As for safety, however, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave a top 5-star rating

Mazda dependability may be an issue when compared to the likes of Honda, but for many this cool wagon is worth the reliability risk. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

for both the driver and front-seat passenger in its frontal crash-test of 2003 Mazda6 sedan. What that means is there's a 10-percent or less chance of a serious injury in a 35-mph frontal crash. While the new wagon hasn't been tested yet, it should receive a similar rating for frontal crashes as the sedan did, being that it is identical from the B-pillar forward. In the end, the Mazda 6 wagon might not be as dependable as a Honda Accord wagon, for instance, but sometimes there's a price to pay for being one of the coolest parents on the block. The only competitors I see that rival it in wow factor but still lag behind in expected dependability, according to J.D. Power's VDS study, are Dodge's new Magnum and Volvo's V50. The former should be more reliable than the latter, again based on J.D. Power's survey, while Volkswagen's Passat wagon, another that is impressive when it comes to styling, driving dynamics and interior quality, is made by a brand that sits near the bottom (33rd

All of a sudden there is a lot of competition in the wagon market, but the Mazda6 can easily hold its own. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

out of 37 nameplates) of the aforementioned dependability list. You be the judge. What do I think? Personally, I'm lured in by the heroic power of the Dodge Magnum HEMI and think its styling is awesome, in an in-your-face intimidating sort of way. But the fuel economy of a V8, even with the brand's innovative cylinder deactivation, would be hard on my budget. At the other end of the spectrum I really like the Volvo V50, and might opt for it if the Swedish automaker would offer it here with the same feisty turbodiesel I drove at its launch in Spain last year. They probably won't, but it's still an enticing prospect. I should also make mention that Audi's A4 Avant falls into the same price range, but it's a base model compared to almost fully loaded versions of the other cars, less the Volvo. That leaves a Mazda6 wagon. This is a great car. Great style, great performance and great functionality... man am I glad I don't have to make up my mind anytime soon.