Will wagons ever be cool again in america?
07-28-17, 10:10 AM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
07-28-17, 10:23 AM
#32
When you're out in six inches of snow you won't ask that anymore. Especially when it's wet heavy snow. It doesn't matter much in that lite fluffy stuff. I mean you are from Alberta.
Last edited by Coleroad; 07-28-17 at 10:27 AM.
07-28-17, 11:51 AM
#33
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
07-28-17, 12:18 PM
#34
Goodness... That Jag and the Panamera wagon all look like sex on wheels. Seriously, those are beautiful, sleek yet very practical cars. The Cayenne and F-Pace look like porky dumplings in comparison.
There's only one SUV that I'd consider over all these wagons: the Alfa Stelvio. I saw a fleet of 'em roaring up a mountain road, probably on a test drive event, and they looked sensational.
There's only one SUV that I'd consider over all these wagons: the Alfa Stelvio. I saw a fleet of 'em roaring up a mountain road, probably on a test drive event, and they looked sensational.
The Jaguar looks amazing - it's just a shame that the XF doesn't offer more engine options, especially since it is a smaller, lighter platform than the E-Class and so a performance variant would have certain advantages over the AMG.
As far as wagons generally - I'm surprised no has mentioned the big elephant in the room, which is CAFE standards and gas guzzler tax. As we know, many CUVs/SUVs/crossovers on truck/light truck platforms have the exact same footprint and cargo area as station wagons classified as passenger cars, but the light/trucks are exempt from gas guzzler tax - implicitly making the respective station wagons less competitive. It won't account for all the "cool" factor, but if American companies aren't developing and marketing station wagons and foreign companies aren't marketing station wagons and bringing them to the US, there's necessarily going to be drop in interest from consumers.
As far as wagons generally - I'm surprised no has mentioned the big elephant in the room, which is CAFE standards and gas guzzler tax. As we know, many CUVs/SUVs/crossovers on truck/light truck platforms have the exact same footprint and cargo area as station wagons classified as passenger cars, but the light/trucks are exempt from gas guzzler tax - implicitly making the respective station wagons less competitive. It won't account for all the "cool" factor, but if American companies aren't developing and marketing station wagons and foreign companies aren't marketing station wagons and bringing them to the US, there's necessarily going to be drop in interest from consumers.
where's that mighty 5.0L supercharged V8??
07-28-17, 12:33 PM
#35
Super Moderator
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07-28-17, 08:16 PM
#36
Lexus Test Driver
The Panamera wagon looks good and all, but barely has more trunk space than the standard Panamera (49 ft3 vs 46 ft3) - 3 cubic feet and who knows with rounding, it's practically negligible. Even the relatively small XF Sportbrake has 60 ft3. Meanwhile, mags report the USA-spec E400 wagon (which has 3rd row seats standard) has 64.3 ft3, so presumably even more without the 3rd row seats (which will not be on the E63S).
Exactly the first thing I thought. But that engine is not available on any XF, so maybe a packaging issue.
Exactly the first thing I thought. But that engine is not available on any XF, so maybe a packaging issue.
07-29-17, 02:13 AM
#38
Lexus Test Driver
The Levante looks like a first-gen Cayenne with a Maserati grille tacked on. In my eyes it's an ugly bloated lump, an RX looks so much sharper and more coherent. As for the Urus, that's in G63 territory already - as in no one cares how it looks, it's more for showing off how much dough you've got.
07-29-17, 06:07 AM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
I loved when BMW was asked why the 2nd gen X1 was FWD based. They said the majority of X1 owners didn't even know the original was RWD based anyway. imho proof that even BMW and MB are going mainstream with 4 cyl/FWD as the platform for the new and diminutive models.
07-30-17, 06:57 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
07-30-17, 08:01 PM
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Now that's what I call a real inspection LOL. 
Of course, with the huge gray/black plastic engine covers so many manufacturers insist on using nowadays, even LOOKING at the engine doesn't always give you a clue what's underneath.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-30-17 at 08:08 PM.
07-30-17, 08:01 PM
#43
Lexus Champion
Well, you've hit on one of the more difficult things in the auto industry to determine....just exactly where to draw the line between an SUV, crossover, and wagon. As I see it, though (and a number of product analysts do as well, including Consumer Reports), the Forester and Outback are somewhat closer to their basic sedan-platform underpinnings (Impreza and Legacy) than the Toyota and Honda SUVs/CUVs are to their Corolla/Camry and Civic/Accord underpinnings.
Going by this definition, I would argue that the Outback is a station wagon while the tall Forester is a CUV.
Yet, now we have the BMW X1 (both 1st and current-generation models), and the Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti QX30, all of which are not much taller than their equivalent hatchback and wagon models. They have successfully distilled the essence of the crossover styling and transplanted it to cars, making what would otherwise be normal cars look like crossovers. I believe the crossover styling cues are the presence of some black under-body cladding, and the "correct" proportions of the wheel and tire size, and glass greenhouse height, and overall cabin height.
I believe that crossovers will become more and more car-like because emissions regulations (especially the emission of CO2, which is directly-proportional to fuel consumption) are become ever stricter. The tall rolling brick that is the crossover will have to become lower and sleeker, and lighter (because crossovers are sold as light trucks in the USA and Canada, they do not have to meet the stricter car fuel economy regulations). The crossover will have to become a hatchback or wagon car with crossover styling cues.
If the presence of these styling cues are all it takes to turn a slow-selling wagon or hatchback into a more-in-demand crossover, I would say, bring on more Toyota and Lexus wagons/crossovers.
07-31-17, 08:07 AM
#45
Totally miss the Magnum! The hatch opening was pretty trick looking as well with it's forward mounted hinge. Would definitely consider picking up a newer version!