SUV vs Estate: Is The SUV Killing The Station Wagon? - Carfection

There was a time when every family that needed a roomy car had an estate or station wagon. Now it seems that SUVs are killing them off. But how did we get to this state of affairs and which is actually best? Come for a drive in one of each with Drew Stearne and Henry Catchpole and join in the discussion in the comments.
We drive the Volvo V90 Cross Country and the Land Rover Discovery Sport

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[JBOsurf]

Watch the video again and concentrate on the ride quality. The Volvo is smooth as silk, the LR is bouncing the guys around all over the place.

[ssflipallday]

I wouldn’t hate SUV’s so much if there weren’t so god damn many of them. 7/10 times at a red light I’m behind one and can’t see when the light turns green or when cars start moving

[Grenyas]

Crossovers are booming, but long live the wagon.

[FlorinNitulescu_]

I’ll say it again and again: that V90 is absolutely gorgeous! The Cross-Country version is even more beautiful (and practical for that matter). There’s no SUV on that market that stands a chance to a V90 in terms of style and stability. I really hope station wagons make a comeback.

[amigodesigns]

Estates 4ever, better safety, better millage, better dynamics, etc, sorry but I don't like the SUVs as a concept.

[lg]

The estate car in America was practically dead in the mid 1980’s. It was replaced first by the minivan then by the suv. Americans hate any car your mom drives you to school in.

[johndunne]

I agree with your choice. One additional, practical, point is (for dog owners) that it is much easier for small and/or ageing large dogs to get into the boot of a station wagon rather than most SUVs.

[VolkswagenNut]

I drive about 40, 000 miles a year for my business and haul lots of camera equipment, used to drive only SUVs, now I have two Volvo wagons. No contest, the difference is palpable. The wagons ride much nicer, handle much better, are just as utilitarian, and are more elegant looking (and unusual these days).
I’d never go back!

[ChrisSs]

SUV's in my opinion are redundant. Nobody uses the offroad capabilities anyways. Estates are more efficient, handles better and got equal space to load your stuff in.

[geraltofrivian]

Definitely less focus on estates/wagons. I always preferred wagons, but China and the US prefers SUVs and controls most of the market

[joemacleod-iredale]

Surely driving an SUV is like wearing hiking boots- arguably practical but a bit daft if your in the office...

[ChaosphereIX]

CUVs, not proper SUVs like RRs etc., are ruining the automotive market right now. They are everywhere and people buy them for no reason whatsoever other than perception and marketing fairy dust.

I hate the things so much...

[albinalm]

Here in Sweden there are waaay more estates than SUVs. When I drive home from Gothenburg, one out of two cars are estates while I don't see SUVs very often.

[umakegoodcookies]

The number one reason for everyone I've ever asked about it is the feeling of safety. Being up higher, and in a larger vehicle, feels safer for the occupant. Whether it is or not, or whether it's more dangerous for other people seems not to matter one bit.

[Punisher]

Estates are so much better. In every realistic way. Also that Volvo is quite a lot higher then most estates which are just as low as saloons.

[AkaAndyKnuckles]

Nice video. I once drove an A4 Allroad and a Q5 back to back. The A4 was miles better in dynamics and somewhat in comfort.

[rosenfeld]

The tall driving position justifies about 80% of why people go for the SUV. The other 20% could be the looks, fashion, status or the adventurous lifestyle expression.

[charlesmacgilchrist]

The volvo is a very good looking sporting brake and I would go for that also. My boss has a 190hp discovery 4 that does 20mpg. My Estate car is almost as roomy on paper but weighs 1400kg less so with 121hp is 3 seconds quicker to 60 and does 55mpg.

[richk]

Earlier this year, I traded in a 2013 XC60 for a 2016 V60 Cross Country. I thought I'd miss the SUV, hasn't happened yet, I made a great choice! Maybe one day "estate" sales will overtake the SUV's!

[DonFather]

I think it is exactly how popular the station wagon was in the past that has cursed it. None of us want to be just like our parents because we think they are the opposite of trendy. I'm sure a generation or 2 later, people will be sick of SUVs when they drive.