Carscape Team
2nd place “Audi A4 Allroad Quattro” Outstanding performance on both high speed and rough roads
● Length 4760mm, Width 1845mm, Height 1490mm
The Audi A4 Allroad Quattro has a minimum ground clearance that is 30mm higher than the wagon-spec A4 Avant, and features special wheel arches that improve off-road performance. The Allroad Quattro, which was born in 1999 based on the A6 Avant, has expanded to other models. It was added to the predecessor A4, and the current model is the second generation.
Only one grade, which combines a 2L turbocharged gasoline engine with a 7-speed AMT and 18-inch, is sold in Japan. Of course, Audi’s proud 4WD system “Quattro” is installed, realizing smooth acceleration and driving stability regardless of whether it is on or off.
Luggage capacity, which is considered important in wagons, is 505L. When the seat is folded down, it expands to a maximum of 1510L. In addition, there are spaces on the left and right sides of the luggage compartment that are separated by a net.
It has excellent running performance on rough roads, which is great for enjoying the outdoors, but it is also worth noting that the ride on highways is outstanding. The all-road quattro, which can be used in all situations, from high-speed cruising to rough roads, is the strongest existence for enjoying both on and off.
3rd place “Honda Shuttle” boasts the largest load capacity of 5 number size
● Length 4440 mm, Width 1695 mm, Height 1545 mm
Utility is what we want to focus on when it comes to wagons that are required for outdoor use. The same goes for the interior space, but the luggage space is especially important for how much outdoor equipment and leisure goods can be loaded. However, the large body is not very user-friendly, so I would like to recommend the Shuttle.
The Shuttle, which was born based on the previous Fit, has a total length of 4440mm and a total width of 1695mm, and has a luggage capacity of 570L. When the rear seats are folded down, the maximum luggage compartment length is 1840mm, revealing a vast amount of space. It’s nice to be able to load a lot of camping gear even with four people on board.
The powertrain is available with a 1.5L direct injection straight 4 engine and a 1.5L straight 4 engine + motor hybrid. Although it is not the latest type of H:HEV adopted in the new Fit, the hybrid with this engine as the main character has good fuel efficiency, as well as good handling and driving performance as it is named “sporty hybrid”. increase.
Speaking of the neck, the tastelessness required for a wagon… If you don’t mind this point, it’s definitely a wagon to buy.
Station wagon best 3 for status symbol
Looking back at the history of the United States, where the station wagon was born, it seems that the wagon also played a role as a social item favored by the wealthy. When thinking about the theme of “wagon = luxury car”, I will write down three cars that I would like to recommend.
1st place “Volvo V60” A unique existence that can obtain Nordic design and utility
●Length 4760mm, Width 1850mm, Height 1435mm
Before and after the bubble economy, the Volvo 240 Estate attracted enormous support from creators and others. There are still quite a few car users who have the impression that Volvo is the best wagon for a rich life.
The current model of the V60, supported by such users, debuted in Japan in 2018. It should be noted that the overall width is 1850mm, which is 15mm smaller than the previous model. This is a response to the fact that mechanical parking lots in Japan, which is a major market, are limited to a total width of 1850 mm or less. This has greatly improved usability.
The V60 powertrain has two types of hybrids with different outputs (2L straight 4 engine + motor) and plug-in hybrid (2L straight 4 engine + motor). In addition, the advanced safety equipment, which Volvo is particularly focused on, is fully equipped.
The luggage capacity is as large as 529L. The rear seat retraction to expand the luggage space can be remotely operated with a switch near the luggage opening. In addition, the wagon is equipped with nice equipment such as a DC12V outlet on the side of the switch.
The sophisticated taste of the interior and exterior unique to Northern Europe cannot be imitated by German rival manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. There is no doubt that it is a station wagon that can be said to be self-reliant.
2nd place “Mazda 6 Wagon/Mazda Atenza” The only Japanese luxury wagon
● Length 4805mm, Width 1840mm, Height 1480mm
Mazda 6 renamed from Atenza in 2019. Even though the car name has changed, the lineup of premium station wagons, which can be said to be the only domestic car, has not changed.
Since its introduction in 2012, the Atenza, the predecessor of the Mazda 6 wagon, has undergone repeated improvements, including interior and exterior, equipment, and driving performance.
In particular, the powertrain has been updated to become Mazda 6, and now the gasoline engines are 2L straight 4, 2.5L straight 4, and 2.5L straight 4 turbo. The diesel engine is a 2.2L straight 4 diesel engine. In particular, the 2.5L gasoline turbo engine generates a large torque of 42.8kgf, which is comparable to a large displacement V8 engine. It achieves excellent acceleration feeling and comfortable driving from city driving to high speed driving.
Although it is a luggage capacity to be worried about, it is 506L at normal time. When the rear seats are stowed, the depth of luggage expands to 1985mm. In addition, the tonneau cover, which is difficult to store when removed, can be stored under the floor.
The next model that is rumored to adopt rear-wheel drive is also on the horizon, but it seems that it will be about two years away. Even the current model has enough qualities as a luxury station wagon.
3rd place “Jaguar XF Sports Break” Large premium wagon
●Length 4962mm, Width 2089mm, Height 1456mm
The Jaguar XF Sportbrake, which has been on sale in Japan since 2018, has an exceptional presence even in a number of premium wagons.
It has a relaxed styling typical of a station wagon, but it was made possible because of its huge body size. The benefits extend to the luggage space, and the luggage compartment capacity is a whopping 754L! Of course, if you fold the rear seats down, you get even more space.
There are two types of powertrains available for the XF Sportbrake. A 2L in-line 4 diesel with a maximum output of 204ps and a 2L in-line 4 gasoline engine with a maximum output of 250ps can drive a large body weighing about 1900kg without excess or deficiency. Driving performance is supported not only by the engine, but also by the AWD system, which has excellent predictive performance. It is possible to detect the road surface condition before a slip occurs and maintain control and stability.
Although the name recognition as a premium wagon in Japan is not as high as that of rival brands, ownership satisfaction is by no means inferior to rivals.
A famous station wagon that you can only in a used car lot
Station wagons were popular in Japan until a long time ago. Although the situation has changed completely now, I would like to introduce a station wagon that can be realistically purchased among the models that have led the popularity of wagons in Japan.
“Nissan Stagea” High-end wagon based on Skyline
●2001-2007 (2nd generation) ●Length 4800mm, Width 1790mm, Height 1550mm
The first Stagea was born in 1996 to respond to the wagon boom built by the first Legacy. It has a wagon-specific body using the Skyline and Laurel chassis, and has gained high popularity as a station wagon that combines high driving performance and prestige.
The second generation appeared in 2001, five years later. The lineup of crossover AR-X, which was not included in the first generation, became a hot topic. The second generation, which used the platform of the V35 Skyline, was equipped with three types of V6 engines, and not only was it practical as a wagon, but it also had high-quality driving.
“Honda Accord Tourer” Switching from US to European taste
● 2008-2013 ● Length 4750mm, Width 1850mm, Height 1470mm
Along with the first-generation Legacy, the Accord wagon set in the fourth-generation Accord drove the wagon boom. The Accord Wagon, which attracted attention as a reimported car made in the United States, gained high popularity with its full of “buttery” atmosphere.
Since the 4th generation, the tourer was added to the lineup of the 8th generation of the Accord, which has been set as a station wagon. Originally, it was a wagon specification with an American taste, but now it has a European taste from the tourer. The usability of the luggage room, etc. has been greatly improved, and this has attracted attention.
Fourth-generation Legacy Wagon, the culmination of the Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon
● 2003-2009 (4th generation) ● Length 4680mm, Width 1730mm, Height 1470-1475mm
Among the successive models, the fourth generation touring wagon is still gaining popularity. The 4th generation, which was developed with the goal of “fusing driving, function, and beauty,” is the 3rd size, but the usability follows the previous model. However, the parts that were inherited from the previous model were only a few parts such as the suspension arm, and it was a model change that revamped everything.
The combination of an improved horizontally-opposed engine and a 5-speed AT for the first time in the history of the model, along with high grand touring performance, has greatly improved fuel efficiency, which was a disadvantage in the past.
