Are you looking for all the advantages of an SUV but in a smaller package? BMW may have the answer in the form of its 2006 BMW 530xi wagon. The 2006 model of the wagon is the first 5 series wagon offering from BMW in two years.

The 530xi is almost a hybrid of the 530i and X3 or X5. The wagon utilizes a similar all wheel drive system from their popular SUV and attaches that to their 255hp 3L inline 6 cylinder engine. Weighing in at more than 4000 lbs, the wagon is considerably heavier than the sedan version. BMW has attributed this to the all wheel drive system and the redesigned body.

The 530xi comes standard with Bluetooth wireless technology, all season traction, dynamic stability control, dynamic brake control and other BMW systems. Starting at $51,400, a consumer can easily run the car price north of $60,000 with options. As usual with BMW, most everything is an option and those options do not come cheap.

Even though the 530xi cannot compete with the 530i in performance or fuel economy, it is still a model to consider. Most consumers looking to buy the wagon will be comparing it to an SUV like the X5. In that instance, the wagon performs much better than the X5 in the same categories. Most SUV owners do not go off-road so the 530xi wagon should satisfy all their needs.