Chapotraphouse

The modern ultimate practical large vehicle is the minivan. It's a vehicle form factor that is designed for maximum comfort and utility, with no compromises. If you have multiple kids getting in and out on the regular, or if you need to be able to transport lots of cargo, then there is no vehicle type that will make your life easier than a minivan.

SUVs are for people who want a minivan but are misogynistic. Crossovers are for people who consider themselves better than the SUV people but haven't fully purged their misogynistic priors. Hatchbacks are for people who would get a minivan if they needed one but can't justify owning a vehicle of that size.

Full size vans and trucks are also an option if your needs truly justify the increased size. If you're in true "bang for buck" practicality mode, look for former fleet vehicles being sold off. They'll have a lot of use but they were probably well taken care of.

Everything is crossover

You’ll soon find out modern station wagons are more expensive than Porsche 911s. Unfortunately, everyone thinks (justifiably so) they’re cool now

I have a mazda5 mini-minivan. It's primo

Toyota Venza. If you scrounge up one of the 2010s models with the 2GR-FE V6, that thing is fucking indestructible and you have a car that is easily capable of making it about 500,000 miles with just routine maintenance, assuming it has had all its oil changes on time and the VVT system doesn't have a startup death rattle. And if the rustproofing is intact, anyway.

The interior is basically the same as the Lexus RX, but it sits lower like a wagon, and is otherwise like a slightly shorter minivan.

I can't speak to the current generation; I think they brought it back recently with some turbocharged monstrosity under the hood that may or may not grenade itself. 2020s Toyota is not so great for reliability compared to their older models (with the exception of the current-gen Corolla hybrid).

If the frame rails aren't Swiss cheese, the engine is in good mechanical condition, and it isn't such an oddball model that parts are all but impossible to procure I'd be inclined to keep it running. Maintenance isn't a guaranteed monthly requirement, but a car payment is.

Do manufacturers even make station wagons anymore? I'm not talking about Subaru crossover wagons or the offerings from VW, I mean Family Truckster wagons. I've owned two, a 1967 Fairlane wagon and a 93 Caprice wagon. I love station wagons. If I didn't do so much weekend work that requires hauling pipe and odd shaped largeish stuff, I'd be looking for one to restore and drive daily.

minivan

Look into the Honda Fit/Jazz. It's the spiritual successor to station wagons and does the job beautifully with 40mpg fuel efficiency and the handling of a sporty subcompact. With the seats down it hauls as much as a 1990s Ford Ranger.

A deeply cursed answer, but if you don't need much range the Opel Ampera-e is a perfect dumb EV with no tracking or smart bullshit. Plug in android auto/Carplay on the dashboard. If you're hauling a lot of shit, you could do a rear seat delete. A bike does fit, but you can only bring one friend.

nothing too flash, strictly for transportation

What country are you in? An old pick-up with a bed cover might expand your model range. Where I live (not the US), there is a plethora of 20yo trucks for under $3k.

The bmw station wagons they made from the later 90s until about 2012 or so (depending on the model) were fairly bullet proof. With regular maintenance they could go well over 200k miles. Not great fuel economy though.

But you should really just check out the full sized vans. All the brands basically make their own versions of those and they are way better for hauling stuff than almost anything including pickup trucks.

Toyota Corolla Cross, if you can find one near MSRP, is a fantastic value especially with a few trim packages added.

Hybrid drivetrain, leather seats, decent ride height, nice cargo capacity, all built on a sedan frame. $10k-$15k cheaper than similar models like Mazda CX30.

Plus they hold value incredibly well, aren’t packed with a ridiculous amount of tech, and looks great.

I know the “buy used” army comes out in force but I genuinely believe for some drivers and vehicles, buying new makes more financial sense especially if you can afford to buy in cash.

If you are a genuinely good driver, you will put less wear on a vehicle in 3 years than the average American driver does in one year, despite driving the same yearly miles. If you buy a 3 year old vehicle driven like shit (like 99% of Americans do), at a 40% discount, when that same car would have lasted you three times longer bought new….

Idk call it boy math or whatever but with used car prices being 75% or more of new in the post-clunker and post-Covid market,it’s pretty compelling if you can buy in cash.

Used mini van. Real construction workers know it's the only way to roll. More cargo space than a truck, better fuel exactly l economy, you can live out of it if you need to, they can tow, low deck height makes it easy to get stuff in and out, they're comfy and can seat 7-9 if you need to.

I use my car for long distance travel some times.

It won’t have a third row of seats but I’ve always had enough space with a hatchback where the back seats fold down. Also great for sleeping in with an air mattress.

If you want the third row you pretty much have to go mini van or suv these days. Idk maybe my peers aren’t too old yet but I usually have a volunteer to sit in the trunk if too many people need a ride. Not safe to be sure but neither are cars in general…

What kind of hauling we talking about. Best normal vehicle I've used for carrying stuff was a tiny truck. Not those huge ones that 99% of their owners have no need for. The little ones like an Isuzu. Next best is a proper van like the commercial white ones. Actually pretty great for hauling bikes and having a little bed for car camping bike adventures but terrible gas mileage. Next best is probably a minivan, the kind where you can take out the back seats. That leaves tons of room and can still seat at least 4 while hauling.

Volvo still makes long cars, you can put down the seats and it'll have lots of space and power.

I bought an 07 toyota Sequoia and took out the 3rd row and it's been a solid utility vehicle for the last few years. That 2uz is about as bullet proof as engines get and while the mpg isn't great if your just using it for hauling cargo or people it works great. Plus there's a million billion 1st gen Sequoia and tundras out there so it should be relatively easy getting parts when you need.

I bought mine in 2024 with 135k miles and have driven it with a travel trailer hithed up most of the time up to 192k over the past two years and the only mechanical failure has been the latching mechanism on the back hatch, which is definitely the big known issue with this gen. If you do heavy hauling I think the sr5 trim comes with a transmission-cooler, mine did, which will help keep your transmission in good shape.

I got mine single owner for a bit under 10k which I felt was reasonable for how many miles I plan on getting out of it.

I went from an inherited 99 Buick park Ave to a 5 door Prius hatchback (2019), and I’ve been super happy with it. The thing I most hear from people is “that’s not going to fit in there” followed by “huh holy shit” as I’m driving away with it loaded. Examples include: electric organ; furniture; stone/mulch/dirt; lumber (assuming it’s under 10’); tandem bicycle. In my experience it hauls better than the f150 I had to drive for work, but obviously doesn’t have the frame for trailering (I don’t have any welder friends).

I also put a rack on top and can easily haul a canoe and bike up there; and have the back loaded with other gear. Very comfortable to sleep in, I’ll use it for trips where I don’t feel like setting up a tent, and it’s nice to watch the stars through the big hatch. Plus it’s been so fucking funny making people mad by complaining about gas prices these days; I swear I go through like $20 of gas a month!!

But yeah I think anyone in this thread is right; what’s the deal? Do you people work for a living or something? :p

I find my hatchback very handy. I've got a small farm and I have legit hauled 800 pounds of feed in it. Plus you can fold down 1, 2, or all 3 seats in the back for extra storage. It definitely holds as much as a station wagon that way, however if you're really worried about hauling the hearse suggestion is primo.

Horse and cart SMH cars are the devil