2008 BMW 3-Series wagon

Top experts recommend the BMW 3-Series more than any other premium wagon. Car-enthusiast magazines say its powerful engine and nimble handling make this sporty wagon fun to drive. Other reviewers like the 3-Series wagon's comfortable cockpit and luxury touches, such as heated mirrors and climate-controlled console storage. Experts recommend it more often than the far more expensive Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon (*est. $55,700 to $85,800), but cargo space in the BMW 3-Series station wagon is small (60 cubic feet) compared with some other wagons, including the less expensive Subaru Outback (*est. $21,995 to $32,195) at 66 cubic feet. Testers complain that the BMW 3-Series wagon's backseat doesn't offer enough legroom, while experts and users often find fault with the wagon's iDrive interface, which comes with the optional navigation system and also runs the climate control, music, and trip computer features. They say it is unnecessarily complicated.

Consumer Reports conducts the most unbiased testing of the BMW 3-Series wagon, rating it on more than 50 measures and ranking it against its competitors. KBB.com's review also ranks the BMW 3-series against other wagons, and its testing and written review are only slightly less exhaustive than Consumer Reports'. Consumer Guide chooses "Best Buys" based on road tests, and its written review of the BMW 3-Series explains the numeric scores it receives. Reviews at Automobile Magazine and Car and Driver are shorter, and they focus more on the BMW 3-Series' fun factor than its practicality.