Mike Clark of Hamilton is wondering why, if he were to wander into his local Ford store today, he wouldn't fine a true replacement for his 1999 Mercury Sable wagon.
"They would have literally nothing for me," he notes. "Neither the Five Hundred nor the Fusion comes in wagon form. A bloated Freestyle? Some egg-shaped crossover? The same story at GM, where the brain trust has sunk millions into incremental improvements on the mega trucks and SUVs, but haven't bothered to build an Impala wagon."
Clark has a point. For the most part, the traditional station wagon is a thing of the past. Yes, there are some exceptions. Subaru has been very happy to sell a strong range of Legacy and Impreza wagons — four-wheel-drive wagons with pretty good reliability. But the least-expensive Legacy wagon goes for a starting sticker of $29,495. Sure, it's well-equipped and able to tackle just about any snowstorm, but it surely is not cheap.
Over at Dodge, well, there is the Magnum, but the base rear-drive version (there is also a four-wheel-drive Magnum) starts at $28,925. On top of that, for every person who loves the stealth look of the Magnum, there's another, like Clark, who thinks it is, well, "hideous."
The closest thing to a real station wagon at Chevrolet is the Malibu Maxx, which is sort of a half-hearted effort to combine a mid-size sedan with a bit of extra spaciousness and a hatch at the rear. It really isn't a wagon at all.
The real rub for Clark is that there isn't an Impala wagon in sight and none is coming. In fact, the only one of GM's eight division offering a wagon in North America is Saab. No wagons are planned at the other divisions, either. That surely seems odd for the largest auto maker in the world.
But then No. 2 Toyota doesn't sell a proper station wagon, either. And Honda doesn't, Ford doesn't, Hyundai doesn't, Nissan doesn't, Suzuki doesn't and so on.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen has its Passat wagon, but it starts at $31,125. Volvo, too, has long been on the wagon train, but, again, the smallish V50 starts at $32,995 and the accommodating V70 has a base price of $39,495.
BMW's 3-Series wagon starts at $44,400 and the 530xi goes for $72,800. Oh, and the Jaguar X-Type Estate wagon: $47,995. All are all-wheel drive and nicely loaded, but the 3-Series and X-Type don't really offer heart-pumping excitement. The 5-Series wagon is pretty good, but an M5 version to challenge the E55 AMG wagon would be better.
So what's a guy to do? Dig a little deeper and consider surrendering to current trends. There are some excellent wagons for sale out there, though they are totally unlike Clark's '99 Sable.
Instead, the auto industry has embarked on a strategy of taking the "mom-mobile" out of station wagons. That is, the car business is now pushing so-called "Macho Wagons" like the Audi S4 Avant and the E55 AMG. Sure, Mercedes also sells a standard E-Class wagon, but it is pretty white bread compared to an E55 AMG wagon that is faster than a Porsche Boxster.
Of course, there is also a more mainstream version of this Macho Wagon approach. Mitsubishi, for instance, offers a small wagon in its Eclipse lineup, the Lancer Sportback. As the name implies, it's being marketed not as a station wagon at all, but rather a sporty hatchback with a very attractive $21,598 base price. Mazda does the same, selling a wagon version of its Mazda6 sedan called the Mazda6 Sport Wagon, starting at $26,995.
This latest take on wagons will certainly appeal to speed-crazy guys who somehow must reconcile their love of cars with the reality of kids, strollers and trips back and forth to the grocery store.
Better still, there are now fun wagons big enough to carry a ladder home from your local home supply big box outlet. The best of these new Macho Wagons have powerful engines, monstrous brakes, track-ready suspensions and racy seats.
Ralph Gilles, the Canadian-born designer of the Magnum, says his wagon is a blend of speed and sippy cups, though he doesn't put it quite that way.
One of his bosses, Chrysler Group chief operating officer Eric Ridenour and the man who oversaw the Magnum project when he was head of new vehicle development, initially called the Magnum not a wagon at all, but a Sports Tourer. "It's a new shape, a new face for muscle cars for the future," he said at the time of the Magnum's launch.
Or the past. Hot-rod wagons were popular back in the 1950s, for instance. Remember the 1956 Chevy Bel Air wagon? More than a few gearheads tricked out that particular wagon. In fact, a nice purple one, with big wheels and a blower, was up for sale this summer on eBay with a reserve bid of US $19,600.
Another real wagon gem from the mid-1950s: The Chevrolet Nomad wagon. It had a slick two-door body and a powerful V-8 engine. The muscle wagon went into something of a decline during the 1960s, though Detroit's auto makers still were known to stuff powerful engines into Ford Country Squires and Pontiac Safaris.
Once again the auto makers are finding a market for Macho Wagons, new and used. On the new side, auto makers will tell you that their own research has found family men who would go for a wagon — as long as it goes fast and looks cool. There is quite an array of wagons that do just that.
The Magnum is among them, in its SRT-8 version. With a 425-horsepower V-8, quick steering, tight suspension and brakes beefy enough to haul a big wagon down from some pretty fast speeds, the Magnum SRT-8 is a lot of car for $46,590. So is Volvo's V70 R ($62,495) which has 79 per cent more power than the base V70 wagon.
At Audi, the S4 Avant ($71,840) is a dressed-up A4 wagon with a 340-horsepower V-8 engine borrowed from the A8 sedan. And the supercharged E55 wagon ($121,515)? It has the same 469-horsepower engine that powers one of the fastest sedans Mercedes has ever built. Oh, and if you want an affordable something with a racy approach to European design, there is the 250-hp, turbocharged Saab 9-3 SportCombi ($43,895).
All of these accelerate fast, take corners well and stop on a dime. They are also quite good for running errands. They have cargo space at the rear, comfortable seating for at least four adults and some even come loaded up with power points for tailgate parties. Every single one represents a manly ride — the kind of car you can drive with pride to your pickup hockey game on Thursday night. No minivan-induced apologies necessary.
At the same time, each of our wagons here is most definitely not an SUV or a so-called crossover utility vehicle. To varying degrees, SUVs and CUVs fall down when it comes to handling and fuel economy. In the eyes of some, Clark included, their tall stance and boxy shape make for an ungainly design.
Not so for these Macho wagons here. They all have their good family side, the Dr. Jekyll part of the equation. At the same time, these wagons have a wild, flashy streak that we'll call their Mr. Hyde-like side. Pricing quoted are base figures for 2007 models, unless otherwise noted.
1. Audi S4 Avant
BASE PRICE: $71,840
ENGINE: 4.2-litre V-8, DOHC
HORSEPOWER: 340
What Mr. Hyde, man of action, will like: This wagon is blindingly fast: 0-100 km/h in about 5.5 seconds. A standard all-wheel-drive system is there to make sure all 340 horses hit the pavement.
What Dr. Jekyll, the family guy, will like: The Audi looks sharp but doesn't scream "Race car." For badging, it has two little red-and-grey S4 tags at either end and two V-8 patches glued to the fenders.
The story: The S4 does have a distinctive V-8 growl and it's a load of fun to pilot. Still, while subtle in its look over all, the 18-inch wheels literally pour out of the wheel wells. At the rear, quad tailpipes hint at what's under the hood. Audi has tried to be subtle, but the S4's sporting intent remains only partly disguised.
The S4's all-wheel-drive system not only aids performance, but also makes this wagon an all-weather family car. In everyday driving, the S4 feels almost normal, even. But if you want to have fun, the S4 is best in big, long sweepers. The overall ride quality is just right for long distances and small kids. Massive brakes do a fine job of hauling the S4 down from big speeds.
Finally, a few words about the cockpit. The Recaro seats are seriously snug and the driving position is excellent. The S4's cabin is loaded with high-quality materials, too. That said, in the back, the Audi lacks legroom and the seats are a little too snug for family use. Also, the narrow and shallow cargo area is not ideal for family chores.
2. Dodge Magnum SRT8
BASE PRICE: $46,590
ENGINE: 6.1-litre Hemi V-8
HORSEPOWER: 425
For Mr. Hyde: The lads at Dodge's Street and Racing Technology skunk works have managed to slide a specially prepped Hemi V-8 under the hood of the already-brutish Magnum R/T. Dodge claims the SRT-8 hits 100 km/h in the low-fives.
Also, you gotta love that flared-nostril grille. Oh, and it even has stainless steel headers, which explain the wonderful snorting and snarling the V-8 makes when pushed. (And if you don't know what a header is, you probably don't care about this Magnum.)
For Dr. Jekyll: It's a big touring wagon with refined, solid, comfortable road manners. Kids are not likely to get queasy in the back seat, even with all that horsepower. Oh, and that back seat has room for three child seats, though the low ceiling in the cargo bay limits the size of your load.
The story: If your family-guy side shows some restraint, the Magnum SRT-8 is quite livable in town. Sure, the massive 20-inch wheels and lowered ride height make it somewhat harsher than the regular Magnum R/T, but not too much.
Make no mistake, this car is fast and it stops on a dime thanks to the powerful Brembo brakes. The steering is precise, though a bit numb. A standard antiskid system keeps the back end from kicking out when you goose the throttle too hard and the 255/45 ZR20-inch Goodyear Eagle F1s grip nicely.
The cabin has snug sport seats with red stitching, suede inserts and an SRT-8 logo emblazoned on the headrest. The pedal cluster is power-adjustable. There is a powerful 11-speaker Kicker sound system, too.
At the very rear, cargo area is limited by the sloping roof, but it will hold 773 litres of stuff. The 60/40-split rear seats, when both are split and folded, boosts the load area to 2,027 litres. There is also a carpeted compartment under a clever folding false floor, a 12-volt outlet and a retractable cargo cover.
The Magnum SRT-8, of course, shares its basic bits and pieces with Chrysler's 300 sedan, which in turn borrows parts from cars built by Mercedes-Benz. This wagon is arguably the most macho of the group, at least the group for less than $100,000.
3. Saab 9-3 SportCombi Aero
BASE PRICE: $43,895
ENGINE: 2.5-litre V-6, turbocharged
HORSEPOWER: 250
For Mr. Hyde: The turbocharged V-6 is the least powerful engine here, but it's enough to give the SportCombi spirited getaways. The six-speed manual is a pleasure to use, while the car's steering is accurate, if a little light. The brakes are strong. In short, the ride and handling compromise is pretty darn good here. That is, the car carves up corners with a flat demeanour, yet on rough pavement the ride is quite smooth.
For Dr. Jekyll: The rear hatch is huge and it opens wide for access to a generous cargo area. There's also a ski pass-through and a folding front seat to accommodate long items. The rear seats fold flat with a couple of simple motions, and you don't need to remove the rear headrests beforehand. You can secure your stuff with cargo tie-downs. And let's not forget that the 9-3 offers a full complement of the expected active-safety driver aids, including antilock braking, traction control and anti-spin control.
The story: The SportCombi is the least-powerful car here, but also the lightest — some 450 kg less than the Magnum SRT8. Naturally, that means the SportCombi, from the Saab division of General Motors, feels nimble compared to the bigger wagons in this group.
The styling also works very well. Saab's designers definitely got the stance right. The rounded-edge, bubble-back body is all Saab, as are the big windows, flared fenders and large taillights. That said, the low rear window and frame might cramp your loading style. That is, big boxes won't fit perfectly back there.
The cabin is airy thanks to its high roof. Up front, there is a night panel display and a centrally-mounted ignition switch that won't injure your knees in a crash. All the controls are easy to use.
Over all, the quality of materials is pretty good, though some of the plastics on the dash and door panels feel a bit bargain-ish. On the other hand, the solid metal door handles feel rich, as does the leather covering the steering wheel, shifter, and seats — superb seats, really, ones perfect for long road trips.
For true muscle car lovers, this Saab probably won't have enough power. For others, it will be just right and at the right price, too.
4. Volvo V70 R
BASE PRICE: $62,495
ENGINE: 2.5-litre inline-five, DOHC, turbocharged
HORSEPOWER: 300
For Mr. Hyde: The V70 R is the fastest Volvo wagon in history, with a 0-100 km/h time in the 5.5-second range. So it's a hot Volvo. A sleek-looking one, too, thanks to flared bodywork around the car's bottom edge.
For Dr. Jekyll: The big cargo area is completely practical, and the seats all around are a perfect compromise, landing somewhere between sporty and comfy. Safety? This is Volvo, right? So the car has airbags up front and at the side, as well as inflatable side-curtain airbags and the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS).
The story: The V70 R offers lots of utility, yet it's loaded with go-fast parts — including a 2.5-litre, all-aluminum five-cylinder engine rated at 300-horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The compact, transversely mounted power plant gets its extra oomph from a high-pressure, large-volume turbocharger complete with twin intercoolers.
The engine is mated to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission. A five-speed automatic with "Geartronic" clutch-less manual shifting is a $1,500 option. Volvo says the V70 R can reach 100 km/h in about six seconds. That's believable.
When you're on the road, there is standard all-wheel-drive, anti-skid, antilock brakes and traction control. The V70 R is equipped with a computer-controlled chassis, which when in Sport mode firms up nicely. In corners, the car grips fairly ferociously and body roll is nicely controlled. The torquey turbo engine suits the Volvo's chassis well.
The cabin also has stainless steel door pulls and dash trim, rather than metal-look plastic. There are a lot of controls, gauges and switchgear and the whole arrangement is a little overwhelming. At least steering-wheel-mounted controls allow the driver to adjust the audio system's major functions with hands on the wheel. The blue-coloured, metal faces for the gauges are great. So are the various storage cubbies and bins in the cabin.
There is a lot to like about this Volvo, though ride quality is not on the list. Even in Comfort mode, the car pounds into potholes and thumps its way along the highway. It's noisy and not perfectly comfortable for the passengers.
5. Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
BASE PRICE: $121,515
ENGINE: 5.4-litre V-8, SOHC, supercharged
HORSEPOWER: 469
For Mr. Hyde: Wow, that is a lot of power. For bragging rights, macho dad can tell the boys that his wagon is powered by a hand-built supercharged V-8 — the same V-8 AMG slips into the CL55 AMG, the CLS55 AMG, the E55 AMG sedan, the S55 AMG and the SL55 AMG. Track time: 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. Conversation closed.
For Dr. Jekyll: Imagine, room for seven thanks to a rear-facing jump seat at the back.
The story: Each engine is assembled one at a time by one technician at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany. You'll find the name of your technician on the signature plate affixed to the engine upon. That person is responsible for the entire assembly from start to finish, including the installation of the screw-type supercharger. How cool is that?
The power goes to the rear wheels (4Matic all-wheel drive is not available) through a five-speed automatic transmission Benz calls Speedshift. It allows you to manually change gears or let the car do its own work. All that horsepower is backed up by equally impressive braking performance from dinner-plate-sized, vented brake rotors.
Mercedes-Benz equips the wagon with its Airmatic computer-controlled air suspension, traction control and stability control. This wagon is not a sports car, but it does have more than respectable grip and is quite responsive. Tossable? No, but it will hold a line very nicely. In everyday mode, the ride is silky.
There are wagons and then there are wagons. The E55 takes wagoneering to a whole new level. Sure, it's also the most expensive of the group, but if money is no object, this is the one.
