The new tradesman panel-wagons like the Ram ProMaster City, Transit Connect, NV200 and Mercedes Metris are great utilitarian vehicles that offer great fuel economy but still offer enough space for the occasional mini-RV use. Unfortunately, as good as they may be for a road trip, they aren't great offroad.
From what I can tell, the Fiat Doblo based Ram ProMaster City offers independent front and rear suspension, so it could be lifted but its only offered as a FWD, and the Metris while available in AWD overseas hasn't even hit our shores yet in FWD. The full-size Transit is fuel efficienct and offers plenty of space, but wrenching on one looks to be a challenge. Oh, and pricing is a whole other ballgame.
The Element is pretty close to what I'm looking for, just a bit too short. The AstroSafari is pretty much spot on, but working on one is not like working on a Subaru Outback. Subaru should build an van based on the Outback, then I'd be sold.
Is there anything I'm missing, either used, current or future vehicle that combines the utility of a van, the driving dynamics and fuel efficiency of a wagon, the ease of maintenance as a truck or car, but is still AWD and can be lifted?
From what I can tell, the Fiat Doblo based Ram ProMaster City offers independent front and rear suspension, so it could be lifted but its only offered as a FWD, and the Metris while available in AWD overseas hasn't even hit our shores yet in FWD. The full-size Transit is fuel efficienct and offers plenty of space, but wrenching on one looks to be a challenge. Oh, and pricing is a whole other ballgame.
The Element is pretty close to what I'm looking for, just a bit too short. The AstroSafari is pretty much spot on, but working on one is not like working on a Subaru Outback. Subaru should build an van based on the Outback, then I'd be sold.
Is there anything I'm missing, either used, current or future vehicle that combines the utility of a van, the driving dynamics and fuel efficiency of a wagon, the ease of maintenance as a truck or car, but is still AWD and can be lifted?