Yeah, good question.
Had an 80 series wagon, loved it but sold it because I thought a ute would be better, so bought the Hilux.
Had to sell the ute because I was forced into a company wagon (Prado).
Left that job and bought a Pajero wagon because I was loving the wagon and preferred it to the Hilux ute (which, to me, are totally overrated).
Now selling the wagon to buy a ute (GMC Sierra) because I need the tow capacity. But, getting a full canopy, so it's really the wagon you're having when you're not having a wagon...
For me, the up sides to a ute compared to a wagon are:
- Load carrying - firewood, furniture, whatever [we personally don't need that sort of carrying capacity any more]
- Usually sit a bit higher, so better ground clearance
- Bit more flexibility to play with the suspension
- You can park in loading zones
- Smelly loads don't waft through the cabin - just ask me about the time I spilt diesel in the back of the Pajero...
- It's a work vehicle - who cares if it gets scratched?
- It's a work vehicle - who cares if you've got half of Big Red on the floor?
The up sides to a wagon compared to a ute are:
- Everything is locked away inside, away from prying eyes
- More back seat leg room (except the big American utes which have a back seat big enough for its own postcode)
- More refined ride
- Quieter inside
- Usually better equipped
- Rego is usually cheaper as they aren't classed as commercial vehicles
- Insurance is usually cheaper
- You don't have relatives/friends/people you've never met before pestering you to help them move house
- Towing capacities are usually realistic (unlike the utes which typically overstate their towing capacity by about 500kg)(except the big American utes which are built for towing)
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what's driving your decision at the time. I liked my Hilux, but never thought that it was worth what it cost and the "ute compromises" were not worth the benefits. I've loved my wagons, but there not a wagon out there that will give me the towing capacity I need, so it's back to a ute.
Having said that, the Sierra is more truck than ute and it's finished and equipped to wagon standard and with a canopy it will be virtually a wagon anyway.
