Latest Wagon/Hatchback Reviews
2008 Saturn Astra XR Review
The new ad campaign for Saturn features a man walking into a Saturn dealer and promptly walking back out the door to take a second look at the sign and make sure he’s in the right place. The message is that Saturn’s got a whole new look — it’s sportier, sleeker and just plain cooler than you ever thought.
Read more2008 Volvo V70 Review
When I was young, station wagons were the family car to have. Volvo has long been a stalwart manufacturer of these cars, even when they went the way of jelly shoes. Times have changed, though, and today’s V70 is much sleeker and comes with a few more perks.
Read more2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Review
I had to learn all of the states, their capitals and, in some cases, their state motto back in elementary school. Remembrances of that got me thinking about what car my state would choose for its official vehicle. After a round of completely unscientific polling and observation, I’ve concluded that Colorado’s state car would be a Subaru.
Read more2008 Mazda CX-7 Review
The Mazda CX-7 is sleek and sexy from the outside in, a direct invitation for Mommy Guilt to intrude: “That car couldn’t possibly be functional, safe and flexible enough to accommodate your growing girls.” Hah! Turns out, Mazda stopped Mommy Guilt dead in her tracks with the CX-7.
Read more2007 Kia Rondo
In our house, no one could say this car’s name without rolling the “R” and stretching out the “O” at the end: “Rrrrrrrrondoooooo!” This added an element of fun and character missing in the car itself.
Read more2007 Mini Cooper
The Mini just might be the progressive, smart (think great gas mileage) and unconventional mom-mobile we’ve been searching for. Before writing this car off due to its perceived size — bigger isn’t always better, you know — slow down your shopping and broaden your vehicular horizons.
Read more2007 Toyota Prius
Most of the features on the Prius’ touch-screen information system can also be activated by voice. I love the idea of hands-free operation, but in reality, it usually requires me telling everyone in my car to please be quiet while I talk to the car. Yeah, I hear you laughing. That’s exactly what happens in my car, too.
Read more2007 Subaru Forester
The 2007 Subaru Forester reminds me of the Turbo Hoover of the ‘70s. After driving it, I now know what it would have been like to be a dust mite riding atop that spastic vacuum, as the two beasts have more in common than a Cyclops-looking front end.
Read more2007 Nissan Versa
Nissan has a new name on the block: Versa. I’m sure “Versa” is meant to imply “versatile,” but often my experience driving this little offering from Nissan more closely resembles “versus.”
Read more2007 Suzuki SX4
Equally as exciting (apparently, I don't get out much), I make a stop at Costco to stock up on family essentials and find I can fit one million rolls of TP in the back without having to leave my kids on the corner holding a sign that reads "free to a good home."
Read more2007 Honda Fit
I'm a believer that big things come in small packages. Especially come Christmastime. I've always dreamed of waking up on Christmas morning to be greeted by the coveted (and little) velvet box, just like on the commercials. I know what you're thinking, but that doesn't mean I should give up hope, you heartless people.
Read more2007 Suzuki SX4
I switch the car into "Intelligent" all-wheel drive, meaning that the car does the thinking and I stick to driving. Kind of like my crock pot. It intelligently and almost magically cooks my dinner (to perfection), and I can just focus on setting the table instead of setting off the smoke detectors. Needless to say, I am always intrigued by anything "intelligent," whether cooking or driving.
Read more2007 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited Wagon
I ask my husband if he wants to join the kids and I in taking the "Subie" out for a spin. And then it dawns on me. I have affectionately been referring to the Subaru Outback as "Subie," as if it she is the newest addition to our family. Because I don't dole out nicknames routinely, this air of familiarity demonstrates that the Subaru Outback has wormed its way into my heart.
Read more2007 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD
In some way, shape or form we make up for the things we like least about ourselves, whether it's make-up, clothes, personality, or any other myriad of tricks and treats. A perfect example of this is the 2007 Dodge's Caliber, dressing up as Inspector Gadget for Halloween.
Read more2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Sportcombi
Maybe your summertime reading includes something light, something in the romance genre? If your idea of the perfect review reads something like a Harlequin novel with Fabio on the cover, you're in luck (any help in the form of a fake, airy accent you must supply on your own).
Read more2006 Audi A6 Avant
I'm willing to swear Audi's been making perfect cars for women and moms since the wheel was invented. My husband understands perfectly when I tell him I am moving out of the house and into the car. It is comfortable, fast, nimble, and smart. It's that good, ladies.
Read more2007 Volkswagen Passat Estate
Has anybody noticed that car manufacturers are shying away from the use of the term 'station wagon?' Like, I'm returning to my estate for an elegantly prepared meal of foi groi and escargot (you have to say that with a fancy English accent). The alternative is hurrying home in my station wagon to beat the pizza delivery guy that I ordered dinner from on my cell phone during soccer practice.
Read more2006 Audi A3
The double sunroof tricks me into thinking that there is some room in here after all! Wow'di Audi! My kids love the added vantage point when admiring the skyscrapers downtown.
Read more2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT
As a mom, my personal space is violated consistently and starts to wear on me after a week of being inside during the winter. The best way to cope is to go for a drive in the 2006 Outback.
Read more2006 Volvo V50 T5 AWD
The Volvo V50 has this cool "ultra-slim center console" where the stereo and climate controls are. There's a small area behind it to put a small purse. Nifty! A place for my purse other than the passenger seat is the best design innovation since cupholders. I'm serious.
Read more2006 Mazda A6
I immediately dim the red-lighted dash which I find annoying. The color red is hunger inducing ... now I can blame my binging of left-over Halloween candy (a sacrifice I am only willing to make for the sake of my son and his oral health, of course) on this phenomenon.
Read more2006 Volvo V70 R
Here's a curious fact: The Volvo logo is the male gender symbol. You know, the circle with the arrow pointing up and to the right. Why not the female gender symbol? Also the symbol for Venus and Copper, the circle with a cross pointing down could be a great new 21st Century image update for Volvo.
Read more2006 BMW 530 xi Sport Wagon
I have the uncanny ability (gift or curse?) of sniffing out good and bad Latch connector designs from a mile away. These actually work! BMW must have a new mom on their design and engineering team who goes through the hassle of installing car seats on a regular basis.
Read more2005 Toyota Prius
I have a tendency to compare cars to music, but some things in life deserve their own theme song. Naturally, when driving around in the Toyota Prius, that infamous wedding song/dance "The Electric Slide" comes to mind for its, well, hybrid gas-electric power.
Read more2005 Kia Spectra 5
After driving around comparing cars for the past year, the Kia Spectra 5 is like having a plain vanilla ice cream cone; no nuts, no toppings, no cherry on top. It's just another car.
Read more2005 Mazda 3 S 5-Door
I have to give credit to the Mazda designers for creating the largest glove compartment space I've seen. It's so vast. Hello in there.... echo, echo, echo. OK, it's not THAT big but it is large enough to store a laptop, tons of CDs and maybe even a small army.
Read more2005 Jaguar X-Type Estate
Driving around in the 2005 Jaguar X-Type Estate is such a delight. The Jaguar (pronounced in my family as Jag-you-hour) is a luxurious escape from my not-so- lavish life, and it's just plain fun to say, Jag-you-hour.
Read more2005 Suzuki Forenza EX Wagon
When it comes to name brands, whether it is fashion, food or cars, somehow the less popular get lost in translation. Perhaps the 2005 Suzuki Forenza Wagon isn't as trendy or hip as other more recognizable vehicles, but there's a lot this economical wagon has to offer.
Read more2005 Volvo XC70 AWD A SR
When I think of station wagons, I recall the funny stories of my mom and her siblings in their mother's station wagon they nicknamed "the batmobile." Complete with wood paneling and a mustard-yellow paint job, I shunned the notion that I would ever drive one — until I met the XC70.
Read more2005 Volvo V50 and XC90
I recently traveled 300 kilometers above the Arctic Circle to test the Volvo V50 and XC90 on the ice tracks. OK, the real truth is that 13 hours in the plane each way without kids was quite appealing to me. A good book, some mindless magazines and a long nap would do any mom a world of good.
Read more2005 Volvo V50 T5 AWD
Sure, it's a descendant of our mom's station wagon used to bring us home from soccer practice in time to partake in a lovely crockpot or fondue dinner. But the station wagon has evolved over the years into a new species that is stylish and functional enough to meet our generation's high standards.
Read more2005 Dodge Magnum RT
There's no doubt that with its HEMI-powered engine the 2005 Dodge Magnum RT is marketed towards our male counterparts. It's quite comical if you think about it: A man's station wagon? Well, those guys are just now catching onto something us women folk have known for a very long time. Station wagons equal practicality. The Magnum is no exception.
Read more2005 Saab 9-2X Aero
I admit I try to do it all. I'm a wife and a stay-at home mom who squeezes in a career as an automotive journalist and business owner between diaper changes and play dates. I fantasize about escaping it all for a quiet weekend of R&R at a B&B. I can't have that as much as I'd like, so I settle for a few moments of motorized meditation while my kids sleep in the car. Unfortunately, this isn't possible in the all-new 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero.
Read more2005 Subaru Outback
My first impression of the Subaru Outback 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition is that it isn't my mama's station wagon. There's no pea-green paint elegantly inlaid with wood paneling. And much to my disappointment, there isn't a rear-facing jump seat in the cargo area (my favorite childhood spot for planning mischief).
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