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Luxury Winter Wagons | |
Good points: all wheel drive, solid chassis, ample safety equipment, excellent engines, easy to load, lots of extras. Needs improvement: expensive, not truly off-road worthy, gas mileage penalty for heavy all wheel drive systems, cupholder design, overly complex controls. All wheel drive Audi, Volvo, Volkswagen, Subaru, and BMW station wagons ranging in price from $30,000 to over $40,000 provide a politically correct and fairly exciting way to move people and property safely and with a dash of class in all but the most severe weather conditions. Our first reaction was that although these wagons are quite diverse in their appeal, they are really quite similar falling within two inches in wheelbase length, offer nearly identical warranties, and the gas mileage ratings are essential the same, 18 in town, 22 around town. We found the BMW 325xiT wagon the easiest on the gas, but it was also the smallest weighing 400 pounds less than the heftier two-ton Audi and VWs. Our next reaction was that although these competitors appear similar on paper, they are completely different in real world situations. In fact, the differences are so dramatic it is difficult to imagine any cars with more dissimilar personalities within such a narrow sales niche. For example, the Passat creates 270 horsepower from its slim four-liter V8; the Audi uses its 3.2 liter six cylinder engine to make 220 horsepower, and Volvo turbocharges its five-banger for 197 horsepower, while Subaru runs a Boxter engine with 2.5 liters and 165 horsepower. The BMW has 184 horsepower from its straight six cylinder. You can’t find a more diverse group of engines, and yet despite this diversity, all of the cars averaged about 22 mpg on the highway when loaded. If you are talking acceleration, all of the cars took their time getting to 60 mph as should be expected from a station wagon, but once under way their passing power was first-rate. These are not vehicles for darty driving, but safely passing was a reassuring pleasure. In a nutshell, if you live in snow country, the higher stance of the Volvo and Subaru make them your best choice. If you spend more time on the highway the smooth riding Audi is our recommendation. If you want plenty of power the Volkswagen W8 is mighty tempting, especially with a standard shift on the menu, and if you love to drive, feel the road, and the best brakes we know, slip the BMWxiT into your garage. No, we didn’t declare an overall winner, but we would buy the BMW for two reasons. First, it has a small turning radius making getting into parking spaces much easier as opposed to say the Volvo with its nearly 40 foot turning radius. Secondly, we also liked the crisp handling of the BMW. However, if we drove where winter meant snow the BMW would move to the back of the garage because of its limited road clearance and get out the reliable Subaru Outback and help the snowplow driver get to work. Mom’s view: The Volvo was a disappointment. I loved the Cross Country last year, but for some reason the ride and handling has changed. It might be because of the Pirelli Scorpion tires that followed every rut in the road. The soft shocks Volvo uses to make the Cross Country suitable for off-road use, kept our test car rocking as the tires reacted inappropriately to the diamond cut grooves and ruts in the freeways we travel. In fact, if I wanted a Cross Country, and they are stimulating to look at and have a sparkling interior, I would ask the dealer for a different tire. The Volvo has plenty of interior room, lots of standard features, and comfortable seats. The gauges are fairly easy to read, except for the stereo controls that border on unsafe to use while driving. The reason is because Volvo uses one button to control 20 stations. With the stereo readouts difficult to see with sunglasses on, you have to mindless turn the knob until your frequency locks on. An identical sized button controls the functions such as CD, FM, and AM. Again, it requires great skill and practice to get the feel of this set-up. The stereo reception is also sub-par, but the sound quality is above average. I also found that Volvo’s global positioning system screen too difficult to read in the sunlight, and the $2500 option’s monitor is quite small. The floaty ride and large blind spots behind the C pillars because of the small rear view mirrors are also worth noting when you take a test-drive. On the good side, the cargo hold was large, flat, and easy to use. The high seating position was a plus as were Volvo’s many safety features. The Cross Country had whiplash protection seats, inflatable curtains, side impact airbags, anti-lock brakes, optional child seat, and traction control. I felt that brakes were exceptional, nearly matching the Passat’s, but not nearly as grabby. In addition, Volvo has faired well in insurance and government crash testing. This Volvo also offers some innovative extras you can order that enable it to be even handier for a family. You can get bicycle and snowboard carriers and a picnic table that bolts onto the rear tailgate latch. Also, the heated seats worked extremely well making even the most cold –challenged member of the family content in under a minute. The second-row bench splits and folds in three sections (40/20/40) to vary the arrangements of passengers and bargains. You can also order an optional third seat for this Volvo to carry seven passengers. There is even an available electric refrigerated cooler that uses the center console’s outlet for power. The reason I liked the Volvo’s 2.4-liter inline five-cylinder light-pressure turbo engine with its five-speed automatic transmission over the competitors was its faster reaction to situations that required acceleration. Yes, I know about turbo lag, but there wasn’t much with this model and the Audi and Passat seemed to need more time to downshift and get “on the cam.” In fact, the Volvo is ready to go at 1800 rpm, whereas the others have to above 3000 rpm to supply serious speed. The BMW, when loaded, and the Subaru also offered lethargic acceleration until 3000 rpm. We wish the BMW would offer the wagon with the larger engine from the 330 model. Interestingly, BMW does offer an all wheel drive sedan with this powerplant. The Audi was especially slow off the line. For the $42,000 MSRP you should get more power so I would consider the 4.2 V8 engine instead of the 3.0 unit we tested. The Passat was a great handling wagon. It was second only to the smaller BMW in every test involving maneuvering through traffic. It was easy to load, but you had to constantly use a heavy foot if you wanted to sample the performance the new engine offered. Thus I question whether the extra $8000 or more the W8 costs over Volkswagen’s fine six-cylinder version is worth it, especially since they look virtually identical except for the double rear exhaust tips. Perhaps my greatest complaint about the Passat was its grabby brakes. They worked great and were linear until just before the car stopped. At that time they would grab. The tailgate was also a constant source of irritation. You had to use the remote every time, as there was no apparent exterior lock, and it was next to impossible to tell if the hatch was properly closed from outside the car. Other tidbits about the W8 Passat were that it had one of the best sound systems of any of the cars tested, and the dash layout was exceptional. However, the dimming rear view mirrors needed more dimming capability, and the cupholders were barely satisfactory for such an expensive car. As for the Audi, its interior lighting was plain dreadful. Over 40 red lights on the dash obscure such warning factors as the brake emergency flasher. On the plus side, the Audi was a pleasure to drive on the freeway, although it had a fair amount of wind noise and the wide tires slapped expansions joints with authority. The seats were above average, and the interior storage was good. The Audi was my second favorite vehicle as I found the interior appealing with a nice understated combination of wood and leather surfaces. It was easily the most “adult” vehicle we tested. The 325xi all-wheel- wagon came well equipped, but cost over $40,000. It came with leather seats, automatic climate control, one-touch power windows, heated mirrors, a CD player and keyless entry and the smooth 184 horsepower 2.5-liter inline six. The all wheel drive set up places 38 percent of the engine's power at the disposal of the front wheels and 62 percent to the rear. Safety wise there are antilock brakes, a stability control system, dynamic brake control, and front side-impact airbags and head curtain airbags. It feels solid. I loved hearing the reassuring solid sound the doors made when you shut them. It should be copyrighted. Driving the Subaru, since we own an older Legacy, was easy for us. However, the seats were not up to the more expensive competition and neither was the array of extra goodies. Subaru has spent their time making a terrific all wheel drive system that makes it my first choice for true winter driving. Although it lacks the ground clearance of the Volvo, the engine is much more predictable in slippery weather. You don’t want the turbo boost, which you cannot control, on the Volvo to come on when you are trying to get going on an icy road. Turbos have their place in the world, but I like the call Subaru with it narrow width, extra fast acting heater (the second fastest we have ever tested—the first, believe it or not, was in the Hyundai Elantra GT)-and better rear view mirrors. In conclusion, the Volvo was a first-rate companion and reassuring to drive. The Audi has good looks and I felt good when driving it. The Passat was just too full of itself for me to enjoy. Make no mistake about it, I think that the six cylinder Passat wagons are as good as any, but when we are thinking of spending $40,000 you need more than a powerful W8 engine to sway me. The Subaru was much less expensive than the other vehicles and it showed although it was the best in off-road situations and had the best sound system. If just needs more power to take a family on a mountain ski trip. Of course, it was the only wagon that required regular unleaded and so you save in money on operation costs. I believe that the Subaru deserves the title as America’s most popular station wagon because it is a workhorse. But, when you enter the field of luxury wagons it lacks the extras. And, the wagon I loved the most was the diminutive and darling BMW 325xi. It stopped right now, turned accurately, and just stirred my soul with its solid, good-natured ride. It was the smallest vehicle tested, but you never felt intimidated when driving it. Make mine silver. Dad’s view: The Passat is the best wagon for me. It has a tight ride, superior brakes—although they do grab, and easy to load. However, I did not like the fact that we could not seem to get the rear hatch open without opening all the doors first. More than once I had to get out and re-shut the hatch because it I hadn’t secured it with enough force and I compete in Senior Olympic weightlifting. Apparently, I am slipping, which is a distinct possibility, or the hatch was misaligned. This new wagon is all about the new 270 horsepower engine W8 engine that creates 273 pounds-feet of torque at 2,750 rpm and is mated to a Tiptronic five-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode. The engine drives through the 4Motion all-wheel drive and comes with electronic anti-skid and brake assist. The result is a nice tight package, but far from fast due to having to haul around 4067 pounds, including 200 pounds of all-wheel drive equipment. The engine is slim and smooth. However, when the wagon is loaded with people and luggage it is challenged at low speeds. The good news is that you can now get a standard transmission for the Passat, but we did not test this model. Of all the vehicles, the BMW and Passat’s steering were the best, the Audi’s the less precise, and the Volvo’s the slowest to react. Off course, none of these cars are canyon runners. Another fact in the Volkswagen’s favor is that this was a trim car, second in size to the little BMW, and yet had more cargo capacity. It also essentially came one way—loaded and still was second lowest in price to the Subaru. It might be interesting to note that the Automobile Lease Guide lists all of these manufacture’s vehicles at the top of its residual value ratings. (http://www.alg.com/news/ALG_RVA2002_PR.pdf) My feelings about the Volvo are that it has needs better tires, a firmer ride, and better pricing. As it now stands, you can buy a much larger base model Volvo SUV for the same price as a loaded Cross Country. The Volvo’s brakes are exceptional, and the 2.4-liter light pressure turbocharged engine produces an adequate 197 horsepower and 210 lb. feet of torque. The best part is that nearly all of that torque is available throughout the rpm range. The BMW was lots of fun, but the all wheel drive system on this model leaves my perplexed. The lack of ground clearance does not allow for traveling on un-plowed roads or rain, and so seems designed to enhance handling. Yet, the engine does not have the power to even begin to challenge this car’s suspension. It reminds me of the first BMW Z3 sports cars with their capable, but far from energetic four cylinder engines. You could have a lot of fun in them going around corners, but you always ended up wanting more motor. The same goes for the 325xi. Driving the Subaru is as close as you can get to driving an appliance. It does everything well, but does not call attention to itself. Even with the more powerful Boxter six cylinder engine, the Subaru isn’t exciting. On the other hand, there is not a car in the test I would rather be in during a ski trip or in a snowstorm. The Subaru does its job without drawing attention to itself. The fact that we own a Legacy should tell you about how we feel concerning Subaru. The Audi was just to adult for me. The interior is formal, the seats comfortable, and the ride nearly elegant. The problem is that the Audi with the six-cylinder engine does not offer enough grunt for the money. I just didn’t like the lethargic feeling I got when driving this car, but that would change if I went for the perkier V8. Working teenage male’s view: I didn’t like any of these wagons. The Audi is the nicest looking, but the stereo is difficult to use (although easier than on previous models), the cupholders lack a quality design, there isn’t a handy place for a cell phone, and every two hours an annoying beep goes off to remind you to pull over and take a break. In other words, for $42,000 I expected better problem solving. Here is an example; the dashboard lights and every switch are all lighted at night in red. It makes it difficult to find what you are looking for. By the way, if you have large hands good luck getting them around the emergency brake handle. It is housed in a carved out section of the center console. The same goes for the large hard covered door pockets that are difficult to use and only can be opened when the passenger of driver door is open. Perhaps the worst feature is the lack of performance from the 3.0-liter engine. There just isn’t enough torque to get the Quattro going. Once under way, the engine is quite capable. So, if you like to drive from 50 to 80 the 220 horsepower V6 is adequate for a $42,000 car. If you like to get to 60 in a hurry, get the Volvo or Passat or BMW. Regardless, the Audi’s engine is smooth. The ride benefits from changes to the suspension, such as better shock absorbers, aluminum suspension components, improved steering, and a stability program. You notice it mostly on highways where it holds the course well. However, a lack of ground clearance makes it more difficult to drive in the snow. The one area of disbelief I felt with the Audi was that despite the $42,000 price tag, you still have to pay an extra $500 for heated seats. You do get a five-speed automatic with Tiptronic, a stability control system, side airbags for front occupants, and a head curtain system for the front and rear passengers. You also have a little over 36 cubic feet of cargo area which is nearly identical to the other wagons except for the smaller BMW. If you are into long drives, the Passat’s larger gas tank provides you the opportunity to go over 500 miles between refueling and the Subaru has the least range, making 350 miles between stops if you are lucky. Volkswagen’s W8 provides an interesting option we did not test, but feel it might make the car extraordinarily enjoyable. You can get a six-speed manual transmission and a sport package that includes a firmer suspension and 17-inch wheels to better utilize the lofty revving 270 horsepower engine. There are also plenty of perks with this wagon including Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. You get vented disc brakes, xenon headlamps, standard front side airbags and head curtain airbags for the front and rear, and stability control to justify its $38,000 price. The Subaru’s only problem is that it is underpowered. When you take it anywhere above sea level you notice that the Boxter engine is not happy. Other than that the Subaru is a great car. I would own it in a minute because it is economical to operate and you don’t have to be fussy with it. Obviously, I enjoyed the BMW’s rigid ride. There is little doubt that the 325 is incredibly willing to give you the joy of driving and the practicality of a wagon in one, expensive package with a test car price over $40,000. Unemployed female graduate student: Volkswagens are very much appreciated by college students. However, I don’t know if a $40,000 Passat wagon will be despite its many attributes. The reason is simple: image. Volkswagens in my area are perceived as fun, reasonably priced car that portray a playful image. The Volvo is for older folks, and the Audi is somewhat snobbish. To pay as much for a VW as an Audi or big Volvo is going to be a difficult selling job. The exterior certainly belies the Passat’s price, and the interior lacks charm and needs more handy storage space. I did like the fact that the sunroof and rear windows could be left open without causing a wind roar. This is far more important than you might think, especially in a wagon where hauling dogs may be daily episode. I have found that slightly lowering the right rear window quickly draws the hot air out, and makes kids and critters happy until the air-conditioning can cool the wagon’s interior. If you try this with the BMW you are probably going to find yourself deafened by the wind thumping through the opened windows. Almost terrifying. The Passat’s dashboard is straightforward, but the red and blue night lighting is not easy to get used to, especially in traffic. The stereo is simply wonderful, and easy to use. The climate control could be simplified. Safety wise The Passat earned five stars from the government for admirable frontal impact crash results, and four stars in the side-impact categories. The Volkswagen also comes with front and side airbags, and head curtain airbags for the front and rear. Stability control is also standard on the W8. Family conference: There are a lot of ways to measure a luxury all wheel drive station wagon’s ability to please its owner. Value for the money, cargo capacity, ride quality, safety equipment, handling, engine performance, creature comforts, and persona are among the most vital. As such, we have four winners: For winter travel the Subaru; for highway travel, the Audi; for fun driving, the BMW; and for everything else, the Volvo. Important Statistics (estimates) Audi BMW Subaru Volvo Volkswagen Base costs $38,800 $32,845 $32,395 $33,870 $38.700 Horsepower 220 184 212 208 270 Torque 221 175 210 236 273 Air conditioning zones 2 1 1 2 1 Xenon headlights Optional Optional n/a n/a Standard Stereo speakers 8 10 7 6 8 Audi BMW Subaru Volvo Volkswagen EPA city 18 19 19 18 18 Cargo room 36.4 27.3 34.2 36 37.5 Basic warranty 4/50,000 4/50,000 3/36,000 4/50,000 4/50,000 Length 192 176.3 187.4 186.3 184.3 Width 71.2 68.5 68.7 73.2 68.7 Height 58.2 56.3 63.3 61.5 58.9 Weight 3924 3627 3735 3827 4067 Turning radius 38.3 35.8 39 39 37.7 Ground Clearance 4.5 5.3 7.9 8.2 5.8 | |
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