"Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is on. GM source has confirmed to me that CTS-V Wagon will exist along with the sedan and coupe.^SO"

[Via Inside_Line Twitter]

The rise and fall of minivans and then SUVs and social pressure towards more responsible and fuel-efficient options is making the time right for the return of the wagon. They offer the gear-toting capability of SUVs, the step-over height, performance and fuel-efficiency of cars and they take nothing from the minivan, thankfully. Their major weakness has been styling, considered the more staid option compared to their sedan bases. The CTS Sport Wagon takes the wagon form to a level of sexy rarely seen in the segment.

An easy gauge of public interest in a car is how many times you're goaded into rolling down the window at a stop light by a dumbstruck motorist excited to know more about it. We knew Cadillac had done their job the fourth time someone stopped us to talk in the same day. The fellow behind the wheel of a Mercedes C-class wore a wide-eyed expression of an eight-year-old at the toy store, which told us what we already knew. This wagon is hot. It takes everything we like about the Cadillac CTS and somehow makes it even better. The long roof-line makes it seem sleeker, more finished — as if this was the original design, and the sedan was cut from it.

Like its CTS brother, the Sport Wagon is one of the best luxury cars on the market. It does absolutely everything right. The interior is beautifully finished, the wood, leathers, technology and quality are everything we expect of a Cadillac reclaiming its position as a global luxury power player. The car benefits from all 2010 CTS upgrades, including 6.5 lbs of additional sound damping and completely redesigned transmission mounts to remove harshness at certain engine speeds.

The base 3.0-liter V6 makes 270HP and our optional 304 HP direct injection 3.6-liter V6 balanced power and smoothness; there's significant thrust underneath the grown-up physique. Sadly, the manual transmission won't be available in the Sport Wagon, but the automatic transmission is well sorted. It's equipped with a manual mode activated by buttons on the back side of the steering wheel, but we recommend leaving it in full auto, as the shifts in manual are a bit sluggish for our tastes. The car is expected to return 18/27 MPG figures, and we saw 16.5/25.5 MPG with aggressive driving, so we're certain it'll do those numbers without trouble. Turn off the traction control and the car will happily indulge your mischievous side — donuts and oversteer are only a throttle stab away and the car is predictable as a go-kart, just like the CTS.

Then you pull into the driveway, fold down the seats, and toss your bicycle in the back. Or a month's worth of groceries. Or the dog. There's 58 cubic feet of storage back there with the seats down, 25 up. The only concession you make to get the massive storage is reduced visibility out the back window. The blind spots are there, but are no more intrusive than the sedan, and the backup camera and proximity sensors eliminate those in tight spaces.

Production on the Sport Wagon started last Monday, and with a starting price of $40,485, the car thoroughly crushes its remaining German rivals for the price. Our optioned-out performance package came with heated and cooled seats, XM radio, 18" Contisport 3 summer tires, more aggressive suspension tuning, a faster steering ratio and stiffer anti-roll bar. Well worth it in our opinion. The CTS Sport Wagon is everything a luxury wagon should be, it's refined and comfortable, not afraid of a little work on the side, and very importantly, fun to drive. After the CTS-V, the Sport Wagon is the best car in the Cadillac lineup right now. Well, until the CTS-V Sport Wagon. Hello, GM bean counters, are you listening?

"General Motors will unveil a Cadillac CTS wagon this fall in an effort to compete with BMW's 3 series and Mercedes C-class wagons. Cadillac intends to start production in 2009 for global sale. GM has shown a CTS coupe concept to be produced next year."

Well, it looks like they also know there's a new SRX is on the way for 2010 and surprise, it'll be the BRX/Provoq concept:

"Cadillac also plans to replace its current SRX crossover with a production version of the Provoq concept crossover as a 2010 model."

Open up the power-operated lift-gate, and you'll find 25 cubic feet of cargo space, and 58 cubic feet of cargo space when you put down the split-folding 2nd row seat. That's not quite enough room to fit a casket in the back, but we have a feeling that this is one Cadillac wagon that won't be used for hearse duty. What we know for sure is we're of the opinion if Cadillac had wanted to keep this to themselves, they would have done it the old fashioned way — behind closed doors in panel testing.


Big Hat Tip to Wally!

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: Yes
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
• VW Jetta SportWagen TDI
• VW Jetta SportWagen 2.0T
• Mazda6 Wagon, if you can find one
• Subaru WRX
• Audi A3

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Volkswagen
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: Good Question
• Price as Tested: Better Question
• Engine type: 2.5L DOHC I5
• Horsepower: 170 @ 5,700 RPM
• Torque: 177 @ 4,250 RPM
• Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
• LxWxH: 179.3" x 70.1" 57.4"
• Wheelbase: 101.5"
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/29
• NHTSA crash test rating: ****/**** (Driver/Passenger)

Also see:

• 2009 Jetta Sportwagen, Part One
• 2009 Jetta SportWagen, Part Two

Acceleration:**
We can't wait to see the performance numbers for the wagon with the new 2.0-Liter TDI four banger, which looks to put out 235 lb/ft of torque. This is my nice way of saying that while the 170-horsepower 2.5-Liter I5 provides enough power to keep up with your neighbors, you'll need a little more to outpace them.

Braking:***
Despite the added heft of the wagon, its four-wheel disc brakes provide easy and predictable stopping power. This came in handy when driving through Wrigleyville, with its high concentration of bars, and playing my favorite game: dodge the drunk. I didn't run over anyone who didn't deserve it.

Ride:***
It is a testament to the designers that the SportWagen maintains the sportier-than-thou handling that Volkswagens are known for without sacrificing ride quality. Though the suspension is tuned stiffer than your dad's Country Squire, you'll still be able to apply EZ Cheese to your pretzels without making a mess as you cross the country on the way to your family reunion.

Handling:***
Speaking of the Country Squire, this Jetta could drive circles around it with an independent suspension up front consisting of McPherson struts and a rear multi-link rear setup. It is genuinely fun to toss the SportWagen about and doesn't suffer from a case of the leans in heavy cornering. The steering response is wonderful, providing a level of feedback much higher than you'd expect from a car in this class.

Gearbox:***
The five-speed manual transmission, like much else on this vehicle, provides predictable and precise performance. Even with sloppy shifting and some experimenting with the throttle I never felt the threat of slippage. Fourth gear felt a touch tall given that fifth gear is setup for highway driving, but that's a minor complaint given how much we enjoy the novelty of having a fun manual transmission in a wagon for sale in the US.

Audio:***
The standard eight-speaker stereo provides great sound throughout the open cabin. Chicago is a nightmare for people who listen to non-satellite radio but the Diversity Antenna, which switches between two physical antennae, never let me down. All that's separating this system from that extra star is the fact that the base audio system in this model features an input for an iPod but no discernible way of using it. Pod teases.

Toys:***
This particular model isn't heavy on toys but there are a few nice additions, including three power outlets, fully automatic windows for all passengers, integrated turn signal mirrors and dual reflector headlights that feature tiny VW logos.

Value:***
Yesterday I hinted that the base price was going to be somewhere near $20,000. Though I don't have an "as tested" price for this model, it looks like the base price could be as low as $19,900 and as high as $24,500. I still believe this is a reasonable amount to pay for the product (especially at the lower end), but the real value may come with the TDI model.

Overall: ***
Though not a knockout in either performance or looks, I was sad to see the SportWagen go. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for that extra pillar and being able to enjoy a wagon designed to the higher standards of our snooty European brothers and sisters without a slush box is a rare treat. Paired with a clean turbodiesel capable of an EPA estimated 41 mpg highway (though we expect a higher real world experience), the SportWagen could be a real contender.

Also see:

• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part One
• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part Three

Though I find this move disappointing, the indistinctness of the Jetta is mostly inoffensive and in SportWagen form the car loses the dorky symmetrical greenhouse for a slightly angled beltline that finishes with a thick pillar a la Cayenne. If you're into the sort of thing. And even if you aren't, as with the houses, you'll be spending more time inside enjoying it than outside staring at it. In my case this "enjoying" means the fun of toying with solid German engineering and not the pain of trying to lounge in the specially designed though miserably uncomfortable Wright furniture.

The inside of this car is a comfortable place to be even though this particular SportWagen was the basest of base models, equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and the 2.5-liter inline-five engine. Volkswagen likes to tout the fact that this engine is half of a Lamborghini V10 (they share a head-design) which is true in the way that ELO Part 2 was half of ELO. Despite its over-hyped origin the 170 horsepower and 177 lbs-ft of torque provide sufficient power. Those not content with sufficiency will have the option of the 2.0-liter turbo or 50-state legal TDI fourbanger when the car goes on sale in a few months.

Driving home from Target with a load of soymilk, toilet paper and the assorted basic needs of a modern life the VW encouraged confidence with enough power available to get me from stoplight to stoplight without worrying I'd find a lead-footed cabbie in the spacious hatch. However, while trying to sprint up a long highway onramp I nearly ran out of room before having to give way to a Compact SUV. Racing down the highway to reclaim my manhood, in a wagon no less, I was able to smoothly guide the quickly yielding shifter into third before it ran out of breath. I guess I could take comfort in the fact that with nearly 67 cubic feet of storage space the Jetta could easily haul more gear than the SUV.

I felt better when the Jetta reached the outer limits of Cook County along a stretch of road leading up to the aforementioned Glencoe, one of the locations used by John Hughes in Ferris Bueller's Day Off to represent upper-class comfort. All of a sudden the monotonous straightness gives way to a patch of road that doesn't stay straight for longer than 60 yards and includes a number of blind curves. Though there was a suggestion for lower speed, the Jetta shrugged it off. This generation features an independent suspension at all corners, including a rear multilink setup "borrowed" from Ford's capable C1-platform (they hired the same designers), which I was easily able to put to good use charting a sharp, fast line like a caterer late for a Junior League tea.

Weaving my way past the carefully manicured lawns and opulent homes it struck me that any shortcomings could be easily forgotten if you consider that this is a well-built, well-handling and attractive station wagon with German heritage and a manual transmission that should sell for somewhat less than most of these people spend to send their bratty kids to preschool (we hear close to $20K when it goes on sale).

Say what you will about the relatively bland new look, the 2009 Jetta SportWagen feels both unique and structurally sound. That's more than we can say for all of Wright's work. The famous Fallingwater may be one-of-a-kind, but the property has been saddled with problems ranging from rampant mold to balconies that started to bend due to insufficient reinforcement. That small detail and the general progression of taste meant the enclave of Prairie-style design in Glencoe is a historic neighborhood, no longer replicated. And with the impending demise of the Mazda6 wagon in North America, the SportWagen could be the last of a dying breed of fun, relatively cheap wagons.

Also see:

• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part Two
• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part Three

"We looked at that, but the amount of change to meet US regulations was going to be quite a lot of money...and the sad truth is, as much as some of us like 'sportwagons', they just don't sell in the US.

"How often do you see an Audi wagon? How often do you see a BMW wagon? How often do you see a Mercedes wagon? The answer is, almost never...they're just not fashionable. I can't explain why."

All right, we have so many station wagons on our wish list that we may well have to institute a Jalopnik Fantasy Wagon Garage. And, by gum, the first two wagons to rumble into the JFWG would have to be a mid-60s Buick Sport Wagon and a mid-60s Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. Both would be equipped with 455s and 4-speeds, of course (but you knew that). Click the link to visit the GM Skywagons Club's site-o-wagonly-goodness. – Murilee Martin

GM Skywagons [vistacruiser.com]

Related:
The Mightiest Buick Sport Wagon of All Time [internal]

A Buick Sport Wagon with the fighter-jet-style roof glass inspires great yearning in our hearts, even when we're dealing with one in stock form. But this one... well, all we have to say here is: Nine Freakin' Seconds! – Murilee Martin

Related:
Yet More GM A-Body Fun: The GSwagon! [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You live in a world of snow, sleet, rain and loose gravel; you love BMW s, you don t have kids, you don t drive fast and you re never, ever going to sell your car.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: The 325ix may get you out of/through the muck, but it drives like an alcoholic after root canal surgery: slow and numb. Anyone who ponies-up forty-large for a fully-specced 3-Series sports wagon is also looking at the kind of cliff-face depreciation normally reserved for Ferraris and 12-cylinder luxo-barges. You have been warned.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals
· Manufacturer: BMW
· Model tested: 325xi Sports Wagon
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $43,140
· Engine type: 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve inline six
· Horsepower: 215hp @ 6250 rpm
· Torque: 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm
· Redline: 7250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: Bridgestone Turanza E42 205/55R-16
· Drive type: four-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: 7.7 secs.
· 1/4 mile: NA
· Top speed: 130 mph (limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 20/27
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NR

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 BMW 325ix Sport Wagon, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Exterior Design ***
Thanks to Bavaria s blingtastic Bangalization, the 325xi Sports Wagon s perceived size and aesthetic appeal depend entirely on the viewing distance, angle and time of day. It looks big, then small, then sporty, then clunky It s the MC Escher of lifestyle station wagons. Is that a good thing? Let s just say the 325xi Sports Wagon s design is interesting — in the sense that you never quite know if you like it or not.

Acceleration **
The Sports Wagon s sweet-singing syrupy six is stifled by 500lbs. of four-wheel-drivery and a go-pedal that s deader than a doornail that s been shot, strangled, poisoned and hung. Once you manage to roust the 325xi s powerplant above 3500rpm, BMW s valve technology corrals all 215 horses on your behalf, restoring ultimate driving brand-vibe. It s too little, too late.

Braking ***
Like several Bimmers we ve tested of late, the anchors are touchier than a subway sex pest, requiring more far conscious concentration/modulation than you d expect for a car so dear. (And I mean that financially.) Nothing wrong with their effectiveness, tho .

Ride ***
BMW s new five-link/five-beam rear suspension is an excellent device, and there ain t nothing wrong with that double pivot front suspension neither (provided all that aluminum casting don t warp none). Still, Bimmer chassismeisters were out of tune on this one. To get the lardy little load lugger to handle, they sacrificed suspension travel (especially for a vehicle that s gonna carry heavy stuff). Around town ride comfort is only slightly more than merely adequate. Hit a bad pothole and you ll think you done broke it.

Handling ***
Hey! Not bad! Once you finally . get the thing going, once you develop the triceps needed to heave the hefty tiller to and fro, you can continue negotiate the twisty bits at speed without unduly rousting the electronic Nanny or raising your insurance premiums. On the downside, there s about 10% too much body lean through the corners, the chairs are less supportive than an NRA lobbyist discussing gun control legislation and the aforementioned suspension issue can be a crashing bore.

Gearbox ***
In case you haven t guessed it by now, our test wagon was autoboxed. While the changes are as glass pane seamless, the mileage-seeking six-speed displayed a worrying reluctance to kick down at highway speeds (creating a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing).

Audio/Video ****
The 325xi get full marks for its optional $1200 MP3-compatible killer stereo, and the absence of iDrive. Blame the head unit display s game of hide and hide with sunglass wearers for our astral stinginess.

Toys ***
Although we re personally happy that BMW follows the industry practice of loading press cars to the gunnels with every toy in their extensive catalogue, private motorists are advised to spec lightly. There s no gotta-have toy, the 325xi is plenty pricey as is, and you ll never see that money again as long as you live.

Trunk *****
It s a hatchback, innit? The rear seats fold with ease to accommodate the schlepping needs of the model s snow-paranoid, antique-carrying, DINK-niche buyers.

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 BMW 325ix Sport Wagon, Part 1 [internal]

Normally, I couldn t care less whether or not a car has four-wheel-drive. The weight penalty exacted by all those extra bits and pieces only affects the performance of the most anemic vehicles. Even if buyers only use the extra traction provided by variable four-corner oomph to rocket out of a snow-covered parking lot a couple of sale days a year, even if it s just the thought that counts, why the Hell not? You pays your money, you reduces your chances of death and dismemberment. But the BMW 325xi Sports Wagon offers a compelling case against its own intelligent four-wheel-drive system: it's a passion killer.

Let s start with steering. The Boys from Bavaria only recently regained their rep for sublime helmsmanship (provided you stay away from Active Steering). The rear-wheel-drive 325i s tiller delivers the most satisfying tactility and precise tire guidance you can find outside of a Porsche showroom. The 325xi Sports Wagon s steering is, in contrast, preposterously ponderous. I reckon it s the most under-assisted power steering money can buy. There are longer boats with a shorter turning circle. Not to put too fine a point on it, aiming the 325xi is hard work.

And then there s the go-pedal — or, I should the say, the "fer Christ s sake, let s GO!" pedal. The 325xi Sports Wagon s rear appendage and four-wheel-drivery add about 500 lbs. to the base sedan's curb weight. On an objective level, the performance differential doesn t appear bothersome (e.g. 7.3 vs. 6.7 secs. to 60mph). Subjectively, the 325i wants to skedaddle, while the 325xi needs a big old kick in the ribs just to get it off its ass. In fact, the Sports Wagon s Dead Man s Throttle feels like it was lifted directly from an old Mercedes E-Class, back when your right foot could tap dance on the gas pedal without the slightest effect on the speedometer.

That said, hammering the 3-Series Sports Wagon s sweet-spinning six without mercy is an exercise in aural delight that will just about get you out of your own way. And the diminutive load lugger handles well enough at speed. The only blots on its cornering copybook are the seats lack of lateral support, a tendency to lean through the turns and God-awful suspension crash when surmounting potholes. If you cane the 325xi Sports Wagon 24/7, you could probably live with these barriers to ultimate driving. Why bother? So you can carry a grandfather clock while doing so?

I m sure there are BMW owners who genuinely need a top-notch four-wheel-drive system. I m equally certain there are [childless] Bimmer buyers who prefer a miniature wagon (a.k.a. long-wheelbase hatchback) to a trad four-door. But I m not entirely convinced there are many such niche fillers willing to trade a huge chunk of brand-implied driving pleasure for occasional extra traction and a fifth door. BMW missed a trick by making its four-wheel-drive system standard in a small, swage-intensive load lugger that costs 40 large. I guess that getting what you paid for isn t always what it s cracked up to be. [by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 BMW 325i, Part 1 [internal]

From the "let's tease the US" department comes Subaru's worked-over Forester STi, a Japan-only model currently. While the company hasn't announced plans to bring the sport wagon to the states, a rumor that Subaru is ready to relent continues to get passed around like a funny cigarette. Now, with new super-sport wagons from rally rival Mitsubishi and Saab on the way, the time could be right for the 265hp, U.S.-spec 2.5-liter turbocharged H4 boxer powered Forester to break cover in the US. Anyone?

Related:
Cadillac, Saab to Get New Sport Wagons; Spy Photos: Mitsubishi Evo Sport Wagon [internal]