Tall wagon/hatch segment drawing more new entries, but not many customers?
The Chrysler Pacifica lasted all of four years before it was unceremoniously dumped from the Pentastar's lineup. The Ford Freestyle endured a name change after three model years, then lasted two more as the Taurus X before being sent out to pasture. The Cadillac SRX lasted six years as a tall wagon before being completely redone as a more traditional front-drive -based crossover for 2010. Mercedes-Benz's R-Class, essentially a lux'd out minivan without sliding doors, has been gathering moss since it rolled into U.S. dealers for 2006.Despite the less-than-stellar sales numbers of the aforementioned vehicles, there are a surprising number of tall wagons, genre-bending tippy hatches and style-over-utility people movers on the market, and more are on the way. The most recently announced entry into the tall wagon segment is the Honda Accord Crosstour, which is destined to hit the showroom floor this Fall. As far as we can tell from spy shots, it's taller than a standard Accord and has a hatch-like boot, giving it an aerowagon or "touring" style appearance. It certainly won't hurt the Crosstour's case that it's a Honda, and any association with the Accord name is likely a good thing, but customers have proven to be very picky when it comes to the angular tall wagon format.
What passes for success these days? We think Toyota's Venza is a particularly well-done example that manages to marshall an extra dose of style with still-reasonable utility. It's roomy and almost luxurious, yet Toyota has only sold 20,000 copies through June. The Japanese automaker was hoping for 50,000 sales per year, but Toyota national large car GM Bob Zeinstra tells Automotive News that the Venza is just now starting to pickup steam at the dealerships, and one has to factor in the perilous economy when considering total sales of any new vehicle.
For its part, BMW's X6 crossover, perhaps the poster-child for this automotive platypus segment, has actually been selling well for the German automaker, albeit in significantly smaller numbers than more mainstream models.
If Honda's Crosstour succeeds where the Freestyle, Pacifica and SRX failed, the segment may have some life in it. If it doesn't pass the sales test, we're wondering if automakers will finally give up hope on a segment long on new entries, but short on success stories.
[Source: Automotive News subs req'd | Images: M. Balisky]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Thunderdome 11:07AM (7/13/2009)
I was just telling a co-worker a few weeks ago how I think wagons are going to make a triumphant return. Once people realize that a crossover is lil more than a tall wagon, and gas prices return to the $4 range...the wagon will reign supreme....along with the small hatch.
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MajorGeek 11:11AM (7/13/2009)
Crossovers are the new name for station wagons because no one I know wants to own a "station wagon", it brings to mind the 70's and wood panels.
Bobmarley 11:47AM (7/13/2009)
I love wagons! I think wagons (when done right) look just as good or even better than their sedan brothers...like the new VW wagons
geo.stewart 11:47AM (7/13/2009)
these are not wagons though,. more like the Mazda6 5-door that went over like a lead balloon.
I loved it but losing the utility makes them near worthless. these are definitely twilighter vehicles.
the pacifica failed because it was a minivan without the sliding side door.
Mike 11:51AM (7/13/2009)
Agreed. The German sport wagon will replace the sport tuned SUV/SAV when Americans smarten up.
I personally like wagons but LOVE the crossover segment, especially the BMW X6. The Infinity EX is pretty cool too.
Emmo213 12:20PM (7/13/2009)
I love my 5 door Mazda6! It provides more utility and arguably is the best looking body style of the last gen Mazda6. I wish more manufactures would offer a 5 door configuration.
alex 12:24PM (7/13/2009)
do you really think people will switch to wagons when you can get a crossover that gets 32 mpg?
Rick 2:01PM (7/13/2009)
This isn't a wagon though! It's a wagon/SUV crossover.
Wagons would be welcome back, but will take something to get the stigma off them. I like the Verza. This however, looks like Honda tried too hard, while out thinking itself, all the while not thinking enough.
LMBVette 3:40PM (7/13/2009)
The CTS wagon comes out very soon....drool..........
Jeff 9:30AM (7/25/2009)
I agree with you, but it will take some time.
Two years back I got a brand new 9-3 SportCombi and was showing it to my neighbor. He said "is that ... um ... uh ... a crossover???". I said no, its a station wagon.
Then this year I bring home my A6 Avant, and he asks the same question!!!
Then at the end of the day yesterday, we have the TV on in the lunchroom. I see the new commercial for the CTS wagon and mentioned it. One of my coworkers says that is just wrong for Cadillac to make a wagon. I assume he meant because Cadillac makes luxury cars?!? I replied that my wagon is more luxurious than a CTS wagon and cost a hell of a lot more!
So while I also think that wagons will come back, it will be a tough row to hoe.
Enzo 11:10AM (7/13/2009)
My understanding is these are suppose to be the "next" SUV. Having an SUV is becoming a social stigma but people still want room to haul their stuff. If you have seen an X6, it looks like a car more than a truck and if you open the truck there is a HUGE space for stuff. Thus, giving the illusion of a car with the space like a truck.
Also, for women, the whole point of an SUV was to be off the ground so that they can feel in command or get a better view of the road. These big wheeled wagons give them that same road perspective.
Sadly, for some of us that did NOT use SUV for daily drivers and actually have a need to tow a boat or some other equipment in a trailer, the options in the future is going to only be a pickup because none of these cross overs/wagon cars whatever you want to call them, have no ability to tow
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Matt 11:27AM (7/13/2009)
"...Future is going to only be a pickup because none of these cross overs/wagon cars whatever you want to call them, have no ability to tow"
The Chevy Traverse can tow 5,000 pounds.
UH2L 11:40AM (7/13/2009)
The X6 does not have a very big cargo area at all. With that sloped hatch and high floor due to RWD, many entry lux stationwagons have more cargo volume. See the numbers.
Dude 11:11AM (7/13/2009)
It might have something to do with their awkward shape and designs. If I am shopping for utility, I want a wagon. If I want a sporty car with utility, I'll take a hatch. These are neither.
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Aki 1:17PM (7/13/2009)
That's the thing. It's tall, so it performs poorly like an SUV (worse than a wagon). It has a sloping trunk, so it has neither the cargo space of an SUV or wagon. Because of its height, it doesn't have the style of a classic, regular 5-door.
So it takes the worst from each segment that it's "crossing over" and turns it into this abomination. If you want a wagon that badly, just buy a freakin' wagon.
P.V. 11:11AM (7/13/2009)
Well, I have seen very few X6s, while I've seen a bunch of Venzas pop up in my area.
The Crosstour will probably sell well by virtue of being a Honda Accord, but in any case, this is probably a case of "I TOLD you so!" with respect to the segment being an answer to an unasked question.
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DJ 11:21AM (7/13/2009)
There was a period in the early to mid-80's when everyone had a "five-door" hatchback of some sort. GM had the Citation and Phoenix, Acura had the Integra, Saab had the 900. Toyota, Ford and others also had them. Back then, we were in a major recession, gas prices were unstable, and everyone wanted more function from a smaller package.
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Kitko 12:34PM (7/13/2009)
Isn't that a classic liftback? Something like a standard Mazda6 liftback/hatchback.
http://www.gotbroken.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2008-mazda-6-hatchback-rear-side-view.jpg
Not an estate, not a sedan, you can't get a fridge in a the trunk is more accessible, perfect for most people
The only difference is, perphaps, a higher ground clearance, but the only obstacle these crossover ever climb over is a speedbump.
Paxx 11:22AM (7/13/2009)
I hate to say it because I was a child of the 80s where wagons were dime a dozen then became super lame but I would SERIOUSLY prefer the new Volvo Station Wagons to any of these pieces of crap. As I'm about to hit my 30s too I think the nostalgia is coming back too for the Volvo.
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Doogs 11:25AM (7/13/2009)
No mention of the Subaru Forester? That tall wagon that, you know, has gone a long way toward helping Subby kick butt and take names while everyone else sheds sales every month?
It seems to me sales in this segment have been mixed because of the vehicles themselves. The Pacifica was hobbled from day one. The Freestyle/Taurus X was 1) too big and 2) about as exciting as cardboard. The R-Class was a $60,000 minivan without the sliding doors.
But Volvo's XC70 has been a steady seller for years. And I'm pretty sure the Infiniti EX and Toyota Venza are both doing pretty well.
It's too soon to tell with this segment. It's kind of like judging diesels based on the what, six cars that have a diesel option...
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