What is the difference between a station wagon and a touring car?

[DeKayden]

There is no difference; a touring car is essentially a station wagon. It belongs to the category of hatchbacks. The advantages of hatchbacks are as follows: 1. Tailgate Accessibility: The trunk of a hatchback is more organized, and the tailgate offers better accessibility, making it easier to load more items conveniently. Sedans are at a clear disadvantage here, as even if they can hold more items, it often requires considerable adjustment. 2. Flexible Space: The rear seats of a hatchback can be folded down, allowing for more flexible allocation of passenger and luggage space based on the number of people and amount of luggage (even if sedans can do this, they cannot match the hatchback's capacity and practicality). 3. Maneuverability: Due to their shorter body length, hatchbacks may offer better driving fun in terms of handling (when compared to sedans of the same type) and are more versatile when parking or encountering oncoming traffic.

[VonHazel]

I've been driving for over a decade, and 'wagon' is just another term for a station wagon - essentially the same thing, just different names preferred by domestic car enthusiasts. In English, station wagons are called 'wagon,' with some directly transliterating it as 'wagon car,' similar to how SUVs are sometimes called off-road vehicles or urban multi-purpose vehicles. The most distinctive features of this type of vehicle are its elongated rear end and large trunk, which is raised to the level of the roof compared to a sedan, offering significantly more space while maintaining better handling than the bulkier SUVs. Classic models like the Audi A4 Avant and Volkswagen Variant are particularly common on European streets, combining ample luggage space with sleek styling. Although not mainstream in the domestic market, the practicality of these vehicles is truly unmatched.

[DiKaylee]

The terms 'Wagon' and 'Station Wagon' actually refer to the same concept, with the former being a phonetic translation and the latter a semantic one. Younger car enthusiasts prefer using 'Wagon' as it sounds trendier. Structurally, both are built on sedan platforms, but the roofline extends to the rear, unlike traditional three-box sedans where the trunk is separate. The most obvious feature is the rear door that opens together with the rear windshield, doubling the storage capacity. For example, the Volvo V60 is a classic station wagon design, capable of fitting three or four large suitcases in the back. These cars are particularly popular abroad, especially in Europe where almost every household has one, combining the fuel efficiency and comfort of a sedan with the utility of a small truck. Of course, options are limited in China, and prices tend to be higher.

[DelBrooke]

In my opinion, a 'wagon' is just another name for a station wagon—the difference is like tomatoes versus tomatos, different names for the same thing. The core feature is sacrificing the traditional three-box sedan design in exchange for a massive trunk space, with the roof and rear almost forming a straight line. The practicality is undeniable—perfect for weekend trips with pets, easily fitting cat or dog crates, or handling three or four suitcases on a road trip without breaking a sweat. It retains the low center of gravity of a sedan, making it more stable in corners than an SUV. Unfortunately, options are limited in the domestic market, and many mistakenly think these cars resemble minivans. In reality, some station wagons, like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, are even more stylish than sedans.