This week’s category titles for Canadian Car of the Year, station wagon and minivan, may suggest a tame bunch of vehicles, but take a second look at this group of international entries: performance cars with room for the kids, and the dog, must be a rising new trend..
As before, if you’d like to go public with you car thoughts or join in the judging action on these vehicles, you can do so on the Internet at the British Columbia Automobile Association web site. Send your comments about the contenders for this year’s Car of the Year, along with your name and location, to cars@bcaa.com. The Car of the Year Internet fun poll results will be published the following week, along with a selection of reader comments.
Station Wagons
BMW 325XiT: Although not the quickest wagon in this segment, the 325Xi got top marks for it’s excellent steering and handling qualities. The tailgate and rear window open separately and even with the rear seats up, the wagon has about 2.5 times more cargo space than the 3-series sedan. A 184-horsepower, 2.5-litre, in-line six-cylinder engine with the double-VANOS valve timing system provides the power and the Xi-Touring also has “Dynamic” all-wheel-drive.
Base Price: $43,600 As tested:$49,300 Braking (100 to 0 km/hour): 40.8 metres |
 Photo: Bob McHugh Click image to enlarge |
Mercedes-Benz C320 Wagon: Instead of a conventional ignition key Mercedes uses a programmable SmartKey that memorises driver settings for stuff like the power seat, steering wheel, rear view mirrors and the automatic climate control. And that’s just the start of the too many to mention high-tech features of the C-class wagon. It’s powered by a twin-spark/three-valve per cylinder 3.2-litre low emissions V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission with a “Touch Shift” manual mode is standard. Base Price: $52,850 As tested:$56,365 |
 Photo: Grant Yoxon Click image to enlarge |
Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon: Just as fast as the WRX sedan (reviewed last week), the wickedly quick all-wheel-drive WRX Wagon was easily the fastest vehicle in this group. Although it lacks the sedan’s flared fenders and wide track suspension, the fast-back wagon version, which could pass as a hatchback, is in my view a more appealing styling effort. Like the WRX sedan it’s powered by a high-output 2.0-litre turbo engine.
Base Price: $34,995 As tested:$34,995 Braking (100 to 0 km/hour): 41.8 metres |
 Photo: Grant Yoxon Click image to enlarge |
Subaru Outback Sport: This off-the-paved-road version of the Impreza wagon has a heavy-duty suspension that raises the body about 30-mm, for better ground clearance. Outback comes in a two-tone colour scheme and has a unique grille and wheels. Inside the rugged-look pholstery/trim is also exclusive to Outback and there’s a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area. Outback is powered by a 2.5-litre engine. Base Price: $27,395 As tested:$27,800 |
 Photo: Subaru Click image to enlarge |
Volkswagen Passat GLS Wagon: An early 2002 release the Passat has over 2,300 changes according to VW and it comes with longer coverage bumper-to-bumper warranty. A larger VW logo in the front grille and new clear glass (chip-resistant polycarbonate) headlight assembles are the most obvious visual differences. The super-smooth turbo-charged, 1.8 T engine can produce 170 horsepower and meets ultra-low emission requirements. And it has the best shifting manual transmission I’ve ever encountered in a front-drive car.
Base Price: $30,725 As tested:$33,335 Braking (100 to 0 km/hour): 41.5 metres |
 Photo: Grant Yoxon Click image to enlarge |
Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4M Wagon: The wagon has more rear seat headroom than the sedan, 2.8 cu-m (98 cu-ft) of cargo space and the GLX comes with one of the nicest leather interiors on the market. The 30-valve 2.8 litre V6 has variable intake valve timing and delivers 190-horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The all-wheel-drive (4-Motion) system uses an automatic-locking Torsen centre differential and can vary power distribution to either axle by up to 67-percent. Base Price: $44,480 As tested:$44,855 |
 Photo: Bob McHugh Click image to enlarge |
Minivans or MPV’s (multi-purpose vehicles)
Buick Rendezvous: The three-in-one (sedan, minivan and sport utility) vehicle is how GM describes the Buick Rendezvous with (Versatrak) all-wheel-drive. A more robust version of the traditional vertical-bar grille leads the first Buick non-sedan into the Canadian market. Big doors open wide and allow easy entry over low door sills. All seats have 3-point belts and there are side air bags up front. The middle row seats are removable and the fold-away third row seat (for two) space is surprisingly generous. Base Price: $35,295 As tested: $38,130 Acceleration (0 to 100 km/hour): 11.9 seconds (automatic) |
 Photo: Bob McHugh Click image to enlarge |
Honda Odyssey: Clearly tops in the performance tests, the changes to Odyssey are not immediately obvious, although it does have a remodelled front grill (with two crossbars) and redesigned amber/red tail-lights. Honda has pulled an additional 30 horsepower out of the 3.5 litre V6 engine, switched to a new 5-speed automatic transmission and improved fuel economy. Wider tires on 16-inch wheels hide new standard rear disc brakes. And the interior changes include a thicker steering wheel, more cup holders and utility hooks and a shorter transmission shift lever.
Base Price: $36,900 As tested: $36,900 Fuel Consumption (litres/100 km): 13.1/8.5 city/highway |
 Photo: Bob McHugh Click image to enlarge |
Kia Sedona LX: A first time entry in the minivan market, the Sedona, as you might expect from a Kia, offers extra value. Even the base LX-trim has air conditioning and power door locks, windows and mirrors. What did surprise was how well it performed, almost matching or matching the class leading Honda Odyssey in most of the performance testing. A 3.5-litre 195-horsepower V6 engine provides the power and it’s mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Base Price: $24,595 As tested: $24,595 Acceleration (0 to 100 km/hour): 10.8 seconds (automatic) |
 Photo: Bob McHugh Click image to enlarge |
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Volkswagen Eurovan GLS: VW has slashed the price and added more power and content to the German built Eurovan. The base price on GLS has been reduced by over $4,000 and it comes with traction control and “ESP”, a stability control system. It also has a better sound system, standard fog lights, the middle seats are removable and a new four-valve version of the 2.8-litre VR6 engine now can produce over 200-horsepower.
Base Price: $41,795 As tested: $43,910 Fuel Consumption (litres/100 km): 17.7/10.2 city/highway |
 Eurovan GLS (right) Photo: Grant Yoxon Click image to enlarge |
Volkswagen Eurovan MV: Designed to handle that over-night get-away, the tall bodied Eurovan MV comes with a fold-away table and a rear seat that converts into a bed. An optional “Weekender” package (only with this version) adds a pop-up roof that conceals an extra two-person bed, a refrigerator, window screens, and a second auxiliary battery. Base Price: $44,190 As tested: $49,570 Acceleration (0 to 100 km/hour): 13.0 seconds (automatic) |
 Photo: Bob McHugh Click image to enlarge |
