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ultimate road-tripper" ???
I had better preface this with "I tried to make a case for myself with the JSW as our solution, but multiple test drives just left us feeling missing things we wanted"
I seriously have to disagree with the "ultimate" in terms of "road-tripper".
While it may be great for fuel economy, and some decent cargo space, those 2 items alone do not qualify anything as ultimate for long trips.
To me there are a number of factors and this is from my road trips which are generally a minimum of 450 mile weekends to 7000 mile 2-3 week versions all across the US in any and all weather.
Fuel Range = JSW
Purchase price = JSW
Any other factor easily goes to several other vehicles most of which would be wagons to keep the cargo space and handling close, or better.
What's a JSW cost, $30k totally loaded +/- insignificant amount.
What did my 2008 BMW 535xi Touring cost? $39,000 out the door and my warranty is 2x longer than a VW and up to 100,000 miles. All service also covered up to 4yrs/50k.
I get 25mpg driving "however I please", 22 mpg fully loaded down, 21 cubic foot cargo box + 2 bikes on roof, or nothing on the roof, 70 mph avg, 27-28 mpg. Premium is generally the same $ as ULSD...or lower, depending on your area but I'll just say it's equal.
I can haul WAY more volume (width and length too) of stuff than the JSW, I can haul more weight and more safely with the load leveling rear suspension and I can tow more, more safely. I have a 2" hitch as well.
Safety, heavier is safer and so is distance between me and the perimeter of the car so while the 5 series got a weird number for driver side impact, it was due to driver seating position and not the car design. Still, I'd rather have the space and inertia that a larger car provides for safety. MY 2nd row doors have the optional air bags too for our family trips.
All wheel drive...well, a 4 motion JSW would be cool, but it's not available. The AWD allows me to go anywhere, anytime.
6 spd manual, gotta have it, both of these wagons have it but if that's a requirement, the pickins are slim in the USA.
Creature comfort :
Long trips beg for comfort - the JSW may be an ok car, but super awesome comfortable it is not. This BMW has the 20 way multi adjustable "comfort" seats and they are truly awesome. My back seats are better than the JSW front seats.
Sound- long trips get annoying if the interior is noisy, the JSW may be better than out 2003 MkIV Jetta, but it's a long way from being "quiet". I can have perfect bluetooth phone calls at any speed without my caller being annoyed.
Driving fun and handling:
No comparison really, this wagon is so fluid and planted. Passengers can nap at 150 mph as it's still so quiet and solid.
Little things, like materials and classy bits:
I like rear windows that drop all the way into the door. I like all 4 windows to be "one touch up and down", my rear hatch glass opens separate from the hatch door if I need quick access or if bikes are on the hitch rack. The interior materials are top notch.
Why am I ranting, because I'm pissed that I can't have both high end car, even from the used market, in addition to high mpg.
Why don't we get the tdi Passat wagon ????? Why not the tdi A6 Avant ????? and yes, why not a 520d bmw wagon.
The JSW is a nice little car fairly affordable new, but it is no way an ultimate road tripper. It is an ultimate commuter car.
