Honda hopes that sleek styling and a smart interior will help its new Civic Tourer compact station wagon boost the automaker’s flagging sales in Europe.

Although more buyers are choosing SUVs and crossovers over traditional cars, Honda expects European wagon sales to rise in the next few years and predicts that the Civic Tourer will account for about 20 percent of total Civic sales in the region.

Honda last sold a wagon in Europe 14 years ago, but with rival Toyota launching a wagon version of the Auris, the niche is becoming more competitive as Asian brands challenge European automakers’ dominance.

The Civic Tourer is 235mm longer than the five-door Civic hatchback sold in Europe. It is also the lowest wagon in the compact segment, but has the biggest trunk volume in its class, said Patrik Ponec, project leader for the Civic Tourer.

Honda also expects many Civic Tourer buyers to opt for its new 1.6-liter diesel, which the company says is the lightest in its class, with CO2 emissions of 99 grams per kilometer. The Civic Tourer also will be offered with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine depending on the market.