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By: JOE PHILLIPS COMMENTS
 
Kids. Dogs. Beach treks. Weekend antiquing. All good reasons to own a handy hauler.
But scratch a minivan off your list. Today, hatchbacks and crossovers are what’s hot. Even station wagons are staging a comeback.
With hot looks, high-tech options and comfy yet sporty handling, all the vehicles below are top picks. Oh, and they’re loaded with cargo room — the main reason to buy a hauler in the first place.
Price: $29,000
Mpg: 17 city/24 highway
Cargo room: 83 cubic feet
Taking boxy-is-beautiful styling cues from the Scion xB, the fashionistas at Ford finally created a hot head-turner. Four horizontal grooves run along the doors, tinted glass is standard on all rear windows, and an optional white or silver roof can be ordered to contrast with whatever body color you choose. Despite its squat stance, the seven-seat Flex — part crossover, part wagon — is long and tall. That means lots of leg-, head- and cargo room. It also means a smooth ride, especially on freeways. Around town, the Flex is almost too flexible when taking sharp curves. Luckily, there’s traction/stability control and optional all-wheel drive. Three trim levels all come with rear climate control, power driver seat, rear-parking sensors, 10 cup holders and cubbyholes galore. Options include heated power-folding second-row seats, backup camera and the popular SYNC system that displays navigation, weather, movies and even gas prices on an 8-inch touch screen. “Coolest” option: a refrigerator that holds six beverages; runs even when the Flex is off; and shuts down before draining the battery. It even makes its own ice, faster than a regular fridge.
Price: $20,000
Mpg: 20 city/26 highway
Cargo room: 68 cubic feet
A gay and lesbian fave since its debut 11 years ago, the Forester gets a major redo. It’s longer, wider and taller than before, with more ground clearance. And it’s less expensive — a big plus in today’s economy. Gone is the 1950s Soviet-bloc styling, replaced by rounded edges and a sleek wraparound grille. The ride is quiet and steady and the cabin is more upscale. Well, sort of. Lots of hard plastic trim may be easy to clean, but seems a tad cheap. Still, the swooping dash — with large screen for the optional nav system — is spot-on. There’s also more backseat legroom and great visibility for the driver. You get a choice of two capable, though tepid, four-cylinder engines. Of all the haulers here, this crossover handles potholes and stop-and-go traffic best, thanks in part to the all-wheel drive, traction/stability control and panic brake assist.
Price: $17,000
Mpg: 26 city/32 highway
Cargo room: 62 cubic feet
If downsizing is in, then the Matrix hatchback is top-drawer. It’s sporty yet unobtrusive, built on the same solid platform as the popular Corolla. The base model is a real gas-sipper. Other versions get the new 158-hp four-cylinder: perky, but with no obnoxious exhaust rumble. That’s a good thing, because this is a practical hauler, not a tuner car. Handling and cornering are primo, especially on the top-end model, with its firmer springs and shocks. All versions come with choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Inside, the handsome dash is Saab-like, with a cascading layout for the nav system, gauges and gear shifter. Both back seats and the front passenger seat fold flat for max storage. And this being Toyota, build quality and long-term reliability rock.
Price: $20,000
Mpg: 21 city/29 highway
Cargo room: 66 cubic feet
Are wagons just too old-school? Not to VW, which is leading a bit of a renaissance with its new SportWagen (yes, with an “e”). This compact hits showrooms next month, with a low-slung nose, ribbed grille and gently arching tailgate. The steering, suspension and braking are pure German, which means taut and sure. The interior is Audi-like, with form-fitting seats, brushed-aluminum trim and lots of high-end options. The best of these: a huge two-pane glass sunroof that spans the front seats back to the cargo hold. The front panel tilts or opens completely, and there’s a full-length, power-operated vinyl shade to block out the rays. The car comes with a choice of three engines: five-cylinder, turbo four-cylinder and an upcoming diesel, which likely will average 40-plus mpg. If all wagons were this fine, they’d rule the road.
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