I can obviously tell the difference between the focus hatch and wagon. But what makes a car a hatchback rather than a station wagon? For instance the WRX Sport Wagon, if I didn't know they called it a wagon I would think hatchback.
Technical difference between a hatch and a station wagon
BuckWyld
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I can obviously tell the difference between the focus hatch and wagon. But what makes a car a hatchback rather than a station wagon? For instance the WRX Sport Wagon, if I didn't know they called it a wagon I would think hatchback.
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Traditionally, a station wagon is a stretched sedan body with a rear hatch. This means that it should be significantly longer than other body styles, with more rear cargo capacity than a simple hatchback. However, this isn't always the case.
I would say that these days, a sedan-based hatchback (like the WRX or Dodge Magnum) is usually a wagon, while coupe-based hatches (ZX3, Civic) are hatchbacks. Then you get oddities like the ZX5, which is a coupe-based-sedan-based-hatchback.
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I would say that these days, a sedan-based hatchback (like the WRX or Dodge Magnum) is usually a wagon, while coupe-based hatches (ZX3, Civic) are hatchbacks. Then you get oddities like the ZX5, which is a coupe-based-sedan-based-hatchback.
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After driving in an SVT after flogging our wagon at Buttonwillow, I can sure tell you they handle differently!
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Wagon was much more 'flat', where the SVT wanted to turn-in more.
There were a ton of 5-door Mazda 3s out there on Saturday, I have to say that's more of a 5-door hatch than a traditional 'wagon', IMO. Kinda like a ZX5, it's not a wagon. It's a hatch with 5 doors.
Wagon was much more 'flat', where the SVT wanted to turn-in more.
There were a ton of 5-door Mazda 3s out there on Saturday, I have to say that's more of a 5-door hatch than a traditional 'wagon', IMO. Kinda like a ZX5, it's not a wagon. It's a hatch with 5 doors.
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I wouldn't consider the Magnum or the Impreza/WRX true wagons--their rear rooflines are either too low or too short (sloping back window) to maximize cargo space.
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My Talon is a hatchback. I think it might matter to the maker of the car on what they call it and how much cargo room there is.
It might also depend on how the rear door sits. On the Focus and my Talon, there angled, but the wagon Focus is vertical. I don't know really.
It might also depend on how the rear door sits. On the Focus and my Talon, there angled, but the wagon Focus is vertical. I don't know really.
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