1985's station wagon shootout: Quantum, Caravan, Parati, Scala, Panorama and Marajó

Back in December 1985, when Brazilian families still did their holiday traveling by car, Quatro Rodas rounded up the six station wagons then on local sale — the VW Quantum CG and Parati GLS, Chevrolet Caravan Diplomata and Marajó SL, Ford Scala Ghia and Fiat Panorama CL — for a wide-ranging group test. Wagons ruled that era of road trips; today the bodystyle has vanished from Brazil's new-car market, displaced by SUVs.

On outright pace, the Caravan Diplomata was untouchable. Its 4.1-litre inline-six hauled the 1,224 kg Chevrolet to 174.3 km/h and through 0-100 km/h in 12.2 s. The little Parati 1.6 claimed second ahead of the Quantum 1.8, with the Marajó, Panorama and Scala trailing; the Ford's slightly higher top speed couldn't offset a sprint to 100 km/h nearly two seconds slower than the Fiat's, earning it the lowest mark.

Efficiency told the opposite story. The thirsty six-cylinder returned the worst figures, while the Panorama (13.45 km/l) and Parati (13.41 km/l) led the highway averages. Volkswagen's engines, paired with crisp, well-spaced five-speed gearboxes, won that discipline, whereas the Caravan was handicapped by only four ratios. Braking proved uniformly solid across the six, the Parati showed the most cohesive dynamic package, the Quantum took styling and comfort honors, the Parati again had the best driving position, and the Scala boasted the clearest instrument panel.

Practicality and price rounded out the verdict. With the cargo divider removed, the Quantum led with 796 litres against 774 for the Caravan and 768 for the Scala, while the Marajó managed just 469 litres. List prices in December 1985 ran from about Cr$ 44 million for the Marajó to Cr$ 115 million for the Caravan — roughly R$ 66,000-172,000 in 2017 money.