Station wagons aren’t just about practicality—they’ve been part of some iconic on-screen moments too. Over the years, these classic cars have carried families, chased villains, and even starred in a few comedic mishaps. Here are 20 station wagons that have played unforgettable roles in movies and TV shows.

1979 Ford LTD Wagon – National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

The Griswold family’s road misadventure wouldn’t have been the same without the hilariously absurd “Wagon Queen Family Truckster.” It was a heavily modified 1979 Ford LTD with faux wood paneling, which made it stand out for all the wrong reasons.  

1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser – That ’70s Show (1998-2006)

If a car was to appear on “That ’70s Show,” it had to look the decade. Eric Forman’s 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser personified the groovy 1970s and was the memorable hangout spot for the gang, and the unremarkable family hauler was often associated with youth rebellion.

1986 Volvo 245 DL – Beetlejuice (1988)

How remarkable is a car that takes you to the afterlife? That is precisely what the Maitland’s 1986 Volvo 245 DL did in “Beetlejuice.” Granted, it is not a trip we are too keen to take, but it’s not bad for what is essentially a boring car from what people think is a boring company.

1973 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser – The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)

In The Brady Bunch, the 1973 Custom Cruiser was the perfect ride for the archetype-setting blended household. Its spacious interior made it the ideal setting for many memorable moments in the show that many of us grew up watching. 

1966 Ford Country Squire – Bewitched (1964-1972)

Bewitched captured the picture-perfect facade of American suburbia, and The Stephens’ 1966 Ford Country Squire was an integral part of it. Many legendary on-screen pair’s enchanted antics starred their trusty family vehicle. 

1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria – The Sopranos (1999-2007)

Tony Soprano had a flair for the dramatic, but he kept it low-key with his Ford LTD Crown Victoria. The car reflected the everyday side of his life, including his struggles raising a family, and contrasted it with his high-stakes criminal endeavors. 

1996 Buick Century Station Wagon – The Middle (2009-2018)

A car model is not responsible for symbolizing the banality of life within a TV show, but the Heck family’s 1996 Buick Wagon managed to achieve that nonetheless. Mike Heck and his family’s lower-middle-class struggles manifested in the bland looks of this wagon.

1977 Chevrolet Caprice Estate – The Wonder Years (1988-1993)

Writers typecast the station wagon for a reason, and it was no different for the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Estate that the Arnolds drove around in “The Wonder Years.” This car featured Kevin Arnold coming of age and the spot where he articulates many of his childhood aspirations.

1996 Subaru Outback – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Buffy Summers’ mom, Joyce, drove this rugged Subaru, which fit her practical, suburban lifestyle as the parent of a teenage vampire slayer. The Outback’s durability and adaptability fit well in Sunnydale’s supernatural chaos. 

1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer – Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

The kingpin’s Pontiac Aztec may have stolen the show, but Skyler’s red 1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was another prominent resident of the White’s driveway. Walt’s better half had many memorable moments driving her Wagoneer.

1998 Volvo V70 Station Wagon – Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

One of television’s most memorable antagonists drove this blue, unassuming, and purposefully unmemorable car. Notably, Gus Fring’s Volvo was almost an extension of his character in the show, holding up a friendly, inconspicuous persona to fool the world. 

1990 Mercedes-Benz W124 E-Class Wagon – Parenthood (2010-2015)

The Braverman’s E-Class wagon perfectly represented their milquetoast, upper-middle class background. This 1990 W124 Mercedes was the perfect companion to the emotional outpourings of its family members. 

1989 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon – Family Matters (1989-1998)

In Family Matters, the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice often whisked the Winslow crew around Chicago. Its spacious interior was ideal for the lively household it carried around, becoming a backdrop for countless heartwarming moments. 

1957 Ford Country Sedan– Mad Men (2007-2015)

The shifting cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s was masterfully showcased by the Ford Station Wagon in Mad Men. Peggy Draper’s car was more than a stereotype for a suburban housewife—it was a thought-provoking counterpoint to the flash of Don Draper’s world. 

1984 Ford LTD Wagon – The X-Files (1993-2018)

Mulder’s 1984 Ford LTD was an inspired choice for the mysterious investigations in The X-Files. Its unassuming look matched Mulder’s personality and masked the weird nature of what its driver gets up to.

1971 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate – Scarface (1983)

This unassuming station wagon was a part of Tony Montana’s crew in a drug deal that ended in a violent shootout. The juxtaposition of a car associated with family wholesomeness with the bloodbath on the screen made for a memorable sequence in the film. 

1975 AMC Pacer Wagon – Wayne’s World (1992)

When Freddie Mercury himself calls a scene in your film “funny,” you have pop-culture history! Fans of the movie can’t help but sing “Bohemian Rhapsody” to commemorate the film’s opening whenever they spot a 1975 AMC Pacer Wagon out in the wild. 

1985 Toyota Cressida Wagon – Cobra Kai (2018-Present)

Daniel LaRusso’s 1985 Toyota Cressida is a nostalgic callback to the original Karate Kid. A staple of his suburban life, it highlights his character’s journey while maintaining a connection to his tumultuous past. This particular station vehicle represents his new, chosen family.

1983 Ford LTD Country Squire – Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

In the 1987 film, it is one of the most memorable vehicles from the film, despite its relatively short screen time. The full-size station wagon becomes part of the ongoing series of travel disasters experienced by Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Candy).

1970 Mercury Colony Park – The Simpsons (1989-Present)

The Marge Simpson 1970 Mercury Colony Park from The Simpsons is quite popular on the show and well recognized. Its somewhat panic-inducing opening tricks viewers into believing that an infant is driving the car, burning it in everyone’s memories.