Need a small wagon

Paperdragon · May 27, 2007

Hi,

We're in the market for a new/used car to replace our 10yo CR-V. We need something with reasonable fuel efficiency but open cargo space in back (like a small wagon or minivan). We looked at the Honda FIT, which seemed perfect, but then I saw that it gets lousy rear impact crash test ratings, so that's not an option. The SUV's we've looked at all seem to get horrible gas mileage. We have two kids, so we don't need a third row of seating, although we could use it for carpooling. Is a minivan the only way to go to get that open cargo space, reasonable fuel efficiency and decent crash test ratings? We need the open cargo space because sometimes we have our two dogs with us-so a sedan body type won't work. Thanks!

SafeDad · May 27, 2007

If you like the fit, don't dismiss it on the head restraint testing done by the IIHS. That test isn't really a crash test at all; it's an evaluation of head restraints done on a test sled with an average male dummy at typical seat adjustments. The results don't apply at all to kids in child restraints that provide their own head support.

Also:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=16830

What about a 2007 CR-V? The 2006-2007 Pilot comes to mind if you want something a little bigger. If cost is no object, the Highlander Hybrid would solve the fuel economy issue.

Paperdragon · May 27, 2007

Oh, I never even thought about the headrest issue. Is that all the rear impact crash test measures? Or could they get a "poor" rating for that for some other reason? I was just assuming that because it's so small, the colliding vehicle would end up in the back seat, or something. Is there anywhere I can find out more about what exactly gave them the "poor" rating?

jen_nah · May 27, 2007

The Saab 9-3 wagons also get great crash rating and good gas mileage. There is the Volvo V50 again good gas mileage (haven't checked crash ratings). There is also the Mazda & Subaru wagons too.

Namegirl · May 27, 2007

Have you looked at the Mazda 5? It seats 6 with 3 rows of 2 seats and is smaller than a minivan, but with sliding doors and lots of cargo room in the back.

twokidstwodogs · May 27, 2007

I have a 2006 Subaru Legacy wagon, which I love. My two 70 lb dogs fit in the cargo area surprisingly well. (I used to have a Forester, and they fit well in there too.) Subarus do extremely well on crash test ratings, even those without side curtain airbags. They are also a lot of fun to drive. I considered buying a Volvo V50, but the Legacy actually did better in crash tests than *any* Volvo, and it was cheaper and more reliable to boot. Oh, and Subaru allows the use of its LATCH system to 60 lbs, which is nice.

Legacy and Outback wagons have side curtain airbags for rear passengers, and have since 2005, I think. Foresters do not, but they do still have excellent side impact crash test ratings. Non-turbo models will get decent gas mileage. Unfortunately, Subaru is discontinuing the Legacy wagon for 08. Why, I don't know, as it's a great car. It's an IIHS top pick, and got great reviews.

Oh, and you should also look at the Mazda5.

southpawboston · May 27, 2007

if you are willing to buy used, you can get a VW jetta wagon with the turbodiesel engine... 45+ hwy mpg. sounds like the perfect size for your needs.

a toyota prius is slightly smaller than a wagon, but it is a hatch so it has much of the practicality of a wagon, but a lower roof line in back and so less overall trunk space. but still larger than a honda fit.

lastly, scion is replacing the xB with an all new version this year (xD?). the xB gets great mileage and is extremely spacious since it is essentially a box, but it did rather poorly in crash tests. the new replacement for it should do much better in crash tests, if any of the recent toyotas to come out are any indication.

Victorious4 · May 27, 2007

Paperdragon said:
We need the open cargo space because sometimes we have our two dogs with us-so a sedan body type won't work. Thanks!

I'd just like to add that your dogs can become deadly projectiles upon the rest of your family in a crash: a 20 pound object/baby/pet becomes about 600 pounds of force upon the other occupants during a 30 MPH crash -- please make sure whichever vehicle you get has a cargo barrier by the vehicle manufacturer.... Other options include the IMMI Petbuckle (by the same company that makes carseat harnesses, even for special needs adults) or Ruff Rider Roadie.

Paperdragon · May 27, 2007

Thanks for all of these great leads everyone! I'm off to do research now. And thanks for the tip about buckling our dogs up. We do have a pet divider in our CR-V, but if we go the mini van route, we'll definetly invest in car harnesses for them for the third row.

UlrikeDG · May 27, 2007

Presure mounted barriers may cause more harm than good as well. Crash tests showed that many of them shattered, sending dangerous shards flying through the vehicle. There are two good posts on this topic on the CPSP list here. Reader's Digest article: gates for SUV and vans and Crash tested dividers.

I had a cargo net that I used for groceries in the back of my SUV. I used ratcheting or "cam buckle" tie downs to hold down my stroller.

I also have a pet buckle for my dog. I actually have both the IMMI and the Ruff Rider versions. I found the IMMI buckle to be easier to use, but they both work well.

Industry Group Warns Unrestrained Pets Can Cause Serious Auto Accidents

SafeDad · May 27, 2007

Paperdragon said:
Oh, I never even thought about the headrest issue. Is that all the rear impact crash test measures? Or could they get a "poor" rating for that for some other reason? I was just assuming that because it's so small, the colliding vehicle would end up in the back seat, or something. Is there anywhere I can find out more about what exactly gave them the "poor" rating?

That is really all it measures. The IIHS (www.iihs.org) rear crash test only measures the geometry of the seat back and head restraint. If the geometry is poor, the model fails. If it is acceptable, then they put the seat on a test sled and do a dynamic test. Depending on the results, the model may then be given a good, acceptable or marginal rating in terms of whiplash injury measures. Plus, they also don't necessarily test every seating position or every trim level of a particular model, as rear seats and different options can be very different than the front seats of the tested version.

No crash test of any other kind is done for rear impacts. No measure of the chassis, intrusion, crush space, nothing. The government has a pass/fail test, but it is primarily to test the integrity of the fuel system.

Need a small wagon

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