BMW 520d, Skoda Superb and VW Passat tested: Are diesel station wagons not a thing of the past?

Diesel is proving to be surprisingly durable as a passenger car powertrain. Contrary to all forecasts and doomsday scenarios, it remains a fixture, at least in the European market. Want some examples? Last year, almost half a million diesel cars were newly registered in Germany, only slightly fewer than electric cars, including plug-ins and full hybrids, which each accounted for just over half a million registrations.

After extensive test drives with the three candidates in this comparison test, it seems easy to continue believing in the future of the diesel engine. As a power source that's as economical and climate-friendly as it is practical and comfortable, the diesel engine isn't faring too badly. Moreover, thanks to sophisticated exhaust gas treatment, it releases comparatively few pollutants into the atmosphere. Certainly, when it's featured in such a highly developed form as in the 520d Touring, Superb TDI Combi, and Passat TDI Variant.

Well, let's get testing it out – with all-wheel drive station wagons. Because it's one of the idiosyncrasies of the Skoda and VW product ranges to offer the most powerful versions exclusively with all-wheel drive, the BMW also offers an xDrive.

The two-liter diesel engine from the B47 engine family in the 5 Series delivers 145 kW or 197 hp, powered by a starter generator and a 48-volt electrical system. Skoda and Volkswagen each feature a two-liter four-cylinder EA288 evo engine in the 193 hp version.

The light-alloy engine in both station wagons is very restrained in terms of noise and vibration – although the BMW diesel is slightly better in this regard – and also shines with low fuel consumption and good performance. We measured a test fuel consumption of around six liters, with the Skoda using a few tenths of a diesel fuel more. This applies to both the test average and the Eco, Commuter, and Sport Driver fuel consumption. The engine in the 520d proves to be practically just as economical.

A good testament to BMW's drivetrain, given that the 5 Series Touring weighs almost 400 pounds more than the comparatively svelte Superb and Passat. Or to put it another way: Without a 48-volt system and a power-assisted electric motor, the BMW probably wouldn't perform as well.

Test fuel consumption is just one aspect. In real life, you have to really push the accelerator to achieve average fuel consumption above six liters per 100 kilometers. In most everyday situations, you'll be significantly more economical. Thrifty drivers can easily get by on just under five liters. These are pretty sensational figures, considering we're not driving frugal small cars, but full-size two-ton station wagons that can accommodate up to five people, carry well over 500 kg of payload, and travel well over 200 km/h.

Naturally, all three comply with the current Euro 6e standard. And if you're interested in the CO2 emissions during test consumption, it's around 160 grams per km—a figure that would have been considered a small car not long ago.

The environmental aspect is also reflected in the fact that the three station wagons are manufactured in the EU: the BMW in Dingolfing, Skoda and VW in Bratislava, each just a short transport route away from the German buyer.

What about the performance, you ask? Even the most discerning driver has little to complain about. This also applies to the 520d, although it ranks at the lower end of the 5-series range in terms of performance. But with acceleration to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 218 km/h, you can live comfortably without feeling underpowered.

In the Superb and Passat, the virtually identical performance feels a bit faster, which may also be due to expectations. Both sister models, the 2.0 TDI 4x4 and 2.0 TDI 4Motion, are the top diesel models in their series. They're certainly not slower than the BMW—quite the opposite. From around 80 km/h (50 mph), they pull away and even reach higher top speeds of 230 km/h (145 mph) for the Skoda and 232 km/h (144 mph) for the VW.

Not that it plays a major role in everyday station wagon use. Other qualities are more important there. For example, how much space the car offers for passengers and luggage – a discipline in which the Superb and Passat are hard to beat. The 520d Touring may be a few centimeters longer and certainly doesn't lack space, but it can't quite keep up with the cargo volumes of the Superb Combi and Passat. Up to 1,920 liters fit in the rear compartments, compared to 1,700 liters in the BMW.

All three station wagons have easily usable luggage compartments, although none offers a completely flat loading area. The BMW boasts three separately folding backrest sections, while the competition only has two backrests that fold down, including a hatch. What's also noticeable is that the 5 Series has now also dispensed with the separately opening rear window. It was not only a particularly practical but also quite extravagant feature of BMW station wagons and SUVs – ever since the first 5 Series Touring of the E34 series in 1991. It's a shame.

Dingolfing, however, didn't skimp on the suspension. The test car was fitted with the adaptive Professional suspension (€2,440), which, in addition to the adaptive dampers, also includes Integral Active Steering, which allows the rear wheels to turn up to 2.5 degrees. This gives the 520d a thoroughly pleasant ride, even when Sport mode is activated using the My Mode touchscreen.

Nevertheless, the Superb and Passat still prove to be somewhat smoother here. The differences are small, but after driving together on the comfortable routes, the test team agreed: Skoda ranks ahead of VW and BMW in this criterion. When driving at high speed with a light load, however, a somewhat different picture emerges: The BMW's suspension seems to offer particularly fine suspension, while the two front-wheel-drive models are a touch harsher.

Nevertheless, a sense of well-being is the order of the day in all three station wagons, with excellent seating in both rows ensuring that occupants feel well cared for. Particularly high-quality seats can be found in the BMW (comfort seats, €1,200) and the VW (leather package including Ergo-Active seats, €2,255), while the Skoda boasts a standard massage function.

In terms of space and seating comfort in the rear, the differences are surprisingly small. In the Skoda, the headrests can even be converted into sleeping supports, and passengers can wrap themselves in a cozy blanket, which is also included in the family package (€490). One of these brand-typical simply-clever ideas has also found its way into the VW: the umbrella in the driver's door.

The test team could have really used that on their trips through the Swabian Alb. With unspringlike drizzle and temperatures in the single digits above zero, the best place to be is behind the wheel. Especially when it comes to exploring the car's dynamic qualities.

This confirms what was already hinted at in other comparison tests: The current G60 5 Series has lost its traditional leading position in handling in the executive sedan class. This applies not only to the comparison with the Mercedes E-Class, but also in this test. In winding conditions, the Passat and Superb seem more agile and aggressive than the weighty 5 Series. The latter maintains a certain premium gravitas in the bends, which admittedly seems less fun to drive.

This is certainly partly due to the steering, which lacks spontaneity and bite. Perhaps the rear-axle steering somewhat blurs the precise line through the curve. The VW is best at this, sweeping around corners when needed, without noticeable understeer and with almost unshakeable neutrality. Almost, because the dynamic driving exercises on the test track show that the Passat sometimes overdoes it, reacting with noticeable tail swings after a grippy turn-in.

Such recklessness is far removed from the other two station wagons. In those, the electronic driving aids intervene more forcefully earlier. What the BMW does better than its two competitors, by the way, is brake. Whether the system is cold or warm, it needs one or two meters less to come to a stop from 100 km/h. Although the braking feel suffers from the somewhat mushy pedal feedback.

Which brings us to another area where BMW has lost another leading position: controls. While the five-seater cockpit still features a version of the rotary push-button controller, it's no longer as clearly and concisely structured as it once was. At least not much clearer than the competition.

What else is there to say about station wagons? You, dear readers, will already know that prices for cars of this size have reached price levels where the adjective "bourgeois" no longer applies.

Skoda is an exception here. The Superb with the most powerful diesel engine and four-wheel drive is available starting at €49,200, because this combination is available even in the most basic trim level. The Passat and 520d can't compete. Thus, the Skoda ultimately wins the comparison test on points, even though the BMW is slightly ahead in the performance rating.