The writing was already on the wall when sales of compact crossovers and SUVs exceeded sedans. Consumer tastes have changed dramatically to say the least - even hatchbacks have been raised and super sized to fit the SUV “mould”. That leaves other more niche form factors like station wagons to swim in troubled waters, which is rather ironic as they have foundations arguably more functional than even SUVs.

Sure, their elongated silhouettes and tailgates with designs restricted by lower ride heights had to compete with sporty SUVs and taller bodies that make loading less cumbersome. But wagons fundamentally drive better due to a lower centre of gravity. Now, pair it with an enticingly affordable annual depreciation and there you have bargain basement deals that new cars can only envy.

2015 Mazda6 wagon

Depreciation: S$15,000 per year

This stretched 6 dispels any notion that all wagons are unattractive. The rear three quarter is perhaps its best angle. It weighs only 26kg more than the 6 sedan, and sprints to 100km/h in slightly more than 8 seconds. It won’t supply turbo-fed thrills, but the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated motor can be enjoyed for its free revving, silky smooth delivery. That’s probably what you’d be after in a car that swallows more than 1,500 litres worth of goods with rear seats folded down. Mazda might not have dived head in on the EV game just yet, but timeless cars like this 6 makes us understand why. This unit’s COE expires in a year’s time - stretching your dollar for another cycle makes plenty of sense here.

2015 Chevrolet Cruze station wagon

Depreciation: S$12,900 per year

Living in the shadows of Japanese and Korean rivals is no bad thing for Chevy nearly a decade later. While the Cruze was launched, it had its work cut out fending off serious competition from the Altis and Civic. Here in wagon guise it plays its trump card being an “old school” turbo automatic wagon, in a period where the competition has moved on to hybridisation and e-CVTs. 138bhp and 200Nm are more than sufficient for Singapore roads, and with almost 1,500 litres of cargo capacity coupled with its unassuming, understated looks, there’s not many wagons left that thrive while flying under the radar.

2017 Ford Focus wagon

Depreciation: S$11,900 per year

We knew that the pendulum had swung towards crossover’s favour. Even the 4th-gen Focus estate was not spared - it was offered in a “crossover-inspired” trim level in some markets. But it still remains as a thoroughbred estate, free from black plastic-clad wheel arches. Just like the 2nd-gen Focus estate we featured a couple of years back, it felt far more spacious than its compact stature suggests. It’s a pity that the Focus will be discontinued in 2025 to make way for Ford’s electrification efforts. But at least for now we can grab hold of one of the better handling wagons in Singapore that’s not asking for a king’’s ransom.

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