Wagon Train

2006 Chevrolet HHR 2LT
Considering that it costs some $10,000 less than the other cars in this category, the HHR proves itself a worthy choice for young families and is a good example of how much you can get on a wagon at the lower end of the price range. A jack to plug your iPod into the stereo system comes standard. My test car included such options as a sunroof, heated leather seats, XM Satellite Radio and a high-output engine/sports suspension package, and still came in under $23,000. So the HHR's fourth-place rank isn't due to any real failings on its part. The HHR is also a good illustration of just where the wagon category is going these days. It's one of the latest "tall wagons," which borrow an SUV's high stance. To this formula the HHR adds a cartoonish gangster exterior design, with big chunky fenders. Overtly retro styling is starting to feel so five minutes ago, yet I didn't hate the look.

Though the HHR is smaller than the others in this group in length and width, its extra height gives it a boost in functionality. There's 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat — more than the larger Mazda6. Plus, an adjustable shelf in the cargo area makes the vertical space more usable. However, that height also makes the HHR feel less secure in turns, with noticeable body roll at high speeds. Add the less-than-responsive steering and the HHR feels more like a small family hauler than a driver's car.

2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon 2.0T
Following a redesign of the Passat sedan, Volkswagen rolled out a revamped wagon this winter as an early 2007 model. One notable improvement is the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which provides plenty of power for anyone who tends to load up a wagon with people and stuff. However, the car tends to be a bit sluggish at the lower end of the rpm band; it doesn't really get its mojo until about 2,500 rpm. Switching into manual mode on the six-speed automatic transmission improves matters considerably. The Passat's interior and exterior styling is elegant and spare — and rivals the Saab's near-luxury territory. Though six-cylinder Passats also creep toward near-luxury price, the 2.0 Passat can stay well under $30,000 if you can resist piling on the options. I'd be happy to forgo the priciest option ($1,800) on my test car, a six-disc CD changer packaged with an infinitely frustrating navigation system, which more than once instructed me to exit a highway only to get right back on it.

2006 Mazda6 s Grand Sport Wagon
It was a tough decision to rank the Mazda6 above the Passat because my chief complaints about them were so similar. Like the Passat, the 6 has a frustrating automatic transmission — in this case, the car is quick enough off the line, but it can be slow to downshift when, say, passing or merging on the highway. Again, switching over to the manual option helps. Its voice-activated nav system — a $2,000 option — was also on the quirky side. So why does the Mazda edge out the Passat? Mostly for its sporty, fun-to-drive handling. Steering is crisp, and brakes are firm and secure. The interior feels more sporty than luxe, with round vents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a swath of faux aluminum trim down the center stack. The sporty look continues on the outside; from the dual exhaust pipes to the rear spoiler, it sends the message loud and clear: This is no mom mobile.

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Sport Combi