What makes a wagon superior to a small SUV?

[elee532]

Came across the folloing comment from from a reviewer of the Rogue at Car and Driver... "However, I’m down on small SUVs because no matter how well they handle or how dramatically they are styled, they still look and drive like tall wagons. Everyone tells you Americans don’t buy wagons anymore, but that’s not true. They just buy the inferior, taller variety."

So, what makes a wagon superior to a small SUV?

[EddNog]

The lower profile reduces aerodynamic drag and in turn improves average fuel economy. They also don't have the nasty habit of making it very difficult for people in regular passenger cars to see past your road block of a vehicle due to its height. I know when I used to drive my Z it was a serious pain in the *** dealing with minivans, SUVs and trucks because I couldn't see crap beyond them.

There's little beyond that I think can be considered reasonably logical reasons to consider wagons particularly superior. Oh yeah and wagon lights don't tend to blind oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front of you as easily as SUVs, whose headlamps are mounted higher.

-Ed

[cdmuile]

You make some good points. However, I don't think a taller vehicle necessarily is more aerodynamic. Vision around larger vehicles is definitely a pain. That was the main reason we chucked the 01 Cougar. Your Z would be about the same seating position.

[EddNog]

You make some good points. However, I don't think a taller vehicle necessarily is more aerodynamic. Vision around larger vehicles is definitely a pain. That was the main reason we chucked the 01 Cougar. Your Z would be about the same seating position.

I said it's less aerodynamic. Lower profile on a wagon is more aerodynamic, not vice-versa.

-Ed