Best SUV alternative: which wagon

[wuufer001]

E63 definitely will be first choice if money was no object lol
but i am really liking the V90

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by wuufer001

E63 definitely will be first choice if money was no object lol
but i am really liking the V90

Drove one in Stockholm. Really, really nice. Volvo will be bringing some great stuff to market in the next few years.

[Fundguy1]

Wagons are pretty much special order. They were basically outlawed in the 70s/80s. Thank you Mr. Carter.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...tation-wagons/

[wuufer001]

my reason for wagon is i don't offroad or any in that nature, it will only be city driving yet space is very valuable also.
2 infants meaning a stroller will be needed every 'long' trip i take

[Fundguy1]

I'd still go Porsche suv, or hot hatch then. But that's me. You just aren't going to find many wagons anymore. Shame. I loved them as a kid.

[Sedoy]

Tesla Model S... technically it's almost a wagon if you consider the cargo with the front "frunk". In addition, you can configure it be a 7-seater, which zero of modern wagons can offer.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

In addition, you can configure it be a 7-seater, which zero of modern wagons can offer.

Merc E estate can also be specced with 3rd row.
Not that I have confidence in safety on 3rd row seats, but with that tesla 3rd row, it looks like people sit dangerously close to the rear windscreen:

Looks like a death trap to me.
If I had kids, I wouldn't want it to be their heads popping out the rear windscreen when getting rear ended. On the merc that distance seems to be safer (being a proper estate)

[wuufer001]

that 3rd row seating for the Tesla just scares me, just sits way too close to the possible collision point as stated above.
don't need much of the 3rd row seating though.
if don't go with the e63, e350 will suffice, in power i mean.
haven't driven a 350 specced merc before, i think that engine is still N/A right? please correct me if im wrong
*went back and took a look at the V90 again, it looks really long or is it just the way it's proportioned?

[gonzo]

^
I suspect the wheelbase will be 117".
X5 is 116" for comparison.

[VRG_135]

My dream car was a CTS-V wagon.....whenever my 07 Caddy SRX was in the shop, if I had to wait for something. I'd go sit in one and dream........

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Tesla Model S... technically it's almost a wagon if you consider the cargo with the front "frunk". In addition, you can configure it be a 7-seater, which zero of modern wagons can offer.

[Sedoy]

That's true, forgot that E-class offers third row in US. Thanks for correction.

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Merc E estate can also be specced with 3rd row.
Not that I have confidence in safety on 3rd row seats, but with that tesla 3rd row, it looks like people sit dangerously close to the rear windscreen:

Looks like a death trap to me.
If I had kids, I wouldn't want it to be their heads popping out the rear windscreen when getting rear ended. On the merc that distance seems to be safer (being a proper estate)

[W///]

Originally Posted by wuufer001

my reason for wagon is i don't offroad or any in that nature, it will only be city driving yet space is very valuable also.
2 infants meaning a stroller will be needed every 'long' trip i take

Not to mention some can be had with a manual transmission (not really the case anymore). That would be one of the big reasons for me to go wagon over SUV, even though I have a 4Runner beater.

[BEM-S4]

Stopped at the local Volvo dealer on my way back from lunch just now and drove a used E63 they had on the lot, asking $85k. If you can swing it $-wise that's definitely the way to go.

My father has a penchant for wagons and some mobility issues, is on his third car in the past 18 months. I mention this bc I've driven literally everything available as a result of car shopping for him. E63 is def in another league it had been a while since I've driven one.

[mkoesel]

(Split off from a different thread)

If I were looking for a wagon (well, it's really barely more spacious than a five door hatchback) the V60 Polestar would be top choice.

[Mr Carrots]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

If I were looking for a wagon (well, it's really barely more spacious than a five door hatchback) the V60 Polestar would be top choice.

It has less trunk space than a golf.

The last gen was utter garbage that drove like a civic, this new rube goldberg double FI on a 4 banger is ridiculous too.

Mercedes makes the only wagon worth buying in America unless you can snag a low mileage CTSV wagon

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

It has less trunk space than a golf.

Yeah, not spacious. Significantly quicker than a Golf R though, so it would be my choice in any case.

The last gen was utter garbage that drove like a civic, this new rube goldberg double FI on a 4 banger is ridiculous too.

The last generation is completely irrelevant, but I agree that the engine is a bit unconventional. Long term reliability may be of concern - not sure how they are doing in that regard TBH, I'd have to read up. They've only been using the HO I4 for a year or so.

Mercedes makes the only wagon worth buying in America unless you can snag a low mileage CTSV wagon

The Mercedes E400 Estate is a boat and not a zippy car. The V90 looks great but also heavyish like the Mercedes and thus also not quick (since not available as T8). The XF Sportbrake looks fantastic, but again performance probably won't be there. Now the E63 S Etate would likely be fun despite the large and fat characteristics carrying over from the E400. Problem is, I'm not paying 911+ money for anything but a 911 (or maybe an F-Type R).

What Mercedes does have, though, is the GLA45 and for the same money as a V60, despite it being an SUV technically, it might likely be the better buy in the end.

[Mr Carrots]

Golf R can be an 11 second car with a flash tune and downpipe, based on my test drives of the last gen v60 and the R I'd take the R over it any day

The upcoming GLA45 should be pushing more than 400 HP and VW just announced they will be beating AMG with the next iterations of R cars so I'd pass on the lumpy swedish car tbh. The gla also has a pitiful trunk unfortunately

The merc I was referring to was the e63s wagon

If bmw could bring over the 550 wagon that would be nice!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

Golf R can be an 11 second car with a flash tune and downpipe, based on my test drives of the last gen v60 and the R I'd take the R over it any day

Sure, modded cars are bonkers, but then that applies to anything. Stock for stock, the V60 Polestar is going to be hard to beat in the two-box passenger car category for reasonable MSRP. Golf R is a hell of a lot cheaper though - no doubt a great value.

The upcoming GLA45 should be pushing more than 400 HP and VW just announced they will be beating AMG with the next iterations of R cars so I'd pass on the lumpy swedish car tbh. The gla also has a pitiful trunk unfortunately.

That claim seems pretty suspect. We've seen this before with the R400 carrot they dangled and then thought better of, but that was not going to be a cheap car by any stretch of the imagination anyway. If VW wants to keep the car's sales above irrevevant they can't raise the starting price over ~$40k, and I'd tend to call BS on a $40k 400hp+ VW.

The merc I was referring to was the e63s wagon

Yeah it's a cool car, but I just can't quite agree it falls into the "worth it" category. If I were an oil sheik, sure.

If bmw could bring over the 550 wagon that would be nice!

Agree, but if we are talking about import fantasies, give me the C63 S Estate or the soon to be revealed B9 RS4 Avant all day. They'll no doubt wreck a 550i Touring just as bad as the sedans (well, no RS4 sedan, but an RS5 Sportback will land eventually) would respectively. And what the heck, I'll take a Golf R Sportwagen too for that matter, because that nice big usable hatch would be a worthy value add.

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

It has less trunk space than a golf.

The last gen was utter garbage that drove like a civic, this new rube goldberg double FI on a 4 banger is ridiculous too.

Mercedes makes the only wagon worth buying in America unless you can snag a low mileage CTSV wagon

I work for a dealer group that has a Volvo store and have experienced the new twin charged 4 in just about everything now, and I HATE it. The power delivery feels awful, it sounds terrible, and it has no character whatsoever. I also don't like their ponderous handling. That's to say nothing of how many I see in the shop with problems. No way would I own one.

That said, their new interiors are stunning.

[positiveions]

I drive a 2016 VW golf sportswagen. I like it. Though, how I wished VW could have used the 2.0 t instead of 1.8t engine. Car has some pretty insane body roll-however replacing the rear sway bar to that of the GTI helps with handling. Braking could use a better bite. Upgrading to Ferrodo pads is the way to go. Cargo space is awesome. Loaded my 4 stock 16" wheels and tires into the trunk when I upgraded my wheels without a problem. Thus far, I love it.

[mike@Vossen]

We built a E63 S 4 Matic with a full RENNTech Stage II.. ended up over 850hp and near 1000 lbs of torque. Really good room front and rear and a very spacious rear cargo area. One of my favorite vehicles ever.