Fashions come and go, which is no bad thing if you’re ancient enough to remember the flairs, body shirts, and platform soled shoes of the 1970s. Good God! What were we all thinking? Cars are no exception to fashion trends. Right now, SUVs are all the rage with Australian motorists. Their commanding presence, spacious interiors, and versatile capabilities make them an attractive choice for many of us. It’s been that way for quite a while and the taste for SUVs shows few signs of slowing.
Lately I’ve been casting an eye over station wagons. They were once a staple on Australian roads, and a practical family favourite, but have now largely gone out of fashion in favour of the high sided SUV alternative. Which is curious, because in many ways a station wagon can be a better choice of vehicle than an SUV.
Cheaper
For starters, station wagons can be cheaper to run than SUVs because they typically offer better fuel economy, thanks to their lower stance, better aerodynamics, and lighter weight. With the high cost of fuel that’s a saving really adds up over the long term.
Lower fuel use also adds up to a lower environmental impact, meaning station wagons are a greener alternative to SUVs.
That lower stance doesn’t just make station wagons cheaper to run, it makes them better handling as well, with more stability thanks to that lower centre of gravity. You’ll get a smooth ride in a vehicle that drives like a car, and that makes quite a difference to how you’ll feel after a long day at the wheel. Because they’re closer to the ground, station wagons are also easier to get in and out of – no more hauling yourself up into the seat of your SUV.
Spacious and Versatile
Sure, you get a lot of space in an SUV, but you can get just as much, or even more in a station wagon. And that space can be a lot more versatile and useful, whether you’re carting passengers, sporting equipment, or lengthy bits of hardware from Bunnings.
For many families that makes them a better choice for city life and the occasional weekend getaway.
Hey Good Looking!
Now beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I’ll stick my neck out here and boldly declare that station wagons are far more stylish than SUVs. Late model Commodores were arguably the best-looking vehicles Holden ever made. The Mazda 6 may be getting long in the tooth, but it’s still a lovely thing to look at. Ditto for the Skoda Octavia wagon, and the BMW 3 Series. Station wagons really catch the eye in a way that SUVs don’t.
So, with all this going for station wagons why aren’t more people buying them? Perhaps it’s simply fashion, but with more of us opting for SUVs or dual cab utes there’s fewer station wagons on the market these days. Hyundai axed its excellent i40 and i30 wagons long ago, The Toyota Camry wagon is also long gone, so is the Ford Mondeo. The stylish and affordable Mazda 6 is also heading for the exit ramp this year.
There’s no doubt about it, if you’re in the market for a station wagon, then your choice is limited. One that is available, however, is the stunning Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD, and you can get it right now on a Fleetcare novated lease deal for just $304 p/w. It’s a sleek and stylish electric wagon boasting an impressive amount of interior space, making it a thoroughly practical choice that’s kinder on the planet.
To find out more about novated leasing the Kia EV6 GT-Line phone Fleetcare today on 134 333 for an obligation-free chat.