USED CARS - Station Wagons

Best 2007 station wagons

One of the most distinctive looking station wagons is the Dodge Magnum (*est. $23,245 to $37,670) , based on the same platform as the equally distinctive Chrysler 300 sedan, with an aggressive-looking front grill and boxy chassis. With just about the roomiest interior available in a station wagon, the Dodge Magnum featured in reports at Edmunds.com. Other reviews also say the Magnum is a good blend of practicality and flash. The Dodge Magnum is also a favorite of critics at CarCritic.com, and it's covered thoroughly at Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Guide.

The Dodge Magnum, which is available only as a wagon (the Dodge Charger is the sedan variant), comes with four engine options (most other wagons only have one or two options), from a 200-hp, 2.7-liter V6 as the base engine, up to a 425-hp V8 Hemi. Fuel economy varies considerably depending on the engine, but in testing at Consumer Guide, you can expect about 16 mpg in mixed driving from the base engine, down to around 14 mpg for the Hemi. Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, electronic stability control and traction control (options on the base model), along with front airbags. Side-curtain airbags are optional on all models. Crash test results for front impacts are good, but side-impact scores are poor without the optional side-curtain airbags.

Aside from a great range of engine choices, other pluses include terrific cargo room and interior room. Ride and handling are good, but not best-in-class. Visibility is an issue because of the low roofline that gives it such a distinctive look. The sticker price is low for such a roomy car, however. Overall reliability is a bit below average -- according to CarCritic.com, the main issue is the optional all-wheel-drive system.

We also found excellent reviews for the Audi A4 Avant (*est. $31,340 to $38,640) , an entry-level luxury wagon that's sort of a polar opposite to the Magnum. Where the Dodge Magnum wagon is big and brash, the Audi is smaller and more conservative. According to reviews, the Audi A4 offers a luxurious feel without breaking the bank, while delivering a comfortable and proficient driving experience. It is noted by even the most favorable reviews that the A4 is not the most unique vehicle on the road in terms of style, and it doesn't burn down the highway. Instead, the vehicle offers up a tortoise-like, slow and steady feel, as well as being one of the safest wagons on the highway, according to crash test ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Engine options for the Audi A4 Avant wagon include a 200-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 or a 255-hp, 3.1-liter V-6. Fuel efficiency for the base engine averages about 23 mpg in mixed driving (less for the larger engine). When the rear seats are folded, there's about 60 cubic feet of cargo space -- compared to 70 cubic feet for the larger Dodge Magnum wagon, which illustrates the difference in size between the two. Standard safety features are more generous, with six standard airbags, antilock brakes, brake assist and an antiskid system. Long-term reliability is above average.

Reviews say buyers are attracted to the Audi A4 because it's a luxury wagon for a less-than-luxury price. It lacks the attitude and power of the Magnum, but the aggressive Magnum simply doesn't appeal to a lot of mainstream family-car buyers. The Audi A4 Avant has better overall reliability, safety features and crash test ratings, along with a refined interior in a more conservative package.

Subaru has three wagons in its lineup. The most well known is the Subaru Outback (*est. $21,995 to $34,195) . The Outback is a rugged wagon that reviews say is competent in light off-road driving. While not many changes have been made to the 2006 version of the Outback wagon, reviewers are still excited about its smooth ride quality and durability. In fact, IntelliChoice ranks the Subaru Outback as the best-value mid-sized station wagon for 2007, and it is thoroughly evaluated at KBB.com. The Subaru Outback has standard all-wheel-drive on all models, along with a higher ground clearance that makes it a better bet on country roads and dirt tracks.

Engines include a 175-hp 4-cylinder, along with a turbocharged 243-hp 4-cylinder and a 245-hp 3-liter H6. Reviews say you can expect about 20 mpg in mixed driving from the base engine, though you’ll get less with the turbocharged and H6 engines. ABS, front airbags, front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard. Crash tests for the related Subaru Legacy are excellent (the Legacy wagon is similar to the Outback, with AWD but without the sport styling and higher ground clearance). Cargo volume for the Subaru Outback is about 66 cubic feet, placing it size-wise in between the Audi A4 Avant and the Dodge Magnum. One common complaint is that the rear seat is a little cramped for adult passengers.

The Subaru Legacy (*est. $21,495 to $30,895) receives excellent reviews from Edmunds.com, and editors do a nice job making comparisons to other wagons, The Car Family (reviewers for Motorists.org) and the Institute for Consumer Automotive Research also cover the Legacy. In reviews, safety and performance are high points. The wagon is not the most spacious, but it is comfortable and the GT model gets the best ratings for performance. Essentially, the Legacy is the Outback minus the sport styling and higher ground clearance. Its styling gets some mixed reviews, with critics split -- some say it's in need of a revamp. Crash-test scores are excellent.

The Volkswagen Passat (*est. $24,370 to $33,320) , despite the questions about reliability, is often recommended in reviews. While the Dodge is big and aggressive, the Audi is small and classy, and the Subaru Outback is rugged, the Passat wagon is somewhere in between them all. According to reviews, the Passat blends a refined interior with practicality and performance. It costs less than the more refined Audi, but reviews say the Passat still offers a very nice interior, especially for the price.

As with the Audi A4 Avant, the Volkswagen is available with two engines, either a 200-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or a 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6. Tests say you can expect about 20 mpg in mixed driving from the base engine. Safety features include six standard airbags, ABS, electronic stability control and a tire-pressure monitoring system. In addition, the Passat wagon also receives good crash-tests scores. Handling and ride quality are good in reviews, and interior fit and finish is also a highlight.

Best budget station wagons

If you want a budget station wagon, there are a couple of considerations that are true station wagons, but be aware that several hatchbacks are also compact wagons, including some of the latest popular subcompact hatchbacks like the Honda Fit (*est. $13,850 to $15,170) and Nissan Versa (*est. $12,550 to $15,550) , both of which are covered in our report on economy cars . If you're considering a compact wagon, you may also want to check out that report.

If price is a main consideration, we found good reviews for the Toyota Matrix (*est. $15,410 to $17,720) . The Matrix is more of a true station wagon since it's longer and has more cargo space than subcompact hatchback wagons, including the Honda Fit. The Matrix has an overall length of 171 inches, while the Fit is about 18 inches shorter. Cargo volume for the Matrix is 53 cubic feet, compared to just 41 cubic feet for the Fit. That puts the Matrix within striking range of station wagons like the Audi A4 Avant, which has 60 cubic feet of cargo room.

Fuel economy is the big highlight for the Matrix. With its only engine -- a 126-hp, 1.8-liter I-4 -- reviews say you can expect about 27 mpg in mixed driving. Overall reliability has been historically excellent. Reviews say ride quality and handling are both good for the price. Acceleration and pickup aren't particular highlights, due to the small base engine. But reviews do say the rear seat is pretty comfortable. Unfortunately, pretty much all safety features aside from front airbags are extra-cost options. Sister vehicle to the Toyota Matrix is the Pontiac Vibe (*est. $16,700 to $16,900) . Interestingly, the Vibe is also noted as being one of the most environmentally friendly cars at GreenerCars.com, in an article that focuses on fuel economy and emissions.

Although it has a slightly higher base price, another good budget wagon is the Ford Focus ZXW (*est. $16,790 to $17,550) . The wagon version of the well-regarded Ford Focus is larger than the Toyota Matrix. While it's only about seven inches longer overall, it has much more interior cargo space: 73 cubic feet. Reviews say the Focus is roomy, even in the rear seat. Overall, the Ford Focus has received great scores for handling, and many critics say it's also fun to drive.

There are two engine options for the Ford Focus ZXW wagon: 136-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 and 151-hp 2.3-liter I-4, both of which have more oomph than the single engine option on the Toyota Matrix. Tests say you can expect about 28 mpg in mixed driving from the base engine. As a wagon, the Ford Focus tends to be overlooked a bit, since the sedan version is generally tested more often (see our report on economy cars ). Another plus is its above average reliability. We've included the Ford Focus wagon in our ConsumerSearch Fast Answers over the Toyota Matrix wagon. For not much more money, the Focus has a lot more room and a beefier engine. Front airbags are standard, but other safety features are optional.

Last year, the Scion xB (*est. $14,400 to $15,500) was included in our report as a top budget wagon. The xB is still an excellent choice, in part due to the fact that no 2007 version was released -- it's exactly the same car from 2006. That's because a major redesign is coming in April 2007, when the '08 model is released. High points are the xB's unique styling, fuel efficiency, space and gigantic windshield. We'll cover this model later in the year, when the 2008 xB becomes available.

Premium station wagons

A step-up vehicle to the Audi A4, the Audi A6 Avant wagon (*est. $48,000) , is a runner-up in Kiplinger's annual buyers guide. Like the Audi A4, it gets top safety scores along with good reliability ratings. This high-performance luxury wagon has a 255-hp, 3.2-liter V6 engine. Handling is noted as agile and responsive in reviews. Suspension is firm, as fitting a high-performance car, but still comfortable. The seats are particularly comfortable, say reviews. A few complaints include complexity of the Multi-Media Interface, which is used to control navigation and audio commands. The CD player is in the glove compartment, another odd feature.

The BMW 3-series (*est. $34,200 to $36,100) is also available in a wagon. In general, the 3-series gets excellent ratings in reviews, though we did not see as many comments for the wagon versions. The series includes the BMW 328i and 328xi with all-wheel-drive (*est. $36,100) . As with all 3-series cars, handling and drive-feel are highlights. But in the wagons, cargo volume is on the low side (60 cubic feet), about the same for the generally better reviewed Audi A4 Avant wagon. Engines include a 230-hp V6 and a turbocharged 300-hp V6. Unlike most station wagons, these models come standard with a split-folding rear seat; that feature is an extra-cost option.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class includes two wagons, the E350 with standard AWD (*est. $55,700) and the E63 (*est. $85,300) with a V8 Hemi engine. Edmunds.com makes these wagons two of their top picks among station wagons. Ride and handling are excellent, with a luxurious, spacious interior. Cargo volume for both is close to 70 cubic feet -- nearly matching that of the Dodge Magnum (73 cubic feet). Past reliability has been an issue, but the E-series has a redesign for 2007, so reliability of the current E-Series isn't yet known.

Reviewed favorably by Kiplinger's Personal Finance -- and with top safety scores from the IIHS -- is the Saab 9-3 SportCombi wagon (*est. $27,170 to $33,375) . Fuel efficiency for the 9-3 is average, and there are two engine options, a 210-hp turbocharged I4 or a 250-hp turbocharged V6. According to InsideLine, "The front-wheel-drive Saab 9-3 SportCombi packs performance, practicality and a load of safety gear in an attractive package." The Saab 9-3 is Saab's best-selling car, although we didn't see it included in that many comparative reviews. Reliability has historically been low.

We found a couple of good reviews for the entry-level luxury wagon from Volvo, the V70 (*est. $30,045 to $40,940) . The V70 was chosen as one of the best wagons of the year by KBB.com, which refers to the vehicle as "one of the boldest out there," due to the Volvo's aggressive styling. Reliability has been well above average. The V70 and the XC70 with all-wheel-drive are both set for a 2008 redesign. Handling is criticized in some reviews as being less than precise.

Other mainstream wagons

In general, the Chevrolet HHR crossover (*est. $15,960 to $16,960) hasn't quite made the splash it was expected to make. Introduced for the 2006 model year with a look based on the 1949 Chevy Suburban, the HHR was referred to by Autoweb.com as "largely an updated PT Cruiser with less available power." Other reviewers like the retro look, but they say that interior space -- especially for the driver -- is a little cramped, and control placement can be awkward. Some other reviewers like the Chevy HRR wagon, though power is not its strong suit -- this is definitely a city car. Visibility has been an issue due to its small back window. Interior fit/finish is what you'd expect for the low price, say reviews. Front airbags are standard, but all other safety features are options.

The Chrysler Pacifica wagon (*est. $24,460 to $35,825) is a standard-looking wagon, but it's unusual in that all models have either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, which can make for better winter traction. Traction control and anti-skid control are standard, as are ABS, front airbags and side airbags for both rows. A third-row, split-folding bench seat is optional on this crossover car. We didn't find many reviews for the Pacifica, but it may be an option if you're stuck between choosing an SUV or a station wagon.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser (*est. $14,765 to $23,975) originated the retro-wagon style. While the exterior styling of the PT Cruiser is still a major drawing point, the general consensus seems to be that it's time for a revision. Acceleration is criticized, but the PT Cruiser is roomy. The rear seat can be removed to increase cargo space, and it's available in a convertible version.

Another crossover wagon is the Ford Freestyle (*est. $25,920 to $31,055) , which combines the ruggedness of an SUV and the small, fuel efficient nature of a wagon or sedan. There's seating for seven, along with all-wheel-drive. Because of its larger size, fuel economy is below average for a wagon. Handling is said to be good, with a roomy third-row seat and comfortable ride.

The first of two station wagons from Kia, the Rio5 (*est. $13,500 to $14,000) has a lot going against it initially. The vehicle has had a series of problems in its prior incarnations, and it's a lot smaller than the competition. The ride quality of this vehicle is what one would expect from an economy car, but it offers enough power for those mainly after a family commuter car. In addition, it offers more room than a sedan for less money. The Rio5 is one of the recommended wagons at Edmunds.com. Consumer Guide classifies the Rio5 as a compact hatchback, and with just under 50 cubic feet of cargo space, it's more in line with the Honda Fit than other budget wagons like the Ford Focus ZXW.

As you might guess, the Kia Spectra5 (*est. $15,995 to $16,250) is the wagon version of the Kia Spectra. This wagon is a bit larger than the Rio5, with just over 50 cubic feet of cargo space. The Spectra5 seems to be more well-received by the critics, especially for its nice interior and ride quality. One quality the vehicles share with each other is excellent fuel efficiency. The Spectra5 is a little noisy, and even though side airbags are standard, the Spectra still receives a rating of "poor" in side-impact crash tests conducted by the IIHS.

The Mazda3 (*est. $17,580 to $23,995) is a hatchback -- covered in our report on economy cars , along with other small hatchbacks. The larger Mazda5 (*est. $17,635 to $21,300) is more of a true wagon, with a bit more cargo space (about 44 cubic feet). Both vehicles have a lot of the same equipment underneath, which leads to the fact that both get similar reviews with regard to driving experience. Unfortunately, the Mazda5 has only one engine option, and some reviews say the 157-hp I-4 is underpowered.

The Subaru Impreza ($17,995 to $26,995) is also available as a wagon. The Impreza gets excellent reviews, but most reviewers agree the Impreza isn't for everyone. The base-model Impreza gets very little attention. Most reviews focus on the turbocharged 230-hp Subaru Impreza WRX and 300-hp WRX STi. Experts say it’s like a sports-car engine was dropped into a compact wagon. As a result, the turbocharged Impreza models are best enjoyed by enthusiasts who wouldn't dream of driving an automatic transmission. Reviews say the performance of the turbo models is thrilling, but a cramped rear seat and harsh ride put it out of contention as a family car. At about 60 cubic feet, cargo volume is pretty good.

Important Features: Station wagons

Reviews say the following about 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, flip-up glass 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 a harsh winter, but keep in mind that all-wheel-drive will decrease your gas mileage. Wagons like the Subaru Legacy 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, ABS and traction control.

• 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 an SUV or crossover if you need more room for passengers. Crossovers look like an SUV, but they’re based on a sedan platform rather than a truck platform. They usually have a third row of seats (or offer this as an option).

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Edmunds.com
5	Dodge Magnum (*est. $23,245 to $37,670)	details
5	Audi A4 Avant (*est. $31,340 to $38,640)	details
4	Audi A6 Avant (*est. $48,000)	details
4	Volkswagen Passat (*est. $24,370 to $33,320)	details
4	Subaru Legacy (*est. $21,495 to $30,895)	details
4	BMW 3-Series (*est. $34,200 to $36,100)	details
3	Subaru Outback (*est. $21,995 to $34,195)	details
3	Ford Focus ZXW (*est. $16,790 to $17,550)	details
3	Toyota Matrix (*est. $15,410 to $17,720)	details
2	Mercedes-Benz R-Class (*est. $43,000 to $87,400)	details
2	Saab 9-3 (*est. $27,170 to $33,375)	details
2	Honda Fit (*est. $13,850 to $15,170)	details
1 each	Mercedes-Benz E-Class , Audi A3 , Audi S4 , Volvo V70 , Pontiac Vibe , Chevrolet Malibu , Ford Freestyle , Subaru Impreza , BMW 5-Series , Chrysler Pacifica

Several station wagons are recommended in reviews. The Dodge Magnum is one of the largest station wagons, with the most powerful engine options. However, it has aggressive style lines that don’t have universal appeal, and fuel economy is low compared to other wagons. A more conservative choice is the Audi A4 Avant, a smaller, more luxurious station wagon with an excellent safety record. The Audi A6 Avant is a true luxury wagon. The Volkswagen Passat gets several picks in reviews, but below-average reliability ratings are an issue. An alternative is the Subaru Legacy or Outback. The Outback has sport styling and higher ground clearance for light off-roading. The Ford Focus ZXW and Toyota Matrix are both budget wagons, but the Ford has much more cargo space and is more fun to drive.

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