What makes it a Station Wagon debate?

A Station Wagon is built on a passenger car frame or floor pan and bridges the gap between a car and a utility type truck/panel van. Pretty easy here as most wagons we are familiar with fit this definition. Think of the wagons from the 40s-80s even into the 90s in some cases. Examples of the floor pan inspired wagons, Taurus, Subaru Sport Wagons, Ford Escorts, Rambler Americans etc.

What makes it harder now are the SUVs and Crossovers. An SUV is a wagon type vehicle built on a truck chassis. This was originally done to skirt CAFE. People wanted a wagon type vehicle but the EPA penalized the manufacturer if they had one in the passenger car line-up. The SUV was born, wagon type room no EPA penalty. The Crossover is an SUV built on a passenger car chassis. Back to old wagon definition with a new name as marketing feels the Station Wagon moniker is the kiss of death.

SUVs are not Station Wagons they are more panel vans with windows and seats, Crossovers are they are passenger cars modified for more interior and cargo room.

If a manufacturer calls their model a wagon, then it is a Station Wagon even if it does fit the definition.

 

Found this: Note where it states built to be a wagon..

 

More grey area from the "Ministry of truth".

Not shooting the messenger 'cadipacer'. I believe the above was nothing more than a marketing program to sell a product.
So, the question is... does it qualify to establish the Jeep Wagoneer as a true wagon?

 

So is a sedan delivery a wagon? No seats in the way back, no side windows..............

I consider it a wagon but if we're gona split hairs

 

Marketing is claiming its a wagon by a known Major Company.
The defination to JEEP is that its a wagon by any standard, if not more so.

 

Tedy, I made my statement in post#1. I believe that even the SUV is a wagon because it fills the same need as the Wagons of old.
Same too for the Wagoneer btw.

 

Based on that last comment and some cob web clearing from my conscious brain, Jairus,
I now see your broader point. In the broad sense, I agree with the SUV is 'today's' wagons.
So, as to the other thread's question about 'how many wagons in our area?', there are tons! Proving
that people still like the idea and practicality of a wagon. Sadly, in my opinion, this did little
to save the LTD and big GM B platforms from losing ground to the SUV and mini van markets.
I think the media, as well as the marketeers in the big three, saw the potential in selling the
folks that 'station wagons' were impractical and gas hogs. the media for their own lofty ideals;
the manufacturers because of the CAFE and smog regulation. They could build truck based
platforms with fewer restrictions, in larger quantities, on slowly evolving platforms, throw in a
bit of sound deadening plus some luxo-and safety features and BOOM! continue selling
people station wagons; showing black, rather than red, ink on the production sheets.
For that, I am grateful. Of course, it didn't hurt that my big Suburban was still in the sub-35k
range, close to that of a Buick or Olds wagon, 3-4 years old when I bought new in '99.

 

Mark, as you mention...price, I wonder if that had alot to do with it. I bout new in 99 my honey's GMC Saffari van. Why?, because it "new" was still alot cheaper than a used Buick/Chev whale wagon.

I recently got my honey a new 2011 Escape, I prefered and tryed to push the Flex on her but she declined. Wasn't long ago my honey mentioned she has allways liked the Flex because it was more of a station wagon but as she told me well after the fact... the cost differnce was the reason she calimed to not like the Flex knowing I would have bout one.


And just to clear up some of the mini van myths, you can put a 4'x8' sheet of plywood in a GMC Saffari/Chev Astro mini van and close the back doors. Full frame RWD, they also had a AWD option for a few years

 

Nowadays we would consider that type of vehicle to an SUV, but at the time of manufacture, Jeep considered in a Station Wagon, so it's a wagon. The manufacturer determines what is and isn't a wagon, that is why the definition is a moving target. Vehicles range in size from small (Rambler American, Pinto) to large (Buick Roadmasters, Full size Chevys, Pontiacs, Chryslers etc.) two doors, four doors, hard tops, 2 seat 3 seat etc. Jeep pushed the envelope and gave America a new way to look at Wagons. In the 80s and 90s the manufactures took that vehicle, built it on a truck platform and called it an SUV. It flew below the CAFE requirement and sold like crazy.