EmailStation wagons are popular again, but you won't often find them called station wagons. Today's models are often adaptations of minivans or SUVs. But station wagons are a good compromise if you want the interior space of an SUV but want the better fuel economy of a smaller car.
Reviews say you should remember a few key points when shopping for a station wagon:
- Station wagons are all about space. Wagons can offer at least as much space as SUVs, but not all are created equal. Look for storage-increasing devices in a wagon, such as floor storage, cargo nets and adjustable roof racks. In addition, most wagons include fold-down seats to increase the possible amount of rear cargo space -- and split-folding rear seats add helpful flexibility in vehicle use.
- Consider all-wheel drive. AWD is a good choice if you live in an area with harsh winters, but keep in mind that it will decrease your gas mileage. Wagons like the Subaru Outback offer AWD standard. Many others offer it as an option.
- Check safety features. Station wagons are usually family cars, yet cheaper models often lack standard safety features. Experts say you want side airbags for all rows, along with electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.
- Check out hatchbacks if the rear seat isn't as important. If you're interested in a wagon for its enclosed cargo space, you might also consider a hatchback, as long as you don't need the rear seat very often for passengers. Hatchbacks are covered in our report on
economy cars .
- Consider a minivan, SUV or crossover if you need more room for passengers. Crossovers look like an SUV, but they're generally based on sedan platforms rather than truck architecture. Many feature a third row of seats (or offer this as an option). Minivans are another option, with rear sliding doors as their hallmark, along with a taller roofline and third row of passenger seating.
Trends for late 2009 and 2010
Although the U.S. government has delayed tougher roof-strength standards for vehicles, the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is developing its own ratings to let consumers know which vehicles' roofs are strongest -- and weakest. A strong roof is especially important in a rollover crash, according to IIHS. IIHS plans to rate vehicles' roof strength starting with the 2010 model year, the Society of Automotive Engineers reports.
Industry watchers note that more new wagons will hit dealerships in the coming months, from Saab, Cadillac, Honda, Volvo and BMW.
Jordan Brown at Car and Driver says "the Swedish do their best Outback impression" with the upcoming Saab 9-3X, a jacked-up, all-wheel-drive version of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi that does resemble the Subaru Outback (*est. $22,295 to $32,095). Saab plans to bring the 9-3X to the U.S. for the 2010 model year. Although Saab hasn't said how much the 9-3X will cost, Brown speculates it will retail for around $45,000. It will debut in March 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Cadillac says its long-awaited 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon will hit dealerships by spring 2009. Based on Cadillac's premium midsize CTS sedan, the wagon will feature 25 feet of cargo space behind the backseat and a 304-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. A smaller engine may be available by summer 2009, according to Consumer Guide, which estimates the Cadillac wagon will start at about $40,000.
Honda has confirmed it will introduce its first wagon in more than a decade in the fall of 2009, Autoblog.com reports. The wagon will likely be Honda's answer to the Toyota Venza (*est. $25,975 to $29,250) with a similar price tag, according to reports.
Britain's Autocar magazine wrote in 2008 about a possible Volvo V30, a small wagon -- but bigger than the Audi A3 (*est. $26,920 to $36,975) -- intended to boost Volvo's profits, which mostly come from wagon sales. Autocar predicts the V30 will be introduced for model year 2010. Consumer Guide estimates the V30 will start at $28,000, with an all-wheel-drive XC30 version starting at $31,000.
Consumer Guide predicts BMW will introduce a new BMW F3 wagon (*est. $35,000 or more) in the U.S. market in 2010, as a 2011 model. Built on the BMW 3 Series platform, the F3 will sit lower than an SUV but higher than the BMW 3 Series wagon (*est. $36,025 to $37,925), Consumer Guide says, with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.