Audi A4 Allroad | Saab 9-3X | Subaru Outback | Volvo XC70
As the 1990s saw sport utility vehicles dominate American roadways at an exponential rate, the numbers of one of America’s most iconic vehicles, the station wagon, began to dwindle almost to the point of extinction. Luckily for station wagon lovers and those looking for fuel-efficient replacements to gas-guzzling SUVs, the trusty wagon appears not only to be making a comeback but four wagons in particular look to rival SUVs for fuel economy and crossovers for off-road ruggedness. Set to debut for the 2010 model year, the all-new Saab 9-3X and Audi A4 Allroad quattro will join other beefed up wagons such as the Volvo XC70 and Subaru Outback. All of these wagons continue to provide the expected cargo capacity that consumers desire from crossovers and SUVs, while offering a combination of off-road capabilities and decent fuel economy that really gives the competition a run for its money. This relatively new vehicle segment is aimed at consumers with active lifestyles but don’t want cumbersome SUVs or car-based crossovers.
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The AMC Eagle may have introduced America to the crossover station wagon in 1980, but the Subaru Outback made the idea popular when it was introduced in 1995.
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Of the four off-roading wagons, our top choice for style, capabilities and importance is the 2010 Saab 9-3X. Based on the 9-3 SportCombi, the 9-3X adds a taller ride height, distinctive styling and, most importantly, Saab’s stable Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) system that debuted on the performance-minded Turbo X. The 9-3’s styling is accentuated by the seemingly obligatory two-tone coloring scheme common with its competitors that feature grey, matte plastic on the lower edges of the fascias, rocker panels and wheel openings for added protection from exposed tree roots or loose gravel. For added ground clearance, the 9-3X sits 1.4 inches higher than the base 9-3 SportCombi, but uses the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. Saab’s future with General Motors may be uncertain, but with new vehicles like the 9-3X in its future, the company is still capable of producing stylish purposeful vehicles.
Audi followed up its recent debut of the A4 sedan and wagon with the 2010 Audi A4 Allroad quattro. Like the company’s entry-level sedan, the A4 Allroad is designed to offer top-notch handling – in this case the car’s handling is stable on pavement or twisting off-road trails. The A4 Allroad has a wider track than its wagon counterpart and over seven inches of ground clearance for optimal off-road handling and stability. While the car’s definitive future in North America isn’t known, the A4 Allroad would most likely use powertrains available in the 2009 Audi A4 sedan that include the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 or the direct-injected 3.2-liter V-6. Audi’s famed quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system is standard equipment on the 2010 A4 Allroad as is the Electronic Stability Program with Offroad Detection. This system maximizes driving enjoyment regardless of the road conditions.
Last year, we had the chance to drive the 2009 Volvo XC70 and we absolutely loved how the car handled both on and off road. Based on the Volvo V70 wagon and S80 sedan, the XC70 is by far the biggest and most luxurious of this bunch. With impressive approach, break over and departure angles (16, 18 and 20 degrees, respectively) and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the Volvo XC70 is by far the most capable of the four to tackle the deep ruts on a muddy off-road trail. Volvo’s proven 3.2-liter inline-6 and smooth-shifting six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission pair up to the Haldex all-wheel drive system. As the largest vehicle in this segment, the XC70 features a cargo area that can hold up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded flat and offers the convenience of adjustable tie downs with integrated aluminum supports.
The most notable difference between the 2009 Subaru Outback and its aforementioned competitors the lack of plastic cladding around the lower edges. The monochromatic paint scheme gives the Outback a distinguishable appearance – which may or may not be good in this segment. Another unique aspect to the Outback is that it is the only vehicle of this bunch not available as a toned-down, soccer-mom wagon as well. Based on the Subaru Legacy sedan, the Outback is the only way Subaru offers the Legacy Wagon in North America any more. For Subaru, the Outback stays true to the company’s small, all-wheel drive car mantra as the Tribeca and the award-winning Forester have taken the company into the bigger and more lucrative SUV market. The Outback holds the distinction of being the only non-European offering in this segment.