Are the Chassis of Station Wagons Higher Than Those of Sedans?
2 Answers
In most cases, the chassis of station wagons are higher than those of sedans. Here is some relevant information about station wagons: Advantages of station wagons: They combine the comfort and handling of sedans with the rear loading capacity of SUVs. Generally, station wagons are developed based on sedans, such as the Audi A4 allroad and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate. Because station wagons share the same chassis as sedans, their handling and comfort are very similar. At the same time, by raising the height of the trunk to be level with the roof, the overall loading space of the trunk is significantly increased, comparable to that of an SUV. This allows for more luggage and items to be accommodated during travel. Introduction to station wagons: Station wagons offer the comfort and handling of sedans while also featuring a large-sized trunk similar to SUVs. This enables them to meet both passenger comfort needs and loading requirements, which is the key difference between station wagons and SUVs.
I've driven various brands of sedans and station wagons for decades, and generally, the chassis of a station wagon isn't significantly higher than that of a regular sedan. Most station wagons are actually developed on sedan platforms, such as the Volkswagen Golf Variant and the Toyota Camry Wagon, with ground clearances typically around 150-170 mm, similar to their sedan counterparts. They share the same chassis and suspension systems during design to maintain handling stability and cost efficiency. However, some station wagons with an off-road bias, like the Subaru Outback or Volvo V90 Cross Country, intentionally raise the chassis to 180-200 mm, making them suitable for rough terrain. I once drove a Ford Mondeo Wagon in the countryside and found it slightly better on bumpy roads, yet it remained stable in turns compared to a sedan, without compromising daily comfort. Overall, the chassis height of standard station wagons doesn't vary much, primarily depending on the model's positioning and whether it includes an off-road package.
