Help Mikey get to one car

[Mike]

Very similar criteria to what I was looking at prior to my CX-5.

Legacy Wagons are getting a little old, but they fit your criteria. GTs are fast but awful MPG.
I wouldnt get an Impreza wagon (or any other compact hatchback), they are too small for carseats in the back.

TSX wagon is probably your best bet aside from awd. 20k might be a stretch though, Ive seen them for around 24k. I would have seriously considered one but the tech in them is circa 2007.

There are 06+ awd 3 series wagons all day for under 20k, but they guzzle premium fuel.

You do owe yourself a test drive of a CX-5. I consider SUV/CUVs to be just as soul-crushing, but Mazda really nailed the handling better than I thought possible in a crossover. Read my project thread for the 7 month impression.

Thanks for details on compact wagons. I suppose I'll eliminate those then. Never liked Legacies much at all. The few I'm been in feel like a Camry. So I'm okay with eliminating them on account of efficiency and age.

TSX wagon does interest me, but yeah, that car hasn't changed in a LONG time. A3 is of similar tech-age. I do owe it to myself to give one a drive, but HARD TO FIND.

I have enjoyed your thread on the CX-5. I will promise to at least take a look at one.