KansasCity.com's view

“What, a station wagon?” No matter where I drove BMW’s hunkered-down, fat-tired 528i sport wagon, people responded with a similar comment. I guess wagons just aren’t cool in these days of monster SUVs, but I’ve always liked them.

So do many Europeans, who buy them in much greater numbers than we do. European manufacturers seem to be the leading developers of sporty station wagons, based on cars from Volvo, Saab, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. I find sport wagons appealing because you get a car with the balanced handling and performance of a sports sedan while maintaining the hauling capability of a small SUV.

In the past, BMW offered a 5-series wagon called the Touring, but it has been gone since the introduction of the current 5-series in 1997. Now the wagon is back, in two forms: the 528i and the 540i. The 540i has a 282-horsepower V8, a 5-speed automatic transmission and a $53,480 base price. BMW says that is the fastest wagon in America.

The 528i, which I drove, has a 2.8-liter, 6-cylinder engine with 193 horsepower and a 5-speed manual standard. It has a base price of $40,700.

While there is no doubt that the 540i wagon would be loads of fun and extremely quick, the 528i, with 193 horsepower, is really the more practical alternative in terms of affordability.

What set our test car apart from run-of-the-mill station wagons is the Sport Premium Package: 17-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires, sport suspension, self-leveling rear suspension, wood trim, leather seats, metallic paint and an M-Sport steering wheel. Add in options of a power sunroof and a retractable load floor and the sticker price of our test car was bumped perilously close to $50,000.

Nevertheless, the 528i sport wagon is a terrific piece of work. Diehard enthusiasts think an in-line, 6-cylinder engine is close to being the ideal configuration for driving pleasure, and the one in the 528i is a great example. This dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), 24-valve unit revs easily and sounds lik e a sports car. Even though it makes 193 horsepower, variable valve timing (VANOS) maximizes the power across the rpm range. It accelerates to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, according to BMW’s figures, and has a top speed of 128 mph.

BMWs have always appealed to folks who like to be involved with driving. The 5-speed manual transmission works with such precision that it’s a delight to grab the lever for each shift, and the steering feel is nearly perfect.

When driven quickly, the 528i wagon feels smaller than it actually is, due in large measure to its firm suspension and 17-inch wheels. Braking performance is even more impressive.

A car in this price segment is not just about performance, however. It is about luxury, too. The 528i’s brand of luxury is more spare, certainly, than a Lincoln Town Car, but sumptuous nevertheless. The seats are covered in glove-soft leather and felt as if they were molded especially for me. Under -thigh support, often lacking in competitive cars, was ideal. The wood trim is real, and plentiful.

Instrumentation, long a BMW strong suit, continues to be elegantly simple. The one exception is a stereo system that takes at least a day to get comfortable with.

The 5-series has window buttons on the doors, where I think they belong, but the central locking button is still on the console. At least both driver and passenger can reach it there.

Cupholders, that uniquely American feature, are a bit flimsy and don’t hold big cups at all.

Around back, the one-piece rear hatch pivots at the top and reveals a generously sized opening for cargo. The cargo load floor lifts up to reveal a nice little storage bin with adjustable partitions. Our test car had a roll-out load floor that I thought was very clever. Not only does it make loading the trunk easier, it provides a nice surface for tailgating.

Folding down the back seats was a one-touch operation, and it wa not necessary to remove the rear-seat headrests as it is in so many other wagons and hatchbacks. User-friendly designs like this enhance a station wagon’s appeal and its versatility.

The 528i wagon has some outstanding safety features. BMW’s unique Head Protection System is a tubular airbag that inflates across the side window to cushion the head in side impacts. Seat-mounted side airbags are standard for front-seat passengers and optional for those in back. Anti-lock brakes are standard, as is traction control.

Price
The base price of our test car was $40,700. Options included the Sport Premium Package ($4,800), power glass sunroof ($1,050) and retractable load floor ($380). Add in freight of $570 and the sticker price comes to $48,000.

Warranty
Four years or 50,000 miles.

Point: Sport station wagons are an ideal marriage of fun and function because they can haul moderate loads, yet are responsive to drive. The 528i’s 6-cylinder engine is not overly powerful but makes the wagon a joy to drive.

Counterpoint: Except for a complicated stereo system, there is very little to criticize about the 528i wagon.

SPECIFICATIONS:
ENGINE: 2.8-liter, 6-cyl.
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed
CONFIGURATION: Rear-wheel drive
WHEELBASE: 111.4 inches
CURB WEIGHT: 3,726 lbs.
BASE PRICE: $40,700
PRICE AS DRIVEN: $48,000
MPG RATING: 18 city, 26 hwy.