The Un-Wagon Wagons

REAR-SEAT IMPRESSIONS


The New Father
Sporty wagons for young families? Please. None of these vehicles has much more room than their sedan counterpart. If I had 40K to spend, I might buy a BMW. But not a BMW wagon.-Brian J. Fortner

The Expectant Mom
My job was to rate the best car for a budding family. My pick: the Mercedes, because it felt the most wagon-esque. But who wants to clean vomit off plush leather seats?-Robin M. LaSalle

The Single Guy
My colleagues are missing the point. These cars aren't really for them. They're not even purebred wagons. They're hatchbacks. Really fast hatchbacks that can hold a couple of mountain bikes. What's not to like?
-Michael Moyer

TECHNOLOGY QUOTIENT


Audi A4 Avant Quattro

Engine & drivetrain: 12

Suspension: 12

Safety: 15

Electronics: 15

Materials: 12

Total: 66


BMW 325ix

Engine & drivetrain: 13

Suspension: 12

Safety: 15

Electronics: 12

Materials: 12

Total: 64


Lexus IS300 SportCross

Engine & drivetrain: 13

Suspension: 12

Safety: 14

Electronics: 15

Materials: 12

Total: 66


Mercedes C320

Engine & drivetrain: 11

Suspension: 12

Safety: 15

Electronics: 14

Materials: 12

Total: 64

NOTE: 50 points out of 100 is the baseline score for the expected technology in this vehicle class.