By Jeff Glucker
We often cry out about the lack of proper wagon offerings here in the States. The truth is, however, that there are a number of them out there. Volkswagen has its Golf Alltrack. Volvo has the V60 and V90. Spend more bucks and you can find Audi and Mercedes-Benz offerings as well. Yes, we’d love to see more longroofs land over here, but the ones that are here are pretty damn good.
https://hooniverse.com/2018/08/21/the-volvo-v90-your-luxury-longroof-is-here/
So of the current crop of new wagon offerings, which one would get your money were you shopping in that segment?
The current crop is small, but all fairly nice to look at. The non-Cross Country V90’s are really sharp, as are the M-B E-class wagons if you have a depreciation fetish.
Does this count?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/39d000d606dfe8038ff3dc86b85e76a512972ff22bd89b6063730b66c43d42a2.png
I think I’d go for the Golf Sportwagen. It looks pretty good and is the right size. The only real pisser is that if you want any goodies above the base model, you have to take the automatic.
https://media-cf.assets-cdk.com/websites/content/vw-marietta/aboutMessageCard/91ef3840-1c12-4d5b-9fa5-b2ac953eef46.jpg
For what it’s worth (I’m sure it’s too much hassle), in Canada, we also get the option of manual on the Comfortline (the midspec model equivalent to the SE), which comes out to about $21,200 USD with the stick and driver assistance package (auto cruise and such). No manual on the top spec of the regular wagon, but you can also get a loaded Alltrack with stick for about $28k USD. It should all be importable enough if you really wanted it.
Apparently it has been 5 years since they’ve sold a manual Golf wagon in Australia, doubtless because they hardly sold any (3 used ones currently for sale). They are disappearing in a big way here.
I don’t mind the Alltrack for the ride height, but it is expensive here, $5k more than a base Golf wagon. One top-spec version only.
Unobtainium, but I really want one:
BMW 5 Series wagon
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-bmw-5-series-wagon-euro-spec-first-drive-review
“Proper wagon offerings” means woodgrain sides. Someone makes those now?
Proper woodgrain sides – Radio Flyer all-terrain
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81fpm9f6ApL._SL250_.jpg
Calling mdharrell…
We’re lucky enough to get the W205 C-class wagon in Canada – right now, they’re asking mid-40s for CPO ’18s through corporate-owned Benz dealers, so they might get downright attainable as a 3-year old lease return, and I will be keeping an eye out for that, Of course, the sensible option is the Golf wagon, which I also dig.
https://postmediadriving.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/dsc_0428.jpg?
quality=80&strip=all&w=800&h=520&crop=1
As posited in the other post, FCA needs to dust off some old stampings.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6462e44c6c16cc522d110d3b566d9519f0540aaba5ff1be1df9ce304df3bd5f8.jpg
DC already told the feds that it’s an SUV, not a wagon. But I like your thinking.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/25125.shtml
Presumably the size class is self-nominated, but it does show that the system is a bit broken…
Not exactly self-nominated. It’s more of an instance of keeping the rulebook nearby while designing the car, in order to exploit the loopholes to put either the car or the fleet into favorable treatment.
For example, if you look at the site linked above, I selected the SRT model, which is rated 13 MPG city, 18 highway, and 15 combined. Because it is considered an SUV, it is not labeled as a gas guzzler. Now look up the same year’s SRT Charger. Same driveline, same platform, same MPG. That’s a car, so buyers got hit with the gas guzzler tax.
Similarly, PT Cruiser was designed as SUV, except when the convertible model came out, it didn’t fit the SUV rules.
Brilliant move for Chrysler to get away from the gas guzzler tax, but what possible rules could make the Magnum an SUV?!? (rhetorical question) As I said, system a bit broken.
During the period where 4×4’s had lower import duty there were a set of criteria they had to meet, mainly clearance angles etc but including AWD – so at the time there weren’t any 2wd versions of CUV’s. Well there were locally built ones, Ford Territory & Holden Adventra V6.
Magnum had something to do with cargo area and being able to easily remove (can include utilizing hand tools) rear seating rows to create a flat, level floor in back. Ratio of cargo volume to passenger volume, too. There were other alternative tests that involved off-road ability and clearance stuff. I remember some manufacturer made a wagon that didn’t count as a SUV because the seat didn’t fold flat enough–the manufacturer didn’t care as much because it wasn’t a guzzler.
PT Cruiser was built as a truck (PT stood for Plymouth Truck when that was an active brand) to help skew CAFE numbers in the truck fleet.
I live alone and don’t travel much, so a wagon has no appeal to me. But I went to Target store last weekend (remind me not to go again at Christmas time) and parked near a Golf All Track in Tornado Red (I looked it up) and it had obviously just come out of a car wash. That was really a nice looking wagon, with the panoramic sunroof etc. Still don’t want one but was glad to see it in a color that isn’t grey metallic
All the current offerings are nicer than my Acura but not so much nicer I would want to spend the money on them. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/81acec4718dd27f90253530e3b479918546573c188a01d7d66b41305328d76dd.jpg
In order of desire, and in inverse order of affordability:
Panamera Sport Turismo
V90
V60
Regal TourX
There’s nothing out there for me right now. I like the V60 and V90 (exterior and interior styling are excellent), but they’re not available with manual transmissions. The Mercedes is RWD, which is great, but it’s also auto-only, and the styling is a bit soft. The VW Golf has a manual option, but only (apparently) in base trim with FWD, which is a no-go in my book.
Here in the US, you can buy the Golf Sportwagen S 4Motion (AWD) with a manual transmission. I believe all 2019 Alltrack trim levels are available with s manual option.
No kidding? Well, that settles it for me, then. I’d prefer a RWD manual, but I really like the look of the Sportwagen.
I wish the Outback were still available with a manual, but honestly it now looks more like a CUV than a wagon anyway.
If I had the money and desire to buy a new car, I’d give serious consideration to a Jaguar XF Sportbrake.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9b1096b37b7a4b5c8c61cc69ab99a6c09a8578e0a32649546e98c477aebb3d0d.jpg
I am smitten with the Audi AllRoad and the VW AllTrack
There is the sensible option (with the 2.2L turbo diesel)… which I’d quite happily live with. And then there is the log roof GT… [dribble…]https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1ac5253f2862559d26b7cd7f7282b74df1ed9bd991a90062f52a48af80588750.png
The Ford Flex, because it’s the only one with a flat rear door. The rest look nice, but even the volvo’s now have a serious angle to the rear window.
caltemus yes