When Jeff Adler sold his tomato-red 1985 Mercedes-Benz station wagon in 2009, it had 314,000 miles on the odometer. “I just loved it. I felt great driving it,” says the New York real estate agent.

The Super Station Wagon’s rear seat is removable to take advantage of the car’s 250-pound load capacity. Its spacious cargo area is easily accessed through the lift-up backlite/drop-down tailgate.

you could say we’re harboring a yearning desire for a hot compact station wagon here in the U.S. There’s no relief for our affliction in sight, but it has flared up again now that VW’s ...