Best Station Wagons

The best 2009 wagons hit the sweet spot of performance, practicality and value

Three new wagons have joined this category for 2009, but experts still prefer their old standby, the Subaru Outback. All but one midpriced wagon (the Volkswagen Passat) offer all-wheel drive at extra cost, but the Outback includes it as standard equipment -- and it's still the least expensive wagon in its class.

Reviews say the rugged Outback is competent in light off-road driving, with a smooth ride on-road. Over the years, the Outback has proven to be durable and reliable. Crash-test scores are excellent. You can expect about 22 mpg in mixed driving from the base four-cylinder engine, according to the EPA's fuel economy estimates. Testers say acceleration improves with the step-up turbocharged and H6 engines, but mileage suffers slightly.

One common complaint is that the Subaru Outback's rear seat is a little cramped for adults, but cargo volume is a roomy 65 cubic feet. Reviewers at MotherProof.com love the removable plastic cargo insert that collects the mud, water and gravel that usually drip from a stroller's wheels.

Ford Flex, Toyota Venza can't surpass the Outback

Two attention-grabbing additions to the midpriced wagon category are getting mixed reviews from critics: the boxy, seven-passenger Ford Flex (*Est. $28,550 to $34,960) and the sleeker five-passenger Toyota Venza (*Est. $25,975 to $29,250).

CanadianDriver.com reviewers say the Ford Flex handles "surprisingly well" considering its tall, square profile, which Automobile Magazine says is "reminiscent of wood-sided station wagons from the 1940s and '50s." Editors there name the Flex a 2009 Automobile All-Star, as a stylish seven-passenger newcomer in a field full of tiny fuel-sippers.

But The Wall Street Journal's Jeff Sabatini points out that there's a reason why automakers are concentrating on gas misers these days. He finds it odd that Ford would introduce something that gets 19 mpg in mixed driving (18 mpg with all-wheel drive) at a time when consumers are worried about seesawing gas prices. Testers say the Ford Flex wagon is comfortable, but they point out it's not as roomy as a minivan.

As the only new Toyota this year, the Toyota Venza gets a lot of attention from reviewers. At MotherProof.com, a mom with two kids can't find a single flaw with the Venza. She says its sleek exterior and comfortable, well appointed interior "didn't scream mommy-mobile; it just might be my next new car." Even the hard-to-please reviewers at The Truth About Cars recommend the Venza as a good compromise between SUV, sedan and minivan.

But other reviewers say the Venza is overpriced. The Wall Street Journal's Jeff Sabatini finds the Venza's all-wheel drive useless on winter roads: "the worst I have ever tested." He achieves only 19 mpg (the EPA estimates 21 mpg for the AWD version, 22 mpg for front-wheel drive). Thane Peterson at BusinessWeek predicts families will ignore the Venza because it lacks a third row.

Alternatives to the Subaru Outback

The Volkswagen Passat wagon (*Est. $29,690) doesn't excite any controversy among critics, but does quietly offer solid quality and performance, according to reviews. The Passat is the only traditional family-sedan-based wagon in this category besides the Subaru Outback, Edmunds.com editors point out. Although it costs more than the Outback, reviews say the Passat is a good value; it includes a lot of standard features (such as heated windshield-washer nozzles, an alarm system and pinch-protection power windows) that would cost extra on most other midpriced wagons. The Passat's passenger/cargo room and gas mileage (22 mpg) are comparable to the Subaru Outback's, but the Passat doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

The compact Audi A3 (*Est. $26,920 to $36,975) isn't recommended as often as you might think, considering that it's consistently one of the top-performing wagons in expert tests. Its "seductive" styling, punchy base 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine and fun handling are enough to make Car and Driver critics enthusiastic about a wagon, for once. More practical-minded experts note that the A3 gets good gas mileage (24 mpg with the base engine and front-wheel drive) and excellent safety scores. Unfortunately, the A3 is also one of the least reliable wagons, according one top consumer survey. It's less spacious than other midpriced wagons, and options such as all-wheel drive quickly drive up the price. Premium fuel raises the cost of ownership even higher, note critics.

The Volvo V50 (*Est. $29,800 to $35,500) has a smaller price tag, smaller engine and smaller interior than premium-priced Volvos. Nearly 63 cubic feet of cargo room is available with the seats down -- almost as much as the Subaru Outback -- but critics say the V50 feels like a compact wagon if three adults try to squeeze into the backseat. Testers complain about the V50's stiff, noisy ride and unimpressive fuel economy (21 mpg, or 23 mpg with all-wheel drive, according to the EPA). The V50 has also had some reliability problems in the past, but reviewers are waiting to see how the recently refreshed model performs.