more engaging alternative to yet another tall utility vehicle.
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