Station wagons are all the rage among gearheads these days, and the Ford Transit Connect Wagon aims to capitalize on that popularity with a unique mix of utility and efficiency. More...

Isn’t nice to get something you asked for? We think so. We’ve been big fans of Acura’s sporty TSX sedan since it was introduced, a true sport sedan, with moves that would make a BMW envious, combined with Acura quality, reliability and affordable pricing. How good is it?  Take a look for a used Acura TSX, and you’ll find that they hold their value exceptionally well.

As much of fans that we were, we always thought…gee, an Acura TSX Wagon would be nice. While crossovers and mini sport-utes have been selling like crazy, small wagons have had an on-again, off-again, relationship with the buying public. It may be partially due to the increasing costs of gas, or just the fact the people have been spoiled by the utility crossover offers—but small wagons are once again getting popular.

For Acura, bringing in the TSX Wagon was probably a pretty easy thing to do. In Europe, the TSX is the Honda Accord.  And Europeans love small wagons. So voila! You asked for it, you got it. Acura TSX Wagon.

To start, this is one great looking wagon. The second generation TSX has a longer, lower, wider look to it, and extending the line from the rear doors back just adds to that feeling. From the rear, the TSX Wagon looks especially wide and low, and seeing an Acura badge on a wagon caused a lot of passersby to do a double take. More...

Ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi wagon has been revealed online. The first image to be released shows a rather striking, rakish appearance that demonstrates more style finesse than the previous, long-lived 9-5 wagon.

Expected Stateside for the 2012 model year, the 9-5 SportCombi brings newfound versatility to the new 9-5 sedan. With the rear seatbacks lowered, the cargo space extends 6.5-feet. The cargo floor is flat, without intrusions from the suspension, as found on most competitors. Under the floor is additional storage, with space dependent on whether the model is equipped with a spare tire or just the tire repair kit.

The real trick for the 9-5 SportCombi is an available with a power liftgate with programmable height. So, the driver can set the liftgate to only open to a certain point to accommodate clearance, such as in a low-ceilinged garage. The height is adjusted via a rotary knob. Like other power tailgates, it can be opened with a button push from the car or via the key fob.

The 9-5 SportCombi will be otherwise offered with the same powertrain and features as the sedan, currently on sale. More...

Nissan marketers, promoting their redesigned Quest, wonder if 2011 might be the “year of the minivan.” A similar question could be asked about wagons. Both body styles have shrunk in popularity, due far more to issues of image than to disappointment with their practical virtues.

Minivans, which first appeared in the Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth lineup in 1984, enjoyed a resounding surge of popularity through the late 1980s and ‘90s. As the 21st century loomed, however, the gloss was mostly gone. Minivans were perceived as the province of family-focused “soccer moms,” at a time when women were seeking broader roles.

Station wagons–which dropped the “station” prefix decades ago–have a checkered history in the American market. Introduced by the 1920s as a practical people-carrier, often used to carry passengers to and from railroad stations, the wagon hit its heyday in the suburban world of postwar America. As the “baby boom” generation went through childhood in America’s suburbs of the Fifties, chances are, the automobile in the driveway or carport was a station wagon. Most likely, a big wagon, with a mighty V-8 engine and rear-facing third-row seats, so the youngsters could see where they’d just been.

During the first decade of the 21st century, most manufacturers abandoned wagons, though they remained popular in Europe–highly prized for their sensible characteristics. In the smaller-scale segments of the market, vehicles that might once have been considered small wagons are more likely to be branded hatchbacks, or even small crossover vehicles. Evidently, the term “wagon” itself suffers from an image problem similar to the derisive attitudes toward minivans. More...

Green is the automotive color for 2011, reflecting the fuel economy and emissions on today’s vehicles. Consumers are increasingly sensitive to both environmental and oil consumption issues, and they are definitely concerned about the green in their wallet. Consequently, fuel economy is a more prominent factor in purchases, but making a green choice doesn’t mean the same for all shoppers.

America’s highways pulse with diversity, reflecting our national sense of individuality, desire for freedom, and the multitude of purposes cars fulfill. For some shoppers, the right answer is a small, commuter car, while some businesses need a cargo van.

To help point you toward the most fuel-efficient vehicles in every category, we have reviewed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures and present the list below. Diesels and hybrids dominate, with six-speed and continuously variable transmissions clearly playing a key role.

Scan the list to see which are the thriftiest cars in every class. Should you want more information, dig into our fact-filled new-car buyer’s guide and read our latest reviews. More...

At the national press event for the 2011 Acura TSX Wagon, officials announced that pricing would start at $30,960 (plus $860 destination), reflecting a $1,350 premium over the updated 2011 TSX sedan. Also making an appearance was the updated 2011 RL sporting a less-monolithic grille, thank goodness.

The wagon delivers that performance, luxury, and technology that have made the sedan so appealing, with the added benefit of increased cargo space and flexibility. The wagon will be offered solely with the 2.4-liter, 201-hp four-cylinder engine with a sequential-shift five-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain promises 30 mpg on the highway, while delivering entertaining performance. The V6 is not in the cards, leaving the big engine exclusive to the sedan.

Standard features include a power glass moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a premium sound system with a USB port and auxiliary jack. Notable upgrades include an eight-inch navigation system with real-time traffic and weather, as well as a premium sound system with a hard drive for music storage. More...