A station wagon is a passenger car with an enlarged trunk and a spacious interior. More recently, these cars have become a source of pride for motorists and the envy of others. However, many experts note that recently the demand for Japanese station wagons has been constantly falling. The reason for this is the sharp increase in the popularity of crossovers. Despite this tendency, passenger cars of increased capacity still have their loyal admirers and admirers. In addition, such machines are present in the popular model lines of many world brands.

Mazda 6

Mazda is considered one of the main models of the Mazda Motor Corporation. The car is positioned as a "large family car", in other words, the Mazda 6 belongs to the "D" class in terms of size classification. Concurrently, the Japanese station wagon is considered the "flagship" of the manufacturing company and at one time was the first "carrier" of the Zoom-Zoom design concept. An interesting fact is that to this day, the Mazda 6 continues to largely "set trends" in the modern automotive industry.

The history of the "Japanese six", which is considered the real "successor" of the "626" model, began back in 2002. It was during this time that she joined the ranks of the Japanese automaker. The appearance of the Mazda 6 is bright and stylish, extravagant and, despite its large dimensions, sporty. The car is distinguished by a convex hood protruding above the wings, a large slope of the windshield and rear window, as well as a high, but at the same time short stern.

Toyota Avensis

Toyota Avensis is a front-wheel drive large D-class family car. The car, presented on the world market, was announced in two body versions:

• 4-door sedan;
• 5-door station wagon.

The Japanese car combines many advantages: robust design, high safety and decent filling levels. Its main target audience is considered to be middle-aged family men, for whom the car is “a reflection of social status". The Avensis family, which was developed specifically for the European market, replaced the Toyota Carina E models from the end of 1997. Initially, the wagon was offered to consumers in three modifications. Having gone through two generations, in 2018 the release of this model was completed due to the loss of interest in it from the European audience.

Dynamic "car" Subaru Levorg

The Japanese station wagon "sportsman" "Subaru-Levorg" in September 2015 was first presented on the European market at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt. However, the history of this model began back in 2013. As of today, the cargo-passenger "Japanese" has gone on sale in European markets, although it has been available in its home country since the summer of 2014.

Outside, Subaru-Levorg stands out favorably with its original, stylish and even fit appearance, which resembles other models of the brand in its design. Many car enthusiasts believe that the front of the car looks "predatory". This is facilitated by:

• formidable look of lighting equipment with LED brackets of U-shaped running lights;
• radiator grill in the form of a trapezoid;
• a convex hood with a hump-air duct;
• aggressively styled stern (attractive lanterns, a diffuser mounted in the rear bumper, and a pair of exhaust "trunks").

The dynamic outlines of the Japanese station wagon with a long hood, heaped roof struts and "powerful" stampings give the car a sporty appearance.

Nissan cube

New and unusual design or a "refrigerator" on wheels? Many car enthusiasts call this car brand differently. Describe the most extravagant model from the Japanese automaker Nissan - Nissan Cube - "station wagon in a cube". In 2009, its admirers were pleased with its third version.

The appearance of "Nissan Cube" is a subtle harmony between frank minimalism, cubism and innate aestheticism. The second element of originality of the exterior of the car is the asymmetrical design of the rear side elements:

• the left side has a wide stance;
• the right side - with an increased glazing area.

The current Cube generation is built on a platform Nissan note, has dimensions: 253 cm wheelbase, 398 cm long, 169.5 cm wide and 165 cm high. You can see that the car is almost square in the last two parameters. With its appearance, the Nissan Cube evokes associations with many motorists with a children's drawing or even a simple toy. This "toy" character continues in the interior design.

Subaru exiga

This one of the finest Japanese station wagons has seven passenger seats. It appeared in the Japanese manufacturer's lineup in 2008. At the same time, Subaru-Exiga went on sale in the Japanese domestic market. The production version of this model was preceded by the concept of the same name. Him official premiere was part of the Tokyo Motor Show. In addition to Japan, the model is being implemented in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.

The Japanese station wagon "Exiga" is a 5-door car, which has the following body dimensions: 474 cm long, 166 cm high and 177.5 cm wide. The wheelbase of the car is 275 cm, and its ground clearance is no more than 15 cm. The total weight of the Subaru Exiga varies from 1480 to 1590 kg, depending on the modification.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a four-wheel drive sports car, a Japanese station wagon of the compact class "C-segment" according to the European classification. It combines the average level of comfort for daily trips and a truly "driving character". Its target audience is young, active and ambitious people who need a fast, but, at the same time, practical car.

The sports model Lancer first appeared on the global automotive market in 1992. The uniqueness of the body of the first Evolution generation, which is equipped with reinforced welded seams, should also be noted. The body is highly reliable and durable. The suspension is equipped with ball bearings, which make the ride easier. The total weight of the car has been significantly reduced due to the hood, which is made of aluminum.

As the ratings and statistics show, a great future awaits for Japanese station wagons with a right-hand drive and with a left-hand counterpart in the modern market - even brighter than now. The cost of Japanese station wagons can range from several hundred thousand to several million rubles. The price directly depends on the brand, model, production period and technical equipment of each specific machine.

One can argue for a long time about which car is called "reliable". Indeed, these days it is difficult to surprise someone with a mileage of 200 thousand kilometers. But out of several good cars you can always choose the best one. This review presents 10 of the most reliable japanese cars, which will easily cover 300,000 km and even more.

1. Honda Civic

The hybrid version of the Civic has had battery problems over the past few years. The petrol version has no such drawback and will serve for quite a long time. The previous generation model looked somewhat outdated, but in 2015 a new, improved version was released.

2. Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander is a car aimed at young people. But the model also attracted couples with children who do not want a minivan. And this is a great alternative. According to experts, the Highlander is an excellent SUV - comfortable, spacious, quiet. And the very best of the Highlander range are the V6 models.

3. Toyota Sienna

Rear doors Toyota Sienna easily move and then children can be safely seated on the spacious sofa. And if you fold it, then you can load a lot of luggage. No matter what you need to transport, this minivan is perfect. In addition, the car is all-wheel drive, which makes it even more useful. It will "live" for a long time and, in general, the Sienna is one of the "longest lived" minivans on the market.

4. Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V is not just another japanese crossover... This is a comfortable car with four-wheel drive, which is driven almost like a "passenger car". Like other Honda models, the CR-V can travel 300,000 kilometers.

5. Honda Accord

The Honda Accord receives many accolades for its spacious interior and good handling. And if the reliability of the car is at the forefront, then it is worth buying a 4-cylinder model. A 2.0 or 2.4 liter engine will run "almost forever" while conserving fuel.

6. Toyota Corolla

Drivers don't always need as much space in the cabin as they do in the spacious CR-V or Accord. The compact Toyota Corolla is perfect for them. The eleventh generation car looks much more noticeable than previous versions. And not only outside, but also inside. The interior is now much more stylish and comfortable than it used to be.

7. Honda Pilot

For large families who do not want to travel by minivan, a crossover is perfect Honda pilot... This four-wheel drive car can accommodate up to eight passengers.

8. Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey may not be the best minivan, but the model is worth looking into. The car can accommodate eight passengers, as well as all the luggage that they can take with them. The car is reliable, but this does not mean at all that it lags behind in other parameters. As for a minivan, it is very fun to ride.

9. Toyota Camry

Popular sedan every few years Toyota Camry undergoing modernization or facelift. And every time updated model demonstrates the high reliability inherent in the models of the Japanese company. Cars with 4-cylinder engines are especially good. They are not the most dynamic, but they can provide a mileage of up to 300 thousand kilometers.

10. Toyota Prius

When did the sales of the first Toyota PriusMany believed that the expensive battery would be a big problem for the owners of these cars. But toyota engineers we thought of everything perfectly and the car turned out to be very reliable. The actual mileage of Toyota Prius can reach 300 thousand kilometers and more.

Unlike the Japanese cars in this review, the rating can come in handy when choosing a car.

Most of the station wagon buyers are family people. Therefore, they expect reliability, practicality and good capacity from the car. Station wagons have always been positioned as with spacious salons, a good level of safety and large luggage compartments. This greatly increases the practicality of the car and makes it a preferred choice over a hatchback, sedan or liftback. In the rating of the best station wagon cars, we tried to select the most appropriate models for their original purpose. It is not necessarily an expensive car as many families have a limited budget. Buying a multi-million dollar car, which will also be expensive to maintain, is missing one of the key factors that characterize station wagons. Top 10 best station wagons.

Criterias of choice

By choosing best wagon 2019, several main criteria were taken into account:

• cost;
• spaciousness;
• reliability;
• profitability;
• operational cost.

This is what most clients rely on when they need a complete family station wagon.

The concept of the best wagon is rather controversial and conditional, since a number of criteria and requirements can be presented.

It is difficult to say which wagon would be better to choose, since the range is huge. And all cars are conventionally divided according to their price range. Someone can only afford a budget option, while others are ready to pay a large sum for the product of a leading automaker that produces luxury foreign cars.

This explains the approach to compiling the rating, which included representatives of different segments, ranging from very budgetary to almost elite cars. Thus, the top 10 station wagons are formed, which win in terms of reliability, availability, efficiency and other parameters. Here, each consumer must set their own priorities and make personal requirements for the car they buy.

This is the only way to answer oneself to the question of which station wagon will be better and more correct to choose in a particular situation.

When determining which station wagon is better to buy for a family, the main points are:

1. Roominess. This is both the passenger compartment space and the luggage space. The larger the trunk, the higher the position of the car as a result.
2. Profitability. Here we are talking about the level of fuel consumption. Given the current fuel prices, big family it is important that the car can drive a maximum of kilometers on the minimum amount of fuel.
3. Operational cost. This amount moneyrequired to maintain the station wagon. This includes the cost of fuel, consumables for routine maintenance, seasonal tire changes, etc. The less money is spent on maintaining a car, the better wagon and above its position in the rating.
4. Reliability. Not the least role is played by the reliability rating of station wagons, which predetermines the possible service life of the machine, talks about typical breakdowns and the frequency with which owners contact the service.

The logic behind choosing a practical family wagon is simple. The less time and effort we spend on maintenance and service, and the more advantages a car is ready to provide to its owner, the higher the probability of getting into the top 10 best station wagons.

Leading car manufacturers

It is difficult to release really the best station wagon at the present time, because there is huge competition on the market, where each car company is ready to offer its own product.

Auto companies strive to develop, offering more and more quality and modern cars... And since the body type in question is in great demand, everyone wants to claim the title of the best station wagon. This automatically raises sales and positions the manufacturer as a top manufacturer on the world stage.

The top includes five-door cars with an increased size of the luggage compartment. The trunk does not break records for its spaciousness everywhere, but the cars on the final list for other objective reasons deserve to be here.

Since it is almost impossible to name one best station wagon in 2019, each car will receive its own specific title and nomination.

The current top 10 station wagons are represented by the following car companies:

• Mazda;
• Hyundai;
• Ford;
• Skoda;
• Renault;
• Volvo;
• Mercedes;
• Audi;
• Lada.

Now it's worth taking a look at each model representing these automakers separately. Let's determine the reasons why these particular cars hit the final top and are positioned as the best station wagons of the current year.

According to many experts and car owners themselves, it is this car of the Japanese automaker that deservedly leads the rating of Japanese station wagons. Although the Mazda 6 Wagon can be given a victory in a number of other nominations. Adequate price, high quality The build and reliability of the car make the Mazda 6 station wagon a top choice for many buyers.

The model has existed since 2002. It has been since that time that the leading Japanese automaker has been producing the Mazda 6 in several bodywork variations. During its existence, the car has gone through several generational changes.

But it is the last modification that makes you talk a lot and often about yourself. The car attracts with its sporty, somewhat aggressive, and at the same time elegant appearance. But it's not just the beautiful body that makes the car a favorite.

In the case of the Mazda 6 Wagon, we are talking about a mid-size station wagon, which provides a fairly impressive luggage compartment and a spacious cabin. Reliable and dynamic engines are installed under the hood, guaranteeing not only good acceleration, but also excellent performance on fuel economy.

The statistics of calls to the car service also speaks in favor of the Japanese station wagon Mazda 6 Wagon. This is due to the initially high build quality, the use of good materials and a well thought out design. Mazda 6 Wagon allows you to enjoy not only the exterior, but also the handling, as well as rides in the passenger seats in front and on the spacious sofa in the back.

Mazda 6 Wagon is actively chosen by the younger generation and young families. Mazda has managed to change the idea of \u200b\u200ba modern station wagon.

If we talk about the best station wagons, then among the cars of 2019, a Korean development from Hyundai takes a well-deserved place among cars in this body type.

The machine takes its high place in the market due to the excellent combination of cost and quality. This car cannot be attributed to, since the purchase of the Hyundai i40 will have to spend at least 1 million rubles. But the cost fully justifies itself. Given the current market situation, it is difficult to find a station wagon of this level even for such a price.

Korean cars in station wagon, hatchback and sedan bodies are usually perceived as rather compact and not very spacious. But in the case of the i40, we really have good car with a spacious trunk of 533 liters, which turns into a loading platform for 1719 liters, you just have to lower the backrests of the rear row.

There are several possible engines hiding under the hood of a family station wagon from Korea. Potential buyers should pay particular attention to the 2.0-liter version, which will provide excellent dynamics in combination with low fuel consumption. Automatic transmissions running in tandem with the motor do not cause any complaints, they change gears quickly and without delay.

Externally, the Hyundai i40 is made in the current corporate style of the Korean automaker.

There are a number of reasons why Hyundai's i40 made it to the top 10 in 2019. And even there are reasons to enter the top 5. It all depends on what criteria to choose a car.

The only drawback is the rather low ground clearance. Here it is only 147 millimeters. But since we are talking about an urban family station wagon, there is no need to overcome off-road conditions in such a car. And therefore the disadvantage is largely conditional.

Among the top 10 inexpensive modern station wagons, it is definitely worth giving a place to a direct competitor to the previous car. Kia is directly collaborating and competing for leadership not only in the domestic South Korean market, but also in the international arena.

But experts and car owners are still slightly ahead in the category of the best korean station wagons preferred the development of Kia. Their Ceed CB has similar technical characteristics, the same reliable bodywork and a decent price-performance ratio.

Kia Ceed SW is in great demand in the markets in Europe, Russia and the CIS countries. There are more than enough reasons for this.

The car owner has at his disposal roomy trunk 528 liters when raised rear seats... But if the rear sofa is lowered, a flat and spacious loading area of \u200b\u200b1642 liters is formed. This is slightly less than the Hyundai i40.

There is also no need to spend big money on a Kia Ceed station wagon. A car, even in a medium configuration, is available at a price of about 1 million rubles. There are also top modifications, but they don't cost more than 1.5 million. Therefore, the Kia Ceed is rightly positioned as a station wagon in the budget price segment. And deservedly included in the rating, which contains the best station wagons in terms of reliability, quality and cost.

Kia is pleasantly pleased even with the basic configuration. In the simplest version of their Ceed SW station wagon, the buyer gets a factory car alarm, a multifunction steering wheel, full power accessories, an economical but high-spirited engine, a set of airbags, etc.

Plus, one cannot fail to note the level of efficiency. On average, a Korean car company station wagon consumes about 7 liters on a combined cycle. In the city, consumption is slightly higher, but on the highway, the motors show themselves just fine, sometimes lowering the consumption even below the 5-liter mark.

If we talk about the best station wagons, then the rating must necessarily include at least one automaker from the United States. In many ways, it was in the North American region that the fashion for family station wagons arose, where they were elevated into a special category of vehicles.

Manufacturers from the USA continue to delight with high-quality and worthy developments now. One of the striking examples of such cars are station wagons under the name Ford focus... These cars have been produced for a long time.

Relatively recently, a new generation of the model was released, which is assembled on the territory of the Russian Federation. A magnificent machine in many respects, which claims to be the leader among inexpensive cars in the station wagon. At the same time Focus offers high quality and excellent technical characteristics.

The peculiarity of the Ford Focus is that the car looks much more expensive than it actually costs. And this is a great advantage, since the Focus creates the effect of an expensive and elite station wagon, although in fact it requires spending about 1-1.5 million rubles on its purchase. Really low price for what the consumer gets.

Ford Focus feels excellent in the budget segment, and it does not see any reason to rise to a higher level. Not all of the best station wagons in the more expensive category can compete with this model. Yes, this is not the cheapest car option, but price policy Ford has one of the exemplary. The consumer clearly understands what he is paying for.

In the simplest configuration, the Focus is equipped with a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 105 horse power... The engine is extremely economical and quite playful. For measured operation in the city and when using the car as a family station wagon, even these 105 horses are quite enough. If you want dynamics, there are much more serious power units in the lineup, with a capacity of about 200 horsepower.

TO strengths Ford Focus station wagon is excellent appearance, build quality, rich stuffing even in the initial configurations and. It is one of the best-selling station wagons in Russia and an extremely popular car in Europe.

If you are picking from a list of the best new station wagons that are all-wheel drive and inexpensive, then this Czech car with German roots should top your personal ranking.

The direct link with Volkswagen gives Skoda a number of advantages. Previously, Skoda cars were positioned as a cheaper alternative to the Volksagen line. But recently Skoda has objectively risen in price, which still did not affect sales. Cars remain in demand and popular.

The Octavia Combi is based on the latest generation Octavia sedan. The new generation attracts with its appearance, build quality, technical characteristics and competent fuel consumption.

Skoda managed to equip the station wagon with both economical and dynamic engines. The basic equipment is not as rich as that of the same Ford Focus, but the sales advantage is still on the side of the Czech car.

Skoda Octavia The Combi is perceived as an exemplary family estate. This is a loud, but largely justified status for this car. The car has a spacious interior, one of the largest trunks in its class, discreet design, thoughtful and ergonomic interior. It is also worth noting the presence of all-wheel drive (not in all trim levels) and impressive ground clearance.

And if someone wants to combine a family station wagon with a daring character, sporty parameters and excellent dynamics, there is always the opportunity to purchase the Octavia Combi in the RS modification.

If you are looking for the cheapest station wagon, but with a high level of reliability, then consider that you have already found it.

Updated station wagon based on Renault Logan pleasantly pleased consumers in the new year. The car received an improved appearance, improved technical characteristics and a slightly revised interior.

The MCV version is perfect for those who need a roomy and spacious family station wagon with a large luggage compartment, but who are significantly limited in terms of the budget. Logan MCV is attractive even in the aftermarket. Renault has managed to create a reliable, largely trouble-free car with a minimum number of calls to a car service with serious malfunctions.

This French station wagon provides several key benefits... Namely:

• low cost;
• high level of reliability;
• reliability;
• spacious luggage compartment;
• spacious salon;
• high ground clearance;
• low fuel consumption;
• cheap service.

Logan MCV adequately represents its segment, and deserves high positions in the rating. And this is probably the best all-rounder among budget models. This is the opinion of the experts, and many motorists agree with them. due to the Quattro system, responsive motors, a spacious interior and a solid luggage compartment in terms of its capacity.

If it weren't for the high price tag, the Audi A4 Allroad would have easily claimed the title of the best all-wheel drive station wagon in the world.

The Swedish company Volvo has always positioned itself as a manufacturer of family cars. No wonder their station wagons were once the most popular, safe and reliable in the world.

The company's complex history forced me to retire for a while. But this only gave an impetus to return with renewed vigor.

Currently, one of the best station wagons in the world is rightfully considered the Volvo B90. The car has impressive dimensions, a spacious interior, a large trunk of 1520 liters (with folded seats) and simply the highest level of finish and assembly.

It should be understood that we are talking about an elite station wagon, the cost of which easily exceeds the mark of 3 million rubles. And not even for the richest package. But this is Volvo. Here the consumer understands what he pays for and why these cars are so expensive.

A car can only be bought for one appearance. Although here Mercedes is ready to offer much more.

If you choose the best station wagon among domestic cars, then the undisputed winner will be Lada largus... In fact, this is the same Renault Logan MTsV, but with a different nameplate and slightly changed appearance.

Largus cannot claim to be in the top 10 among the world station wagons, but if you choose among budget models presented in Russia, then here Lada Largus will impose a serious struggle on more venerable representatives of the segment.

The criteria for choosing a car and the affordable budget for buying a family five-door station wagon are different for everyone. It doesn't allow me to name one the best car... But you can make a summary rating, which includes cars of different categories and levels.

With a huge assortment of the market, you should safely highlight the obvious favorites and outsiders. If you are interested in buying a station wagon, then first of all you should pay attention to the presented top 10 models. Each of them is good in its own way, has a number of advantages and is ahead of the competition. The rating includes both representatives of the elite category and very budget models that offer a number of advantages in price.

You just have to make a choice and make a final decision. But remember that the market situation is changing rapidly, and the top 10 will certainly look completely different in a year.

This class of cars is still quite young - it is only two decades old. The Japanese from Subaru were the first who thought of increasing the ground clearance of the all-wheel drive station wagon and adding a protective body kit to it. The Swedes from Volvo followed behind. For some time they were brewed in their own juice, and only recently other manufacturers have entered this segment. Most fresh offers - "Volkswagen Passat Oltrek" and "Opel-Insignia Tourer", which prompted us to assemble today's company.

YOUNG CAREER

However, "Insignia Country Tourer" is not so upbeat: its ground clearance is modest against the background of opponents 145 mm. The off-road image is emphasized only by the plastic body kit. The build quality alarmed - in the huge gap in the tailgate on the go, like a vacuum cleaner, it sucks snow. It is undignified somehow!

The interior is also imperfect: the cover of the compartment with the ashtray and the cigarette lighter gave in only from the third time, and got back up from the fifth. Or is it not a puncture at all, but a peculiar way of fighting smoking? The motor starts up and is muffled with a button - but why then a key with a switch-off sting? However, we did not find any other equally obvious jambs and, on the contrary, were glad. The interior of "Insignia" after last year's restyling has become even more beautiful and sound quality. Its most comfortable, with the adjustment of everything and all the relief chairs completely captivated. I would like to especially praise the retractable hamstring bolsters, which brightened up a long trip. It is convenient to control the heating and ventilation of the seats thanks to the touch buttons. But the steering wheel cut from the bottom along the chord did not like the excessive puffiness of the rim.

station wagons 4 108–109

Visibility is unimportant: the mirrors are miniature, and little is visible in the tiny rear window. Without a rear-view camera, it would have been very difficult. In general, there is a lot of advanced equipment on board the Insignia. In particular, a system that reads road signs; heated steering wheel; parking assistant; and active cruise control, which allows you to adjust the distance to the vehicle in front.

There are only three scales on the dashboard, and in the center there is a place ... no, not even a monitor, but a giant information board. Another impressive screen is on the center console. You can display data on it both with buttons and with the help of a touchpad (as it turned out, it is not an easy task). In general, the menu here is illogical and confusing. But the biggest disappointment is the back sofa. Closely! There is a minimum of headroom, the place for the feet is also back to back. But the dimensions of the car are oh-so: the length of the Country Tourer is noticeably ahead of its competitors - almost 5 meters.

But on the move "Opel" immediately pleased with the ease to rise. He performs any team accurately and quickly - like a young careerist. The steering wheel is precise and unmistakable (albeit light when turning). In bends, the Country Tourer dives into the hunt and stands firmly on its feet. The chassis is tuned and adjusted as it should - this is evidenced by the rare inclusion in the process of the stabilization system, which enters the battle at the very last moment, allowing the driver to misbehave in turns. A very gambling car! If you turn off ESP, it remains clear and safe to slide - I like that character.

I liked the 163-horsepower turbo diesel with good traction and readiness for nimble accelerations even from 100 km / h. The automatic transmission also knows its business - there was no desire to switch to manual shifting. Likewise, I barely made use of the Sport and Tour settings to change the stiffness of the shock absorbers. The difference between these positions is almost imperceptible. In any of them, Opel does not like pits, letting tangible blows into the cabin. But on smooth asphalt - a fairy tale. No squabbles, no wagging, you go and rejoice.

In general, it turned out to be a gambling car for driving on high-quality asphalt. But if you need a station wagon with off-road properties, it is better to bypass the Country Tourer. After all, the definition of "careerist" in the case of Insignia Country Tourer comes from the noun "career", not "career".

Purists and Puritans

Along with Volvo-XC70, Outback can be safely ranked among the founders of the segment. The first generation of the model appeared in the mid-1990s and immediately became popular. So much so that conventional wagons based on Legacy are in noticeably less demand. For example, we don't even offer them. Subaru's design makes a serious impression. One glance is enough to understand: in front of you is a dumpy car that will not be scared off-road. Only one clearance of 205 mm (more than many crossovers) is worth something.

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

Salon "Outback" seems puritanical against the background of competitors. Stone plastic, inexpensive aluminum inserts and rough leather on seats in a car more expensive than a million and a half look unconvincing. The interior is divided by color into two levels: the top is in dark colors, the bottom is in light ones. It looks smart, but too impractical - the car is almost new, and the armrests are already untidy gray. In general, the interior turned out to be comfortable. Unpretentious but comfortable chairs, visual instruments, perfect grip on the steering wheel, large and logically located buttons on the center console. Standard visibility - everything is visible in all directions. But after the excursion to the salons of the opponents, there is a feeling that the buyer of the Outback has been cheated - the interior is devoid of a good part of everything that has long become customary on models of this level. Where are all kinds of assistants and assistants, where, in the end, is the steering wheel heated ?! Of the equipment, only the navigator. Yes, and he does not work so well: he does not know new interchanges, he recalculates the route for an extremely long time, makes mistakes with accents and speaks with a Polish-Czech accent: ring, prospect, etc. Well, okay, subarists are a specific people, they pay so much attention do not pay.

Through fingers, apparently, they look at the high noise level: in the cabin, even at 80 km / h, the parties of the power unit and tires are heard. Loud pieces of ice that have come off the road are drumming loudly on the arches - these sounds reminded me of an energetic xylophone playing. "Outback" is the only one in the test in which you have to raise your voice at 100 km / h. Suspensions regularly collect all the little things on the road, but they stoically withstand large irregularities - it never came to a breakdown. Outside the asphalt, the "Japanese" is also good: on the virgin soil he rowes much more confidently than the rest of the trio.

Driving stability is what you expect from a Subaru. And it is, but only on an even surface. If there are longitudinal waves on the road, and you want to rebuild, be prepared for an unpleasant yaw. And in the corners on the packed snow, the Japanese station wagon slips ahead of its European rivals.

The stabilization system is triggered early and abruptly. It can be turned off, but after a minute of sliding and slipping on a closed fenced area, it smelled of fried - it seems that the variator did not like the active driving.

By the way, with quiet driving, there are no questions about the transmission. Acceleration is smooth, smooth, predictable and smooth. It will not work to jump forward from a hundred - the car will calmly and reliably pick up speed, nothing more. You can spur it on with paddle shifters, but you still can't keep up with your rivals. The atmospheric gasoline boxer is significantly inferior to turbocharged competitors in terms of torque. And its power is not amazing - 167 hp. Nowadays, it is customary to remove more from 2.5 liters of working volume. But in the end "Outback" leaves a very pleasant impression: an honest "analog" car for different roads. Purists will be satisfied!

SERIAL NUMBER

You look at it and wonder: is it an ordinary Passat station wagon or its elevated version, the Oltrek? The differences are really small, so not everyone will be able to figure it out right away. Foltz does not have a real protective body kit, and the ground clearance is not increased much - it does not strike the eye.

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

He sat in the salon - and seemed to be in the parental home. Full order reigns here, everything is familiar and at hand. The logic and ease of use of the main controls are the highest. The interior design is uncluttered and extremely laconic. Boring? But nothing hurts the eyes. Yes, and such a salon will not become obsolete soon. The build quality is traditionally high, although the materials are not as solid as in Volvo (on the level of Opel).

The fit is impeccable. The chairs offer a good compromise between rigidity and comfort. True, they are covered with rather modest-looking leather: a quick glance is enough to understand - inexpensive. Visibility could be better: the side mirrors are frankly small. The rear sofa is also far from champion - tall passengers complain about the lack of knee room; the imposing floor tunnel does not add any optimism.

But I was delighted with the prudence and attention to detail typical for cars from Wolfsburg: the glove compartment (by the way, small in size) is lined with velvet, door pockets - too, trays and cup holders are rubberized. Envy competitors! Volkswagen is also good in terms of sound insulation: the engine is barely audible, the road seems to be turned off too. Against this background, puzzled "crickets" chirping somewhere in the right door and in the trunk. But the run of "Oltrek" is less than 11,000 km. Isn't the salon a bit early "talking"?

With a 2-liter 210-horsepower turbo engine, the Passat easily leaves its rivals - in terms of dynamics, it is in a completely different league. What from a place, what from city speeds shoots, as if released from a sling. Especially if the DSG box is switched to sport mode. I do not exclude that some of the speed potential of "Oltrak" will seem even excessive. But you have to put up with this - versions with more weak engine the company from Wolfsburg does not supply Russia.

Driving performance is typical of a Volkswagen. Sharp, informative steering wheel, dense suspensions that do not bother the crew with either roll or swing. But on the bumps it shakes noticeably, a couple of times it came to breakdowns. The Passat enters the corners not as recklessly as the Opel, and is perceived as a little more ponderous and inert. But it stably stands on the arc and does not break off the intended trajectory even when provoked by the accelerator (within reason, of course).

It's a good ... no, a great compromise between sportiness and comfort. Between the dirt road and the asphalt. In addition, Oltrek has surpassed its opponents in practicality. Only one retractable hitch is worth something. But to win the test, the car lacked the freshness and modern equipment that Volvo and Opel flaunted. Rumor has it that a new generation of "Passat" will be shown within a year. Then competitors will have a hard time!

A TRAVELING MOOD

The elevated station wagon from Volvo, along with the Outback, belongs to the founders of this class. For the first time, the Swedes appeared here back in the 1990s. The most interesting thing is that since then the model, although two generations have already changed, has generally retained its appearance and is absolutely recognizable: an angular suitcase-like body with a vertical tailgate and columns of lamps is difficult to confuse with others.

A second in the salon is enough to understand that Volvo is the most luxurious in our quartet. The quality of the finish is noticeably higher than that of competitors: expensive plastics wrapped in a chic light brown perforated leather chair, a console decorated with real aluminum. Premium!

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

The Swedish station wagon has been produced for almost seven years, but thanks to frequent upgrades in the abundance of modern electronics, it will give odds to much more recent rivals. Here you have a fully digital instrument panel (the driver can choose one of three options for its design), and a tracking system for blind spots (BLIS), and adaptive cruise control. The XC70 will automatically brake in front of a pedestrian if the driver is distracted - something no other quartet can do that. Another Volvo "trick" is the Oncoll system, which allows you to request assistance in an emergency. But I criticize the control of the multimedia system "Sensus": it makes you distract from the road. During the test, I was not used to its features. Letting go of the hairpin and the crowded small buttons on the console - it's problematic to press the right one on the fly.

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

The second row does not surprise with spaciousness (although there is no need to talk about tightness). If not for this, the living conditions of the rear passengers would be called paradise. Sitting softly and comfortably, unlike other cars, a heated sofa is provided. But the main thing is multimedia with color screens built into the front headrests. Not every business sedan has one.

Punctures? How without them! Firstly, the front seats of the "Swede" do not differ in a successful profile - they press in the shoulder blades, so much so that after half an hour the back begins to ask for a warm-up. Secondly, doors open very tightly in 20-degree frost. Strange for a northern car, isn't it?

Each of our test group confidently called Volvo the most comfortable of the whole quartet. The XC70 floats along the road like an airship - soft and silent. The chassis with electronically controlled shock absorbers serenely swallows bumps like in comfortable modeand in sports. And only in Advanced bumps begin to crawl out, but the car still does not become uncomfortable. The five-cylinder turbodiesel drives easily and confidently. By the way, we also had a 163-strong version at our disposal. Recently, this engine was equipped with a new control unit, which increased the power to 181 hp.

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

On the road with gentle bends, the Volvo behaves approximately, but in sharp bends, understeer is annoying. Here the XC70 begins to lag behind the German station wagons. And the stabilization system, which the Swedes call DSTC, comes into play too early, hobbing the car in seemingly trifling situations. Let me, I think, will turn it off: I look for a button - and I don't find it. It turns out that you can get rid of the "collar" only through the on-board computer menu. I put a tick in front of the corresponding item, and the DSTC Sport mode indicator on the instrument panel lights up. That is, it cannot be completely turned off; it will only be possible to move the response threshold. Still it got better! The car acquired a relaxed, somewhat adventurous character, stopped protesting against active driving. The degree of emotions has increased by an order of magnitude, although it is still far from the level of Insignia. In addition, to go fast, you have to strain, whereas in Opel it seems to happen by itself.

In general, XC70 only once again confirmed its reputation. A sedate and comfortable car for a successful person who sometimes does not mind driving outside the asphalt - a decent ground clearance allows this. The Outback feels even more confident on the off-road, but it lacks modern equipment. In addition, it is inferior to rivals in decoration and sound insulation. "Oltrek" and to an even greater extent "Country Tourer" are a completely different field of berries. Do not be fooled - these are ordinary passenger wagons, which it is better not to leave good roads.

ABOUT WALKING

Rivals with the makings of off-road vehicles: Opel Insignia Country Tourer, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70.

The off-road ambitions of the test participants are demonstrated by protective plastic body kits, backed up by all-wheel drive. Opel, Volkswagen and Volvo have at their disposal an automatic Haldex clutch with active torque distribution. In modifications with the Subaru CVT, the ACT AWD system is used, which is similar in principle of operation.

We checked the real capabilities of cars in deep snow... The hardest part was Opel... Due to the light clearance of 145 mm, it constantly scrapes with the bottom - and it will get stuck. The situation is aggravated by a long and low nose - the angle of entry for Insignia is only 14.2º versus 18-19º for competitors. Although the four-wheel drive had time to push the car out before it hung on its belly, it is scary to drive outside the rolled track.

Volkswagenhaving a ground clearance of 160 mm, he coped with off-road conditions easier - you can move more confidently and not be afraid of getting stuck. In addition, to help the driver there is an off-road mode that changes the response of the gas pedal, as well as the algorithms for the transmission and stabilization system. Plus up and down assistance system.

Volvo in terms of off-road talents, he is not averse to competing with Subaru - a clearance of 200 mm contributes to this. Advantages of the "Swede" - adjustable suspension stiffness and downhill assistance; the disadvantage is the all-wheel drive algorithm, striving to transfer too much moment to the rear axle and put the car across the road.

Four-wheel drive station wagons are a rather niche market segment, however, one should not forget that in many respects it was they who became a transitional link between purely asphalt cars and today's mega-popular crossovers. Be that as it may, all-terrain station wagons remain loyal fans, because such cars have their own undoubted advantages. Autonews of the Day asked the experts which models are the best on the used car market now. We bring the corresponding TOP-5 all-wheel drive station wagons to your attention.

Skoda Octavia Scout. Skoda Photos

5th place - Skoda Octavia Scout

The Octavia model itself is a very solid and reliable car, so it is not surprising that the version in the person of an all-terrain station wagon is also excellent. The car differs from the usual "car" more high clearance, reduced overhangs, reinforced suspension, practical unpainted bumpers and an all-wheel drive system.

According to experts, the optimal combination is a 1.8-liter turbo engine and a manual 6-speed gearbox. The engine pulls well from low revs, and the gearbox is reliable and precise.

Audi Allroad. Audi Photos

4th place - Audi Allroad

At one time, this "German" became one of the first mass cross-wagons premium segment... Even the first generation cars are still very technologically advanced and technologically advanced. The Allroad has a very corrosion-resistant body thanks to galvanizing, so there are few rotten copies on the market. Under the hood, the most common 2.7-liter turbocharged engine.

Both gearboxes fitted to the Audi Allroad are reliable when serviced. Signature quattro all-wheel drive works great on different types coatings, from dry asphalt to snow and ice.

Toyota Caldina. Toyota Photos

3rd place - Toyota Caldina

The third generation of the Japanese all-wheel drive station wagon was intended only for the domestic market, but this did not prevent Kaldina from gaining distribution in Russia, especially in the Far East region. By and large, only the right wheel can be attributed to the minuses of the car.

As for the rest, the "Japanese" has earned the title of a reliable and practical car, which, moreover, can drive very dynamically with the most powerful of the three available engines. As a checkpoint there is only an uncontested "automatic", which works very well and does not throw up any special problems.

Volvo XC70. Photos Volvo

2nd place - Volvo XC70

The first generation of the Swedish cross-wagon today has become quite affordable, without losing its resource. Recall that the XC70 was offered only with top-end motors and in "fat" trim levels, so the new cost a lot. When choosing a suitable instance on the secondary, it is better to give preference to restyled versions, which have a more reliable all-wheel drive implementation scheme.

The motors and transmissions of the Volvo XC70 are quite reliable, but they like timely service from qualified specialists. The car feels good on light off-road thanks to decent ground clearance and unpainted bumpers.

Subaru Outback. Subaru Photos

1st place - Subaru Outback

Perhaps, the best option an all-wheel drive station wagon, on which you can grab well both on asphalt and on light off-road. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost as the Outback is one of the most expensive on our list. Under the hood of the car, you can most often find a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with 165 hp. (173 hp after restyling).

The gearboxes used with it are reliable and durable, and the "mechanics" also have a lower gear. Coupled with permanent all-wheel drive, this makes it possible to feel at ease on the "intersection". The Subaru Outback has a strong body, durable suspension, so the car is not afraid of domestic roads.

Of course, full-fledged SUVs all-wheel drive station wagons you cannot name, however, as an alternative to crossovers, they have a right to exist.