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Acura TSX wagon is pretty nice. Wish it was rwd or awd though.
What I find strange is that hatchbacks are becoming cool again but wagons are still uncool. The problem is that the hatchbacks are only available in compact cars. Midsize or larger cars are pretty much only sedans.
Isn't Dodge rumored to be bringing the Magnum back?
Isn't Dodge rumored to be bringing the Magnum back?
There have been rumors leaking out of Dodge for about a year now over the possible return of the Magnum and a matching SRT version. According to interviews with Dodge execs the decision to kill it was a very unpopular move made by a single executive that is no longer with the company.
Folks have already clearly stated the very correct position that wagons are simply unpopular in the US and have been for sometime. Part of it is the stigma associated with them, but the other more direct cause was the creation of CAFE standards that lumped wagons in with cars.
Manufacturers couldn't meet the standards in fullsized wagons with V8 power so they started developing vehicles that met the definition of a light truck, hence the birth of the SUV and minivan. Chrysler was one of the best at this and both the Magnum and non-convertible PT Cruiser were both classed as light trucks according to CAFE. The Magnum so as to not hurt their car compliance and the PT Cruiser to help offset the low mileage on all the Rams and Durangos they sold.
Now that the CAFE standards have changed to be based on wheelbase and GVW and not some cookie cutter "type", there is room for wagons again, but people don't seem to really want them outside of compact hatchbacks which are gaining a little in popularity. Unlike the rest of the world Americans have always preferred the look of sedans.
There have been rumors leaking out of Dodge for about a year now over the possible return of the Magnum and a matching SRT version. According to interviews with Dodge execs the decision to kill it was a very unpopular move made by a single executive that is no longer with the company.
Folks have already clearly stated the very correct position that wagons are simply unpopular in the US and have been for sometime. Part of it is the stigma associated with them, but the other more direct cause was the creation of CAFE standards that lumped wagons in with cars.
Manufacturers couldn't meet the standards in fullsized wagons with V8 power so they started developing vehicles that met the definition of a light truck, hence the birth of the SUV and minivan. Chrysler was one of the best at this and both the Magnum and non-convertible PT Cruiser were both classed as light trucks according to CAFE. The Magnum so as to not hurt their car compliance and the PT Cruiser to help offset the low mileage on all the Rams and Durangos they sold.
Now that the CAFE standards have changed to be based on wheelbase and GVW and not some cookie cutter "type", there is room for wagons again, but people don't seem to really want them outside of compact hatchbacks which are gaining a little in popularity. Unlike the rest of the world Americans have always preferred the look of sedans.
Most Americans don't care for the look of the wagon bodystyle but almost all automotive journalists I've ever read seem to love wagons more than anything else! Strikes me as odd...
I'm not a fan of the look but I guess if someone wanted to give me a CTS-V Wagon...well I wouldn't turn it down.
IMHO, wagons are still around. It's just that some manufacturers call them 'crossovers' now to keep away from whatever stigma that may still be associated to the term. But really, if you compare a Ford LTD Country Squire wagon to a Ford FLEX, my bet is that the dimensions and proportions would be amazingly similar. So, stretching the definition a bit, you come up with almost every manufacturer having some sort of wagon.
GM: Caddy CTS wagon or SRX
Ford: Flex
Dodge: Journey
Toyota: Venza
Honda: Crosstour (*shudder*)
Acura: TSX wagon
Subaru: Outback, Forester, Tribeca
Any European manufacturer: They all have wagons
I'm so sad ...there are no more quality wagons being made anymore. I really don't know what I am to do :0 Anyone else bemoaning the fall of the wagon?
Just think about it...
1. Volvo has pulled the V50...now they are selling soccer mom vanilla crossovers.
2. The Saab 9-3 SportCombi was my dream car, but Saab is now bankrupt, so that's not going to happen.
3. BMW and Mercedes Wagons are just overpriced.
4. I can't bring myself to ever buy a VW jetta sportwagon or Audi because of supposed quality issues, although it is an option.
5. Subaru has killed the outback by turning it into some abomination of a crossover.
6. The Dodge magnum sunk big time. What ever happened?
There are probably more examples, but I can't think of them
There are no more real wagons
I share your pain. The BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes wagons are well beyond reach, Ford didn't bring the Focus or Fiesta wagons to the USA (same with Chevrolet Cruze), but it's not all gloom. There's still the Hyundai Elantra wagon.
IMHO, wagons are still around. It's just that some manufacturers call them 'crossovers' now to keep away from whatever stigma that may still be associated to the term. But really, if you compare a Ford LTD Country Squire wagon to a Ford FLEX, my bet is that the dimensions and proportions would be amazingly similar. So, stretching the definition a bit, you come up with almost every manufacturer having some sort of wagon.
GM: Caddy CTS wagon or SRX
Ford: Flex
Dodge: Journey
Toyota: Venza
Honda: Crosstour (*shudder*)
Acura: TSX wagon
Subaru: Outback, Forester, Tribeca
Any European manufacturer: They all have wagons
Mike
Problem is, the cross-overs are very tall in design, and not really low and car-like, such as an old-fashioned wagon was (and these are still sold by all companies in Europe ). I would only consider the Cadillac, Acura, Subaru Outback, and BMW/Mercedes/VW/Audi from your list to be real wagons.
I too wish there were more wagons, not puny little hatchbacks, but genuine full size wagons based off full size sedans. I know there's a few but only the CTS wagon interests me.
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...there are no more quality wagons being made anymore. I really don't know what I am to do :0 Anyone else bemoaning the fall of the wagon?
