Popular in Europe, but not here... Why don't you drive a station wagon/estate car?

[LeeH]

There are plenty of wagon fans on this board, but in general, they do not sell in the U.S.A. Cadillac killed the CTS wagon. Mazda won't import the Mazda6 wagon. The sales won't support them.

What keeps wagons from selling here?

[SeanPizzle]

SUVs give our drivers in the US a false sense of security and we deem them to be safer.

There are so many wagons in europe I would buy. BMW 320D with a manual. Ford Mondeo (Fusion) wagon. Mazda 6 Wagon.

what we get are V60 volvo, audi allroad and E320. all over 50K.

[osidak]

I do... you would never catch me in minivan or a suv

in general it is the "mom mobile" factor. Not really sure why the minivan is acceptable though

[Jolly Amaranto]

In Texas, it is because of the pickup truck culture. If you don't drive a car, you drive a pickup.

[snbush67]

It's the mentality of bigger is better, so many sheep, so many large trucks and SUVs on the road it's intimidating to be in something small, and it's hard to see around them unless you're up high enough.

In Europe drivers know to stay right unless passing, it's the law. In the US people play traffic Tetris by blocking lanes, speeding up to prevent being passed or to close the gap. It works better if you have a large truck or suv. Whereas in Europe a wagon is practical and sufficient and easy to maneuver on roads with intelligent and courteous drivers.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by Jolly Amaranto

In Texas, it is because of the pickup truck culture. If you don't drive a car, you drive a pickup.

In Texas everyone has two pickups and somehow they can drive them both at the same time.

[wayner]

Dad mobile.

Once nobody would be caught dead in a wagon. Minivans replaced them for my generation.

Now nobody would be caught dead in a minivan. SUVs replaced them

Soon in another generation nobody would be caught dead in an SUV and they'll have to invent something else.

[Oh Haha]

We had a 5series BMW and loved it. A year or so ago I almost pulled the trigger on a CTS Wagon.

I drove a Mazda Protégé for a couple of years and had a ball with it. It wasn't fast but it was a hoot to drive.

We have a small SUV(primarily I drive) and a Honda Odyssey(wife's).

I would give them both up for sport wagons if I could talk my wife into it.

[MT930]

A regular CTS-V would be fine. I like the car handling and cargo capacity.

Hard to be a nice wagon.

[MT930]

Cadillac Wagons historically the last vehicle most people ride in.

I would still drive a CTS-V

[Ducman]

Originally Posted by wayner

Dad mobile.

Once nobody would be caught dead in a wagon. Minivans replaced them for my generation.

Now nobody would be caught dead in a minivan. SUVs replaced them

Soon in another generation nobody would be caught dead in an SUV and they'll have to invent something else.

I think this is really the case now - my sense is that new drivers (kids) prefer these smaller hatch back almost wagon things over a traditional suv. Kids never want what their parents drove.

My dd is and a has been a four door bmw M car for years. If they made a wagon version I'd get it. I wish audi brought their last rs wagons to US.

[aschen]

I had a protege 5 wagon before my current Subaru wrx wagon

Wagons ftw

The perfect form for a practical car

[porsche4life]

I would have loved a wagon for my current car. Wanted a bit more space than a 4 door, but not a full size SUV. I settled on the Ford Escape, which I love, but a wagon would still be the beans if I could get one.

[BE911SC]

Spent some time sitting in this sweet 335d in the BMW Welt in Munich this summer. I would happily own one of these and not give a s*it what anyone thought.

[JavaBrewer]

I have always hated the station wagon. Early version of a Minivan. There I said it.

Surfers love them cause they can keep everything locked up and safe. I don't surf so suck it station wagon owners

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've had several - Mazda Protege5, Suburu Legacy GT. Several more hatchbacks, which are basically just another name for a wagon. I would love to have an E63 or CTS-V wagon as a secondary family car. With three kids it's not big enough to be our only family car, that's minivan territory (which are also incredibly efficient). If we only had two kids, I think my wife would happily drive a European sport wagon. She's finally realized how pointless the full sized SUVs really are.

[aschen]

Mini vans are awsome too, cooler than SUVs/cuvs

Not trying to be cool is always cool

[aigel]

Wagons still have the family image from the 60s. As pointed out above the evolution of what's hip after that is Minivan - Large SUV - Crossover/Compact SUV. Maybe it will circle back to the wagon!?

I'd drive one but don't have a need. A hatchback is more up my alley. And I agree, the hatchback definitely is becoming more popular over a sedan.

In Europe the Jetta was non existant for many years. A small sedan a la Jetta, Corolla etc. is a grampsmobile over there. A wagon really is most popular in Europe as a traveling salesman vehicle, then as a family vehicle. And have you been to Europe recently? The compact SUVs are becoming very popular there now too ...

G

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aschen

Mini vans are awsome too, cooler than SUVs/cuvs

Not trying to be cool is always cool

I quit caring a long time ago. That's why I've had several Boxsters.

Minivan is the most efficient way to move people and their stuff, period. Our Mazda5 is getting replaced by a Honda Odyssey. 28 MPG, easy to park, hauls 8 adults and their stuff in comfort.

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I quit caring a long time ago. That's why I've had several Boxsters.

Minivan is the most efficient way to move people and their stuff, period. Our Mazda5 is getting replaced by a Honda Odyssey. 28 MPG, easy to park, hauls 8 adults and their stuff in comfort.

I say it all the time. There is great power in not giving a s*it what other people think.