Finding a vehicle that offers practicality, storage, and space, while being well equipped to perform, drive and handle efficiently can be quite a hassle. While common misconception pegs station wagons as cars that only dads seem to drive, they are an excellent choice of car that would prove to be a worthy alternative from the boring SUVs and the dull crossovers.
One company that has truly transformed the station wagon scene has to be Audi. If people explore the past of this German automaker, they would find it hard to believe that this mediocre car manufacturer became such an automotive giant, even creating some of the coolest concepts that people have ever seen. One of the major driving factors that helped in this incredible transformation within the span of the last 30 years or so, is the incredible Audi wagon.
10 1991 Audi S4 2.2 Turbo
Produced between 1991 and 1994, the 4-door saloon-style Audi S4 was powered by a 2.2-liter twin-cam 5-cylinder 20v turbocharged powerplant.
Capable of producing a maximum power output of 230 hp at 5,900 rpm and a maximum torque of 258.15 lb-ft at 1,950 rpm, the Audi S4 2.2 Turbo from 1991 could easily reach a top speed of 151.61 mph. Having a four-wheel driving system, it used a five-speed manual gearbox to transfer its power to the wheels.
9 1996 Audi S6 Avant Plus C4
Although Audi had managed to convince the world that they could create a fast performance wagon with the RS2 Avant, they decided to continue the trend with their larger station wagons. The car that paved the way for vehicles like the S8 to be introduced in the market is none other than the high-end Audi S6 Avant Plus. Built using the C4 platform and developed with the help of Quattro GmbH, the S6 Plus is arguably one of the most advanced cars that the C4 platform has.
Under the hood, it featured a 4.2-liter V8 engine capable of producing 322 hp and a top speed of 155 mph. It had a six-speed manual transmission, as well as 17-inch wheels, something quite rare back in 1996.
8 1994 Audi RS2 Avant
The 1994 RS2 Avant is the station wagon that started it all for the company. It was built by Audi in collaboration with Porsche. Featuring the famous all-wheel-drive Quattro system, this limited edition beast was powered by a specially modified 5-cylinder, 2.2-liter, turbocharged engine that was capable of producing 311 hp.
Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission system, the suspensions, and brakes of the car were specifically designed by Porsche to help the car achieve the handling that could go hand-in-hand with the RS2 Avant's staggering acceleration of 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It had an electronically-limited maximum speed of 163 mph.
7 2000 Audi RS4 Avant
The RS4 Avant Quattro B5 from 2000 directly succeeded the immensely famous and loved station wagon that started Audi's journey in this segment of vehicles, the RS2 Avant. Powered by a 2.7-liter, V6 bi-turbo engine designed by Cosworth Technologies, the 2000 RS4 Avant was capable of producing a top speed of 163 mph that was electronically-limited, 375 hp in power, and 325 lb-ft in torque.
Equipped with a Quattro AWD system and a six-speed manual transmission, the RS4 Avant featured wider axles and fenders, newer suspension and brakes, and a revamped design. It is a car that could adequately capture the thrill of a fast performing Audi station wagon and is one of the best Audi cars ever made.
6 2017 Audi RS6 Avant Performance
One of the most outstanding station wagons created by Audi, the 2017 RS6 Avant Performance is powered by a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine rated to produce a maximum power output of 556 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. However, courtesy of an over-boost feature that the car has the power output further increases to a staggering 605 hp, and the maximum torque stands at 553 lb-ft, making the RS6 Avant Performance an impressive station wagon that can almost compete with supercars of today's market.
This immense power is delivered to the wheels using an all-wheel Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission system and the RS6 Avant Performance can reach a staggeringly high electronically governed top speed of 193 mph. Undoubtedly, it is one of the greatest Audis ever made.
5 2020 Audi RS6 Avant
Finally, an Audi station wagon will make its way across the ocean and be available in the United States, and it is none other than the fabulous 2020 Audi RS6 Avant. Producing a power output of 591 hp, the RS6 Avant from 2020 is powered by a 4-liter V8 engine. Available with eight-speed automatic transmission, launch control, and all-wheel drive, the 2020 RS6 Avant can accelerate from 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.4-seconds.
One of the best Audi models of the decade, it is a station wagon that looks like nothing before it and has everything one might need in a car.
4 2008 Audi RS6 Avant C6
As the RS and S models became immensely successful, Audi gained the confidence to go all out with their 2008 RS6 Avant. Competing with the BMW M5, Audi decided that the only way to prove their mettle and come out on top was to pair the station wagon with a Lamborghini engine. The result was the RS6 Avant, one of the best Audi car models on the market. The car is built on the C6 platform and powered by a 5-liter, V10, bi-turbo engine that was based on the engine of the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Coupled with its 571 hp power output, 479 lb-ft of torque, 0-62 mph acceleration of 4.6-seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 170 mph, the RS6 Avant from 2008 was a mind-numbingly fast station wagon.
3 2014 Audi RS4 Avant Nogaro
The last RS model to feature a naturally aspirated engine, the 2014 Audi RS4 Avant Nogaro was built as a tribute to one of the most famous car models that Audi had ever produced. In classic throwback style, the RS4 Avant Nogaro featured a black grille, blue Nogaro finish, blue touches in the interior, and oval exhausts in the rear.
Powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine, the RS4 Avant Nogaro could produce a maximum power output of 444 hp and had features like dynamic steering, Quattro AWD, rich exhaust note, and a sport differential. Although the top speed of the RS4 Avant Nogaro was electronically limited to 155 mph, buyers could pay extra money to the company to get it raised to 174 mph and even 189 mph.
2 2018 Audi RS4 Avant B9
It features the German automaker's latest turbocharged TFSI engine of 2.9-liters, the 2018 Audi RS4 Avant B9 was created as a tribute to the original RS4 from 1999.
Capable of producing a power output of 444 hp and a torque of 442.5 lb-ft, the RS4 Avant 2018 was more powerful and fast compared to the previous NA units that Audi had produced, not to mention it was also 200 lbs lighter. Other impressive features found in this sport wagon include a rear sport differential, eight-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission, options for Audi Drive select, and Quattro AWD.
1 2020 Audi S4 Avant TDI
Trying to make an efficient station wagon which boasts of deep-torque, the diesel-powered 2020 Audi S4 Avant TDI is a revelation. Equipped with a 3-liter V6 engine, an electric-powered compressor for robust drive-off performance, a 48-volt onboard main electrical system for added efficiency, the S4 Avant TDI is quite unique in the segment of vehicles that it belongs to.
Capable of producing a maximum power output of 342 hp and a massive torque of 516 lb-ft, the TDI uses a mild-hybrid system that guarantees great efficiency and robust performance. It can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155.3 mph and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds.