Great series. Under "also consider" I think you meant "WRX wagon"... WRX is in a whole other class :)

"You are a keeper of the greatest of automotive secrets: wagons make the best cars."

Amen, bother. Amen

@derekste: at $25K for the non-STI we're talking about a vehicle in the same price range that I think certain segments would consider along side a SportWagen.

Mazda6 Wagons really aren't that hard to find. Autotrader.com, people. You may be stuck with a color you don't like, but hey, zoom-zoom. I <3 mine!

The question of how you're going to get all of this stuff back to your loft from Trader Joe's is a common one

There is a sale on Rotari Brut sparkling?!? Get the SportVagen ready... we will be popping bubbly until Armageddon.

@ranger88: yeah but who wants a wagon that is more reliable and cheaper?

...oh, right...

As always, it's pleasant to see another wagon offered to the masses of non-believers. I still prefer my 184hp, RWD, manual transmission equipped, little german wagon.. my 2001 325iT.

I wouldn't mind one if every piece of crappy chrome was color-matched, or even made of poopy plastic for that matter.
Euro Snob Says: "faux-chrome is soooo tacky"

@ß®@ƒƒ: I swear, every time I stop by Trader Joe's there is crowd of winos rolling out with several cases of two-buck chuck.

VW should be ashamed of that shitty radio design.

or you could be one of the 3000 people to buy a Volvo V50 in the US - I got mine for 25K for what it's worth and it's sweede.

I applaud any wagon. But dayum, looking at the driver's view pic, it really does have that VW look/feel. You could never think you were in anything else.
@Dr.Danger, El guapo diablo: Case in point.

I like how the rear lights don't seem to intrude too much on the hatch opening. I once ran into a case with my Golf where I was loading a bunch of boxes that should have fit but did not due to the smaller opening. That's what the roof and your left hand is for I guess.

@Dr.Danger, El guapo diablo: Word to the 10th power. Any time a manufacturer moves to something larger than DIN, the results are worse and it just takes up more space on the dash.

This is being compared to the WRX? No contest.

On a side note, can you guys run your own performance tests on these vehicles? 0-60 time? Braking?

@dudeman2323: I really like the looks of the v50 but they aren't available with a manual (at least the online builder doesn't give the option). If VW can keep the base price of the TDI version to $25K or less, I would seriously consider this car. 45mpg and 238lbs of torque are nothing to sneeze at.

Four stars? wtf, VW? Even a focus can muster 5.

"You think of wagons as something you're grandma drives."

Would it be too much trouble for the Gawker Hamsters to turn my cursor into a red pen, and allow me to stroke out errors? While they are at it, I would also like the ability to put a little "SP", "CS", or "RO" in the space between the lines. That would really abate my rage.

@dudeman2323: 25k buys a tdi sportwagen and it's not based off a ford parts bin which impresses some :).

@Feds: We're looking forward to a three-day weekend as much as anyone.

@Matt Hardigree: Matt, ever been in a WRX wagon?

I'm curious how the space compares.

This looks bigger, but looks can be deceiving.

@Mad_Science: I haven't been in the newest WRX wagon so it's hard to say, but it looks bigger. Straight-up comparison there's a couple of extra inches of legroom and an addition 22 cubic feet of storage space relative to the WRX which backs up my impression.

Saving up for a down payment on a diesel version...

"Also consider" the one-up SportWagen SE (chrome window trim, much nicer radio faceplate, leatherette upholstery, steering wheel buttons, aluminum trim). This near-base model looks positively Camry LE cheap.