Saab - The eternally misunderstood tragic hero of the automotive world.

Apparently these automakers don’t read Jalopnik (or take it seriously) because otherwise we’d already have a bunch of manual sporty wagons to choose from.

Yes, but they’re called crossovers for a reason, namely height. That’s a dealbreaker for me.

49 cu. ft. of cargo space is hatchback territory. Come to think of it, just about all recent wagons are between 50-70 cu. ft, I think the Buick Tour X is the biggest at 73 cubes. What we really need is a new full-size estate wagon with 3 rows and at least 80 cu. ft. Sort of like a modern rendition of the V8 Roadmaster.

I know my mom’s Porsche Macan 2.0 without the Sport Plus package has an analog clock instead of a stopwatch.

Obviously, driving dynamics and handling are superior on a vehicle with a lower center of gravity and lighter weight. Not to mention improved fuel economy because of better aerodynamics. But I’m afraid I’m bringing facts into a subjective discussion.

Agree with you, but IMO 5 1/2' beds shouldn’t exist on a full-size pickup truck. The Saab comparison was just to prove how small it is.

I agree. Other future collectible wagons would be the E39 540i (clean one with 63K just sold on BAT for $23K), the Saab 9-3 Turbo X (only about 250 sold in USA), the S4s and S6s, the 04-06 V70R and finally, more recently, the V60 Polestar

100% agree with the article. And why the heck do F-150 Crew Cabs have more rear leg room than a freaking S-Class? Fact: I can fit a longer sheet of plywood in my Saab 9-5 Wagon with the seats folded than in the 5 1/2' bed of aforementioned Crew Cab F-150s.

I had an X-Type, nothing great about it. I’d nominate the Saab 9-5 Aero in wagon form. Fast, comfortable (best seats ever), spacious, and better handling than you would expect from a heavy FWD.

Must’ve been a really special “cucumber” to make the 11 hours worth it

280 lb-ft of torque is exactly what you’d expect from a 268 hp 2.0 turbo engine. A 268 hp diesel engine would make closer to 400 lb-ft. So I don’t understand where the extra torque from a VC is at?

Personally, I’d take a V60 Polestar any day for $20K less. But still, the Jag is a better choice than the herds of $80K+ SUVs and CUVs littering the roads.

5-speed auto here, 3000 rpm in 5th is at a lofty 88 mph. Never saw the need for a 6th.

Women are a big part of why wagons aren’t selling in the US. Seriously, all women I know hate wagons for some reason, yet are totally mesmerized by these crossover things. I guess that’s what’s fashionable these days and like any fashion trend, practicality and logical reasoning go out the window...

Wise choice to go with Saab, having owned and driven lots of newer European cars/crossovers/SUVs, I can vouch that a well-sorted top-spec Saab is one of the most underrated cars out there and certainly one of the best cars $10K can buy. Are you looking at 9-3s or 9-5s? I’m more familiar with the 9-5, having owned 2.…

Is it weird that I have a fetish for chunky toggle switches?

As much as I love manual wagons, the MINI design language just doesn’t work for anything bigger than a regular Cooper.

I don’t have anything personal against the modern MINI Cooper, it’s fine for what it is, but the Clubman, Countryman, and Paceman are just plain ugly and should never have seen the light of day. Seems that no manufacturer can resist the urge to “diversify” and create crap for the masses just to rake in the $$$.

I’m strongly considering a “stripper” base Porsche Macan 2.0T at about $50K for my wife since she loves these mini-CUVs and I figured this is the best driving option at that price (I’ll be driving it too occassionally). Thoughts? Any other suggestions? Yes, like most women, she unfortunately hates wagons.