SUV Popularity Has Remained Strong Over Station Wagons

Despite shifting growth in China, SUVs remain the preferred family vehicle choice globally.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Car Types

Isometric editorial illustration of a modular vehicle chassis showing adjustable seating and cargo space in a clean, minimalist environment. — Global automotive markets continue to favor SUVs over station wagons as consumers prioritize high driving positions and versatile seating configurations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you choose an SUV over a sedan or wagon for your next vehicle purchase?

While station wagon sales grew 27.8 percent in China in 2025 to reach 161,000 units, industry experts maintain that SUVs continue to dominate the market. This trend holds as buyers prioritize higher driving positions and easier accessibility over traditional wagon designs.

Why it matters

Buyers increasingly favor the high driving position, improved sightlines, and easier ingress and egress offered by SUVs compared to wagons. These consumer preferences have significantly reshaped global vehicle availability over the past decade.

Wagon sales in China totaled 161,000 units in 2025, with further growth projected at 16.1 percent for 2026. Conversely, the Australian market has seen the number of available station wagon nameplates decline by about two-thirds over the last 10 years.

The players

Steve Eum

The global design director at Chery who oversees development strategy for the brand's SUV and utility vehicle product lines.

Chery

A global automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of SUVs and developing experimental crossover vehicle models.

The details

Automakers are increasingly utilizing crossover design techniques to blend traditional vehicle styles into versatile new configurations. For example, the Chery Tiggo V revealed at the Beijing motor show features a design that allows users to remove the rear canopy and rearmost row of seats to create a utility configuration. This approach provides six available configurations, allowing owners to adapt one vehicle for different cargo or passenger needs.

1980s and 1990s: People movers gained popularity in Europe and the US.
1990s and 2000s: Station wagons saw a decline in popularity across the US and Australia.
2016: Australia hosted roughly three times the number of wagon nameplates than today.
2025: Wagon sales in China grew by 27.8 percent.
2026: Wagon sales in China are projected to grow by 16.1 percent.

The Home Front

The global automotive market continues to drift away from traditional station wagons as consumer preference shifts toward the utility and accessibility of SUVs. This transition mirrors the decade-long reduction in wagon diversity seen in markets like Australia.

When shopping for a family vehicle, evaluate how your current cargo and passenger needs align with the higher entry points of an SUV versus the lower profiles of remaining wagons. If you require maximum versatility, research emerging modular designs that allow for configurable interior layouts.

The takeaway

While station wagons are seeing a sales bump in China, the broader global market remains heavily skewed toward the height and utility of SUVs. When selecting a vehicle for your household, consider how a crossover design might offer more long-term flexibility than a traditional wagon.