May 30, 2006 - The term "sport wagons" sounds a bit dichotomic, doesn't it? The original wood-bodied station wagons used during the early 20th century for shuttling folks and their luggage back and forth from the train station eventually evolved into the road-tripping Country Squire and Vista Cruiser land yachts that became nearly extinct with the popularity of minivans and SUVs over the past two decades. Although not necessarily true competitors among themselves, these three new-for-2006 wagons are anything but nautical in their driving characteristics:
THIRD PLACE: Volkswagen Passat Wagon 3.6 4MOTION
Like its sedan sibling, the new Passat Wagon is yet another example of VW climbing the automotive social ladder. Where the last Passat had a relatively wimpy V6, the new 280-horsepower, 3.6-litre VR6 engine is the largest and most powerful of this hauling trio, and it does a nice job replacing the former topline Passat W8. Despite no available stick with the 3.6, the VW is the quickest in a straight line. When the road does start to turn, the VW is extremely competent, especially in bad conditions with its standard 4Motion all-wheel drive -- that is, until you push its limits.Despite the optional sport suspension included in the tester's Sport Leather Package, the Passat rolls too much in the corners with anesthetized steering further removing any confidence to explore further.Note, at 1,793 kilograms, the Volkswagen is the heaviest of the trio. With nearly 60% of that weight up front, understeer is its predominant posture. DRIVER'S CHOICE United Gray exterior, Sport Leather Package $3,495[FONT=helvetica,arial,sans-serif] TRUE COMPETITOR[/FONT] Audi A6 3.2 Avant, $66,010 BOTTOM LINE As a viable alternative to other German, mid-sized luxury wagons, mission accomplished. As tested, this is a fast (in a straight line, anyway), stylish, cossetting, feature-laden and beautifully made hauler. It's just not that much fun to drive.Perhaps the base, front-drive, four-cylinder Passat 2.0 T with its six-speed stick and loaded-for-under-$40,000 sticker price is a better approach to a sporty Passat wagon.
SECOND PLACE: Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi First a sedan, then a convertible, finally a 9-3 for all those Saab hatchback faithful. The Aero badge means that a new 250-hp, 2.8L turbocharged V6 with 40 more horses than the base model's four powers the front wheels. Aurally, the exhaust rumbles and rasps in a sporty way. Power delivery is smooth and linear, eradicating the term "turbo lag" from the usual Saab lexicon. A six-speed manual is standard, but a no-charge manumatic with the same numbers of gears was found in the tester. Upshifts are smooth, but downshifts are clunky. The lightest of this wagon trio also has 35 more horses than the BMW -- it's surprising, then, that the Saab is the slowest in acceleration. The SportCombi's suspension isn't as stiff as the 9-3 sedan's, but it jumps into corners obediently with a lot of grip despite the front wheels doing double duty. Sized between a compact and a mid-sized, the 9-3 is very nimble and easy to position on the road. The biggest letdown is at the helm where chewed bubble gum seems to have replaced any of the stiffer bits in the Saab's steering linkage. DRIVER'S CHOICE Steel Grey metallic $650, six-speed manual [FONT=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]TRUE COMPETITOR [/FONT]Volvo V50 T5/ Sport Package, $46,510. BOTTOM LINE If this was a beauty contest, the SportCombi would win. Regardless of the generous power, athletic handling and comfortable cabin, the limp-wristed steering prevents the Saab from taking home first place.
FIRST PLACE: BMW 325xi Touring Like the new-for-2006 3 Series sedans, BMW makes either a six-speed Steptronic or six-speed manual transmission for the Touring wagon, but the xDrive all-wheel-drive system is standard. The wagon's double-pivot front struts and five-link rear suspension are carried over from the 325xi sedan, delivering the best combination of ride versus handling of these three wagons. The smooth and refined 215-hp, 3.0L straight-six, with BMW's Valvetronic variable-lift valvetrain and Double VANOS variable valve timing, means that despite having the smallest power ratings among the three wagons, the Bimmer is quicker to 100 kilometres an hour than the more powerful Saab. Popping for the Sport Package replaces the all-season run-flats with 17-inch summer performance rubber and adds a three-spoke leather steering wheel and multi-adjustable sport seats to the interior. The end result is a wagon with an engine, suspension and driver all singing from the same page. If you don't look back into the rear-view mirror while driving, you would never know it's a wagon. And, for once, the BMW isn't the most expensive ride here. DRIVER'S CHOICE Sparkling Graphite metallic $800, Sport Package $2,000 True competitor Audi A4 3.2 Avant $49,335 BOTTOM LINE This may be an AWD family hauler, but it drives equally as well as a 325xi sedan.
- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com
THIRD PLACE: Volkswagen Passat Wagon 3.6 4MOTION
ENGINE 3.6L DOHC V6
POWER 280 hp @ 6,200 rpm; 265 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h 6.2 seconds
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 km 12.8 city, 8.0 hwy.
BASE PRICE $47,015
SECOND PLACE: Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi
ENGINE TURBO 2.8L DOHC V6
POWER 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 258 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h 8.3 seconds (auto)
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 km 14.4 city, 8.2 hwy.
BASE PRICE $44,900
FIRST PLACE: BMW 325xi Touring
ENGINE 3.0L DOHC in-line six
POWER 215 hp @ 6,250 rpm; 185 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h 7.7 seconds
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 km 12.1 city, 7.9 hwy
BASE PRICE $44,400
source:http://straight-six.com/neue/ftlod/3FTR_sportswagons.php
