Much like petulant toddlers, American car buyers sometimes reject what’s good for them. Take station wagons, for example. They’re not only more flexible than sedans, with typically greater cargo area, but they’re also more fuel-efficient than most SUVs and more fun to drive than the average crossover, which has a higher center of gravity. And yet, because Americans can’t shake off the wagon’s fusty, familial, wood-paneled image from three decades ago, they’re still analogous to the teenaged nerds who are chosen last for dodgeball, while the rest of the world revels in the cool versatility that is the stylish, modern wagon. If you’re ready to adopt a global mindset about your next new car, dust off those old cobwebs and take a look at these top-ranked wagon choices.
About Vehix Buying Guide and JDPower.com Ratings
Vehix 2010 Wagon Buying Guides features ratings by J.D. Power.com. Learn more about the criteria and ratings.
There are three vehicles highlighted in the 2010 Wagon Buying Guide. All vehicles are listed in alphabetical order.
With its singular style and versatile packaging, the Chrysler PT Cruiser (view photos) made a huge splash when it was introduced – 10 years ago. That’s right, it’s been a full decade since these compact wagons arrived to much fanfare. Today, the PT Cruiser’s appearance seems more dated than retro hip, and we’re not crazy about the fact that it received poor crash test scores for side impacts. Still, owners seem impressed with this Chrysler’s quality according to J.D. Power and Associates. Then again, after 10 years of building the same car, you could easily expect the quality of construction to be the best in its class.
For its last year of production, the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser is available only in a Classic trim level, with a single powerplant: a rather lethargic150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder attached to a four-speed automatic. With the rear seats in use, the cargo area gives you 21.6 cubic feet of storage, while removing the rear seats provides 63 cubic feet of space. The PT Cruiser may no longer be one of the most popular vehicles around, but it’s still a quality choice in the wagon category.
- No. 1-ranked Compact Multi Activity Vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Survey (IQS)
- 19 city/24 fuel economy range
- MSRP: $18,275
Research the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
View the 2010 Chrysler lineup
