5 REASONS WHY WAGONS ARE BETTER THAN SUVs or CROSSOVERS - 2022 VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTRY

Automotive Engineer David Koichi Chao explains why wagons (also called estates, touring models) are better in almost every aspect when compared to large SUVs and Crossovers. David go through in detail 5 reasons why you should consider buying wagons such as this 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country vs SUVs/Crossovers that are often less fun to drive and more bulky. David also provides a few reasons when it does make sense to buy SUVs over the wagons.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, consulting, and strategy. David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean Thinking or Toyota Production System. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.
This video was created in collaboration with Jimmy Mak Media, which filmed and helped with editing the video for Automotive Press.
Jimmy's channel can be found at:
/ jimmymak

[@KS-vq9em]

I truly appreciate 🙏 this review and it is emotional 😢 sad too see the direction in which the industry is heading. Station Wagons, Estate Wagon, Sportback Wagons are exceptional vehicles for everyday use. Im keeping my 05 Legacy GT wagon

[@rocketboyxbb]

Totally agree with you. I prefer estate cars for its practicality. The Volvo V90 is the best looking wagon.

[@MrZu119]

Great video. I live in the UK and SUVs and crossovers are becoming increasing common. While theyre not as big as North American counterparts, I can see how the UK is following this stupid trend towards bigger and bulkier vehicles

[@Kacpa2]

Its also killing wagon market too. Volvo just said they will stop selling V60 and V90 in UK, in lieu of XC60.and XC90 which is dumb as those suvs are hardly anymore roomy and often in practice have less passenger and cargo room where it matters,while.hiking up.the specs by height alone.

[@oladokunsamuel5923]

They are given great engines most of the time, and rarely get major issues like normal sedans and SUVs

[@TheBalkanSpy]

I have the 2020 Volvo S60 currently, I am planning to upgrade to the V60 or V90 (non cross country) next year for many of these reasons. Mainly because of how well wagon's drive compared to SUV's, it's like a rollercoaster driving an SUV.

[@gabrielm-art7439]

I would probably one day get a v60 because it is smaller, it and the v90 look gorgeous to me.

[@Tomm9y]

I think the raised wagon market will be revived with the advent of EV's. The big reason is the far great wind resistance of full SUV's, the energy required to propel a wagon like this is far less than that required for an SUV of similar weight. It's crazy that Diesel / Petrol engines are being phased out when users in rural areas are far better served by them. It will be many decades before the charging infrastructure is sufficient to rely on. I do think wagons like this need smaller wheel and higher profile tyres, they cope far better with a variety of surfaces and particularly rough roads.

[@sunrisejak2709]

Relating to the overall height is that wagons are much easier to wash. My Audi Q7 requires a step ladder to wash and I still struggle to hand wash the entire windscreen. Washing my Volvo V60 is much easier and more enjoyable to wash. 😊

[@Reckless40]

We love our VW Mk7.5 Sportswagen. We are in the camp of wanting either a truck based SUV or a sedan based wagon. Crossovers are a compromise that don’t fill either roll that well & we don’t really care for them. I don’t know why Europe gets all the great wagon/estate options. Of all hatchbacks & sedans we’ve owned (ie Corolla, WRX, Focus) we would have opted for the wagon version of each had they been available here in North America. Many hatchbacks we get here in NA are just a bit too small for many, but adding that extra 1.5 to 2 foot of cargo room length turns them into really practical vehicles.

[@JK-wr6is]

I completely agree. I wish there were more choices. I also wish I could afford the Audi.

[@subninja8069]

Am 36 and am a wagon guy. Wish Americans can get back to wagons some days.

[@markopolozoomanitty6574]

Great info.. thank you

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, This is absolutely PERFECT timing for a wagon video. Let's make it clear, here in Canada station wagons never went out of style. Other than the Outback, we simply cannot buy mainstream wagons anymore due to market overlap with wagon-hating America and the refusal of automakers to cater to our specific market preferences. To illustrate this point, I would invite you to do a professional investigation as to why wagons like the Matrix, original Venza and Prius v ALL had an extra year of sales in the Canadian market. This was clearly a reaction to higher per capita demand in Canada. Sadly, it has become a truism that manufacturers prefer to force us to buy a more expensive CUV instead of a more affordable wagon. It seems Toyota Motor Corporation won't bring us their fantastic Corolla wagon because they make more money selling us the less efficient RAV4. Luckily, you will be in the UK for the next two weeks and you will be able to fully DOCUMENT the variety of sensible wagons assembled and on sale across Europe. :D

[@AutomotivePress]

Yes indeed it's the perfect timing - there are so many wagons here in the UK. In fact, even in Japan, people love wagons over SUVs - it's only in North America where large trucks and bulky SUVs have become the favorites. I think this Volvo V90 is the perfect example of a perfect European wagon...

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@AutomotivePress Hi David, How is the weather over there? Will there be another car spotting video?

[@wporsche9119]

Not all Americans hate station wagons. I love them because they handle like a sedan with a lot of cargo space. Its a sedan with a backpack. I’ve owned several through the years. The suv killed the wagon. If you look at old pictures from the 1950’s - 1980’s a lot of people were driving them here in the USA. Today your only choice is bmw, mercedes, vw, audi, volvo or subaru. I wouldn’t touch a german or swedish wagon. That leaves the outback for me. I don’t like the forester. Im not sure of the cvt transmission quality on wheather I would like it or not. I need to drive one.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@wporsche9119 Would you prefer if I wrote - due to market overlap with pathologically wagon-averse America instead? ;-)

[@porkfat5521]

Every year SUVs become more car like, soon they will be minivans and I will still be happily driving my old Camry.

[@edwardiansimo]

those are crossovers. the only true suvs are the tahoes suburbans and expeditions

[@johne6081]

We currently have two cars, a 2001 VW Passat wagon and a 2016 VW Golf Sportwagen. We still consider the B5/B5.5 generation Passat wagon to be the best-sized, best-configured car ever offered on the American market.

[@stevethevlogger]

My mom had a 1982 maroon Toyota Corolla Wagon. Eventually flat floor was great for her scooter which I installed a Bruno scooter lift (it fit with a very little room to spare…kept the car till 2001. Nice to slide things like camping equipment in…it had a full size spare but never had a flat! It had a roof rack that came w it from factory. (Japan import). We drove in Colorado over the mountain passes and had to tie down bicycles horizontally on the roof rack!

[@JohnCornellier]

No denying the wagon has better driving characteristics, but most Americans care very little for that. The top selling car in that geo is the F-150. For passenger comfort the Sienna (or other van) is the best.

[@marcleibovic6879]

+1 and why we just bought a Subey Outback

[@coltonmarshburn1828]

If you’re not really doing any off roading and towing at all, consider a wagon If you’re old and wagons are too low but still want good fuel economy and if you’re doing some light off roading and towing but not hardcore off roading and heavy towing, consider a crossover If you’re doing more moderate to serious off roading and/or if you do tow a lot, consider an SUV

[@rightlanehog3151]

Believe it or not, for a very, very long time wagons did everything that needed to be done for millions of families across this continent and around the world. In those days only snow plow operators and lumberjacks actually needed a SUV.

[@rick8125]

David your so correct, wagons just aren’t the in thing right now. I had rented a Subaru Outback wagon and really enjoyed it for all the reasons your shared. Although be careful with those lower 45 series sidewall tires there sometimes more prone to flats.

[@KS-vq9em]

I truly appreciate 🙏 this review and it is emotional 😢 sad too see the direction in which the industry is heading. Station Wagons, Estate Wagon, Sportback Wagons are exceptional vehicles for everyday use.

[@vchanpe1]

My 2019 Subaru Outback has a boxer engine which has a lower center of gravity and with AWD, it handles better than a taller SUV. My Outback is inexpensive, quiet, good ride, reliable, good MPG, and handles like it is glued to the road.

[@a.a.a.r5238]

SUVs are still perfect choice in harsh weather regions, snow, mud, etc.

[@soapmaker2263]

I like the outback, but not their CVT and infotainment screen.

[@rogerb7147]

I have a car which is just about perfect dimensionally: 2012 Prius v. This wagon is 64 in. tall and has very easy ingress/egress. It can haul just about anything with 67 cu.ft. of cargo space. It has thin doors so its exterior width is less than that of a current Camry but the interior width is satisfactory. Toyota stopped bringing it to the U.S. I would think mostly because people were sold the Rav4, which had a quieter drivetrain. I do like getting mid 40's mpg. What's to replace it? I guess the Corolla Cross is the only Toyota candidate and I might wait for the hybrid version of that. The Rav4 is a candidate but on the big side for me. I wish somebody made a similar car to this Prius v now.

[@rightlanehog3151]

The Prius v was the near perfect balance of fuel efficiency and practicality. The new Corolla Cross is not nearly as adaptable or space efficient though the upcoming Hybrid may well offer AWD.

[@josephkraft5640]

Yeah we got 2021 Highlander XSE for family vehicle. Actually a perfectly designed vehicle at this time. Work of art. I like wagons but resell and cargo is important with almost 5 kiddos. May need a sienna soon 😳.

[@sumatanjunior231]

Highlanders are lifted wagons. Read your manual 😄

[@1956jude]

Thanks for the video, David. I drive a 2014 Ford Flex which some consider a station wagon and others call it an SUV. I hope to upgrade to a 2023 Toyota 4runner (hybrid).

[@rightlanehog3151]

@ Judy Arnold I liked the Flex wagon, how is yours holding up? For a CUV, the new Highlander Hybrid is amazingly efficient and capable. You might want to place your order now if you want to get one for 2023 ;-)

[@1956jude]

@@rightlanehog3151 I have been pretty happy with the Flex. It has 103k miles now so am keeping a close eye on it. I've had two non-maintenence repairs. Fuel system module died at about 70k. And at less than 50k I had to have a sway bar end link replaced. Those things were annoying at what I consider to be low mileage. Yes, Highlander is on my list of possibilities. I had a 3rd Gen 4runner from 1996-2011 and still miss it.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@1956jude Sorry, I misread your original comment, I thought you were considering one of the Toyota Hybrids already in production. I expect the next 4Runner and other body-on-frame Toyotas will follow the Tundra example with the electric 'pancake' motor bolted between the engine and transmission. For the time being, we can all dream of a 4Runner with the 437hp twin turbo V6 Hybrid set up the new Tundra is using. I am glad your Flex is hanging in there. I still have a sentimental attachment to 'Domestic' nameplates but my Toyota built car is so solid I cannot imagine willingly going back to the hit and miss QDR of the Detroit 3. In regard to your old 4Runner, just the other day I was urging a friendly stranger to get their 4Runner rustproofed before winter salt hits the road as rust is usually the only thing that stops them.

[@vytenisrupeika6102]

Mercedes E wagon mine favorite.

[@dbsantanapr]

I drove a Toyota Corolla wagon for 20 years, and loved it! But it wouldn’t work for me now because the ground clearance is too low for where I live now.

[@rightlanehog3151]

For the last 16 years I have a driven a Corolla-wagon-in-disguise called the Pontiac Vibe. In my snowy and pothole-strewn part of Canada I have all the ground clearance I need.

[@seanym67]

Are you sure about the supercharged part? I assume you meant mechanical as you mentioned it along with the turbocharger. I had heard there was a 48v electric supercharger being employed rather than a mechanical unit in these motors.

[@wporsche9119]

We are a Toyota family Please tell Toyota to make a true station wagon awd I would buy it

[@rightlanehog3151]

They build and sell an eAWD Corolla wagon in Japan.

[@Underated77]

Golf Sportwagen is sadly discontinued - last manual wagon in Canada

[@MrRaitzi]

Cross country is great. I am sad they don't offer it anymore. Would be great with new 18kwh hybrid power train.

[@edwardiansimo]

ima consider this as a family vehicle

[@jamesdarren9149]

You forgot about the Subaru Outback!!! I think the best wagon choice!!

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

one video mentioned that the open design could mess with hate an I just thought why not get my friend to cut a separation wall for me hehe

[@jamesmerritt4032]

It is disappointing most car companies moved away from wagons

[@FranziskaNagel445]

Only in the american market. The european car market is still full of wagons.

[@kresimirkalman6113]

I couldn't agree more

[@saramaki1088]

I always hated SUVs, but last year, after driving Honda Accords for 30 years, I ended up getting an '07 lexus Rx400h because living in New England, I'm sick of digging my car out of the snow. In the RX, I can just drive right over it! I'm still getting used to driving it, especially on turns. The handling on the Accord was so much easier, in that respect. Not so much in the snow, though.

[@aimxdy8680]

I live in chicago which gets 40 inches of snow per year and brutal cold winds and ice bridges and still drive a RWD car with just tires and most cars in the ditch on I-94 are SUV’s and pickups

[@Teddy-vs5rw]

Reasons start at 3:40.

[@cpen2363]

The proliferation of SUV and crossovers in the United States is another sign of the decline of civilization here. All kidding aside, after owning my Audi A6 wagon for the last 11 years it will be a sad day when we retire it. Absolutely brilliant car. Tons of room, amazing looks, handling and snow capability. I’ll never buy a crossover/SUV for the reasons pointed out in this video plus others. I think we’ll see more wagons at some point with the transition to EV because it’s more efficient to do so. Efficiency = range and the companies that fail to do that will most likely go out of business.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Well said.

[@gabrielm-art7439]

Audi just released an a6 e tron Avant concept a few weeks ago.

[@philipzivnuska7321]

How is the reliability of this turbocharged supercharged engine from Volvo? Do you think it will make it to 200,000 miles?

[@cultofmodernism8477]

How do they perform in the snow?

[@AutomotivePress]

Fantastic, due to excellent AWD system

[@hungryboy424]

Who owned the XC70 behind you ?

[@yms9829]

Check with IIHS updated side impact test: Wait until an American pickup truck, with its raised frame, T bone you, unlike SUV, your wagon’s B frame and glasses would not be able to protect you….

[@MrChangchichris]

What's your opinion of this Volvo vs a Subaru Outback?

[@TC-hs5wy]

Ya that Volvo wagon, Audi and Benzo are great but thats not mainstream and what most people possibly could afford.Outbacks are our only real choice for “Affordable” wagons these days. Dodge made one too back in the day w the hemi.

[@Fudgeballs88]

A good alternative to SUVS and trucks is Minivans although they aren't considered very good cars

[@kingstonsean]

The V90 starts at $65,000 in Canada. It's just not an option for most Canadian families. Neither are the Audi or Mercedes. The Subura Outback, which you didn't mention, is the only possible option for most. I'd rather have a wagon, but there are CUvs, SUVs and minivans available at half the price.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

Station wagons can be every bit as big a SUVs and Crossovers. In fact all crossovers are is station wagons with a little more head room, ground clearance, and optional four or all wheel drive. If you want a station wagon just get a two wheel drive cross over it is the same thing.

[@aimxdy8680]

no they are not the same thing, crossovers ride like pigs and handle terrible, wagons are more nimble and drive better and gets better gas mileage due to being more aerodynamic, and a lower centre of gravity, centre of gravity determines the way a car drives

[@davidhaim89]

This lifetime wagon owner in the sunbelt will probably migrate to a hatchback, just to avoid the inefficiencies, weight and mechanical complexity of AWD.

[@mikeb6386]

Where and who builds that wagon? Is it a Chineese company?

[@tallesttreeintheforest]

i think people buy SUVs because everyone else drive SUVs, and when everyone else drive SUVs - and you dont, you always get their headlights in your face or back windows, you feel kinda and stuff.

[@Kacpa2]

Cargo space being bigfer in suvs is a bit of a fallacy. SUVs cargo volume is mostly a lie, its coming mostly from waybits measured usually to window line. SUVs get it in height but usually barely match true wagons in length and width and only theoreticly have more room only from the height. For families that need only 5 seata there is no reason to go for SUV over a wagon. its only a reasonable choice if someone desperately needs 3rd row seating. So they would go from Subaru outback to Ascent inatead. Outback is still superior in everyway to Forester for example and all CUVs are being vehilces of a kind that Forester is. These are not wagon replacements and dont have more space than Outback in practice. Also Outback is the only wagon that is price appropriately to its SUV counterparts unlike all other imported wagons due to stupid legislation and import duties being extreme for these, meaning that V60 costs more than XC60 for no good reason, same waybfor V90 and XC90. When its other way around in europe.

[@alreadydeadal]

Subaru man... Didn't mention it.

[@hambone_47_]

Resale value of a station-wagon is awful.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

I hate wagons, sedans, sports cars, coupes, hatchbacks, and minivans. I guess I’m not alone.

[@aimxdy8680]

@@user-tb7rn1il3q “I drive an SUV I must show everyone I have a 2 inch dick and assert my dominance because I drive an SUV”

[@gb23a]

The only other one is a Subaru Outback that has a reasonable price. The Volvo is way overpriced so there never going to sell as many

[@chintetshing1668]

👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@maherhanania7131]

Volvo is better ,Audi and Mercedes too much, Sweden is good .

[@shirmworm]

For an "Old Timer" it's harder to enter and exit a Wagon - Big Negative!!

[@rightlanehog3151]

Did you find the Country Squire, Vista Cruiser, Town and Country and Caprice wagons hard to exit and enter? I never did.

[@aimxdy8680]

I’m 6’2 and I get in wagons easy

[@TuomioK]

I think its wrong approach. If you are unfit to climb out of a car then you shouldnt drive at all. It can be dangerous to others if you cant react in time etc. Sure some disabilities might not affect driving that much but still. Face the facts.

[@traveller924]

It used to be bullet proof vehicle, but long time ago. Not sure it still stands since Chinese bought the brand.

[@Tundra-pw2cu]

Wagons not for me. I like sitting up higher in a SUV.

[@Hello_there_obi]

Exciting? How are appliances that weigh well over 2 tonnes with no sound, gears, vibration exciting? How are SUVs exciting? And all cars look increasingly identical and are becoming more and more expensive to buy. Second hand and new. Second hand because the scrappage scheme reduced the number of older cars, particularly hatchbacks. New because suvs and evs are much more expensive. And yet people are being either brainwashed or just driven by selfish ignorance into buying them. Makes me sick. I don’t know what drugs you’ve been taking or who’s paying you to say something like that but it’s not exciting at all.

[@meljohnson6821]

sorry, i like your wagon but, your logo is weird, needs upgrade take out the slash design

[@rudigerklemens2657]

Unless you intend to keep it till it dies, why would anyone buy a traditional dying breed with no resale value. Traditional wagons are for older generations. Not cool for most car buyers out there. Oftentimes, the car you drive speaks about who you are!

[@rickcupola6262]

Wagons are cool. SUV's aren't. And people don't know it because they have been coerced by auto makers with the mentality that SUV's and pickup trucks are good purchases when they just turn into mall crawlers. So much for off-road ability. People crying "I like SUV because muh visibility" don't take into account the blind spots as a result of high ride height until it's too late, when they tip over due to the high center of gravity or run over an innocent pedestrian. "Wagons are for older generations."🤓 Wagons used to be the family car, then it turned into minivans and then into the SUV, the reasons for the former being the need for more space and the thought that wagons are uncool, and the latter being the fact that an obscenely bigger car without any gains in passenger capacity, trunk space and vehicle handling is better than a wagon or a van. The enthusiast market has somewhat graduated to this mentality and almost mutually agreed that wagons > SUV's.

[@KS-vq9em]

I truly appreciate 🙏 this review and it is emotional 😢 sad too see the direction in which the industry is heading. Station Wagons, Estate Wagon, Sportback Wagons are exceptional vehicles for everyday use. Im keeping my 05 Legacy GT wagon