Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2000

Luxury Station Wagon

Winner: BMW 5 Series

Station wagons are actually cool these days, appealing to the growing contingent of anti-SUV consumers that wants cargo-carrying capability but none of the compromises in performance and ride that come with most truck-based sport-utes. BMW's excellent, but expensive, 5 Series wagon is the antithesis of the sport-utility vehicle. Choose either the 528i with its 193-hp, twin-cam inline six, or the ground pounding 540i for its 282-hp V8. The stiff premium paid for the 540 may be worth it to enthusiasts who can brag that they own the fastest station wagon sold in America. Others will be happy with the smooth, refined and significantly less expensive 528, the only BMW wagon available with either a stick or automatic. By selecting the 5 Series wagon, you get all the benefits of owning a BMW, with none of the detriments of the traditional station wagon. This family truckster behaves just like the 5 Series sedan; the only indication from behind the wheel that you're piloting a vehicle capable of carrying up to 65 cubic feet of cargo is the reflection you find in the rearview mirror. If we were to buy a luxury station wagon, this Bimmer would be ours.