2003 BMW 325xi Sport Wagon

The rear seat has a ski pass-through, and folds in a 60/40 split.

In the rear, under a lid, is a full-size spare tire—on an alloy wheel just like the other four—and a tool kit and safety equipment. A plastic bowl that fits inside the spare provides a clean storage spot for small items. The lid that covers all this has a hook and strap that will hold it up when it's open.


And, on top of it all, the driving experience really does live up to that claim of "Ultimate Driving Machine." Those who think that all cars must pretty much drive alike haven't been behind the wheel of a BMW, and its driving behavior and feel can be an eye-opening experience. The build quality is flawless, doors shut with machine-like precision, the engine is eerily smooth and yet fast, and you really do have to take hold of the steering to understand how good it feels going down the road.


The truth is, most people have probably never driven a car that feels this good in the steering, handles this well going straight or around corners, provides this level of braking performance, and gives such a comfortable and confident impression of being able to handle whatever the vagaries of travel may throw at it. With the utility value of a wagon, the all-weather capability of the all-wheel drive, handling better than a lot of so-called "sport coupes," and safety performance that's as good as it gets, the BMW 325xi Sport Wagon is one of the most complete cars on the planet. (www.bmwusa.com)