The other day I went to the library during lunch hour. Parked right behind my wagon I found another wagon, a late-model Jetta. I enjoy comparing and contrasting cars parked together (I posted a similar Accord/Crown Vic piece a couple of months ago), so naturally I was interested enough to shoot a few pics of my car and its neighbor. Since station wagons are a dying breed here in the States, I thought it would be interesting to compare two of the last ones available in the U.S. market. You might have noticed my wagon in the background of many of my posts, but I think this is its actual CC debut.
It struck me how much the current Jetta resembles the V50, which debuted in Europe in 2004 and in the States the following model year. (The P2-chassis S40 sedan had debuted a bit earlier, as a “2004.5” model.) Where the Volvo has a speedboat-like prow (shared with its C30, S40 and C70 sibs), the Vee Dub presents a happier visage–it looks like it’s actually smiling. In keeping with its Swedish maker’s heritage, my wagon’s nose is a bit more conservative. The Volvo does have a more wagon-like rear end, with a properly rectangular quarter window. In comparison, the Jetta has a slightly shorter rear deck and less glass area; in fact, its rear quarter window is even smaller than the rear door glass, as you can see in the side shot at the top.
Sadly, the V50 was absent from Volvo’s U.S. lineup after 2011, although it remains available in Europe. But for those of you who want a bit of space and can’t see themselves in an SUV or CUV, the Jetta is available, in both gas- and diesel-engine flavors, for those willing to brave the sometimes less-than- congenial VW dealership experience. Hail the modern station wagon–at least, as still exists on our shores. I and many others mourn the loss of wagons, but the fact is that we are a minority, judging from all the tippy-toed CUV’s sharing our roads. Time marches on…
Tom,
I too, miss the plethora of wagons on our shores, and am especially irked that Ford didn’t offer the Fusion wagon alongside the sedan when the 2013 redesign came out. I would bet money that they’d sell.
Who knows, maybe they’ll introduce it in the near future. I remember reading an article about Ford executives being surprised at the take rate of Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks. Maybe they’ll have a change of heart, because the customers are out there.
A couple years back Ford offered a two-door version Fusion wagon concept that was simply stunning. Can’t remember the name of it off-hand though remember it was a surfer special California some-sort. Always loved the thought of the two-door wagon, even those rare Pinto two-door wagons with the rear moon window from the ’70s.
Sounds like the Ford Futura Sprint GT/A wagon from the team at Car & Driver! http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2006-ford-futura-sprint-gt-a-wagon-road-test
Having lived in the land of wagons (UK) for three months now, it’ll be a shock to arrive back in wagon-less Canada on Monday. Some of my favorites that I wish we could get back home: the new Passat wagon, the new 5 Series wagon, and the surprisingly sharp Peugeot 508 estate. My favorite of all though is the Volvo V70, formerly available on North American shores, but never with the ultimate Euro-combo that’s fairly common here: diesel, stick shift, and an R-design option package.
Last March, in Oxford U.K., I rented a Volvo V60 estate with the D5 diesel. Never in my life have I so wanted to bring home my rental car!! 315 ft/lbs from 1400 – 3000 rpm, 6-speed stick, Volvo interior, start/stop feature. It averaged 39 miles to the Imperial gallon, and I was PLAYING with it. 4 people aboard with luggage. Great car! Please, Volvo, PLEASE?!
I would LOVE for GM to bring over the Cruze wagon with the soon-to-be-released diesel engine and a 6 speed manual. I’m sure they won’t but it would make a great alternative to a Jetta TDI here
The Cruze wagon has just been launched in Australia, but is imported from South Korea (the hatch & sedan are now assembled here), but in very limited trims and the standard petrol engine only (no 1.4T or diesel). Funnily enough, the front sheetmetal is shipped from Australia to be fitted on the line in Korea, so the cars will match the facelifted Australian models.
I’d like to see Mazda bring the 6 wagon back to the US.
I love my raised wagon, it gets us just about anywhere and never been stuck. My favorite design feature of the Outback (until the current generation) is the wrap around glass (tinted on mine).
Now if Ford were to bring the Fusion wagon, I’d be dumping the new Accord in a heartbeat. And maybe the Outback as we’re thinking of going to 1 vehicle for the family.
I guess the similarities is because they’re both “midsize European wagon”. I guess that’s how European wagon buyers like their vehicle. They’re in the US as an afterthought, I doubt there were much US input in their design.
Hm, that thought makes them somehow even more attractive to me, a wagon fan.
That’s a sharp V50, Tom. My favorite color too.
I guess the general shape is similar at a glance, but I don’t think they really look anything alike. I don’t think one would ever be confused for the other.
+1
I’m guessing it’s living in the “land of the wagon” that does it, but these look very different to me. I always see strong similarities between the V50 and the (related) Focus estate however:
I also would like to see more station wagons like the Mazda 6 wagon available in the US. Most of the SUVs are too high and massive. I am currently driving a 01 Saturn LS300 wagon. Not sure what I would replace it with.
Wagon love! My daily drivers are a 2005 Volvo V70R and a 1997 Subaru Outback. Between the two there’s no chore I can’t tackle
Love my 2007 V70 wagon and since I am retired, living in California, maybe it is the last car I will ever need.
I work at a Volvo dealer P2 anything is not the best Volvo has or is making thats for sure. Sunroofs like to leak on these and they were heavy over priced and smallish on the inside. The newish XC60 has impressed me and me glad they no longer make S40 or V50’s. I do however mourn the loss of the V70 which I do enjoy, but sad to say no more wagons from Volvo as people are buying up XC60’s like crazy. As far as saying CUV’s are top heavy or tip over prone I disagree wholeheartedly, as I find the XC60 to be much more athletic feeling then any S40 I have driven and have you driven a XC60 R Design? Wow its like its on rails it handles corners very nicely.
I had an XC60 as a loaner about a year ago. Nice car and very comfy, but too big and too tall for my taste. Very heavy, too; my car is about 3600 lb, while the XC60 is 4300. I prefer cars, with car-like ride height.
I’ve had my wagon for almost six years and the moonroof has never leaked. Guess I got a good one!
My mom loves her V50 as much as you love yours, Tom. But hers is the T5. She didn’t want an SUV and liked the smaller size compared to her 98 V70 that until the V50 was her favorite car.