Station Wagon Information

Station wagons are an increasingly fuzzy category as more crossover SUVs appear on the market. Many hatchbacks can also be considered small station wagons, so the line is blurred even further. True station wagons have a low profile, a longer cargo area than a hatchback and a cabin roof that generally doesn't slope sharply down to the back bumper (like most hatchbacks). Station wagons usually seat five, while crossover vehicles generally have a third row of seats -- or at least an optional third row. If you're not sure you want a station wagon, our report on economy cars covers hatchbacks, while our SUV reports includes crossovers. For seating capacity, you may also consider a minivan.

The Society of Automotive Engineers publishes a monthly automotive magazine that provides detailed technical information that's often not available anywhere else. You can search for and read some of the articles on its website, but others are available only to members. Enter the vehicle model or the topic of interest into the search box.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a web database of all recalls. Search by year, make or model.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts its own independent crash tests and publishes the results at its website. The vehicles with the highest safety ratings are awarded the organization's coveted Top Safety Pick award.

With high fuel prices still fresh in drivers' memories, the best place to research any vehicle's fuel-economy rating is at the EPA's FuelEconomy.gov website.