Circling the wagons at the New York auto show (photos)

For those wanting a fast hauler, Cadillac will make the CTS-V Sport Wagon available near the end of 2010. Tuners have been making wagons go fast for years, but this one comes out of the factory with aggressive looks, big power, and superior handling.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon uses the same supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 as its CTS-V Sedan and Coupe counterparts, good for 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque.

Beyond sheer, gut-wrenching power, the CTS-V Sport Wagon gets excellent handling through a magnetic suspension, actively damping body roll, and Brembo brakes.

Although this picture shows the CTS-V Sedan's cabin, the Sport Wagon will get the same treatment, with leather and Alcantara surfaces providing that lush, Cadillac feel.

A more refined, luxury experience can be had with Mercedes-Benz's latest hauler, based on the new E-class. The wagon only comes in one configuration, an E350 4Matic.

As with the E350 sedan, the wagon gets a 3.5-liter V-6. 4Matic is Mercedes-Benz's version of all-wheel drive, giving this wagon extra grip on slippery roads.

Along with increased cargo area of this wagon, suitable for loading up with antiques, rear-facing jump seats fold out of the back, reminiscent of wagons from the 1970s. The jump seats give the E350 4Matic Wagon seven-passenger capability.

Similar to the E350 sedan, the wagon gets Mercedes-Benz's latest cabin tech and driver aid features. Hard-drive-based navigation includes traffic, along with spare gigabytes for music storage, and a monitor watches for drowsy driving behavior.

Coming down a bit in price while maintaining an upscale interior, Acura launched its Sport Wagon, based on the TSX sedan. Sold as the Honda Tourer in Europe, the Sport Wagon has been given an Acura face and amenities for the U.S.

Unlike the TSX sedan, the Sport Wagon won't get a V-6 option. The only power train will be a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed automatic with manual shift mode. Acura says it should get 30 mpg on the highway.

The light rear hatch opens easily, revealing plenty of cargo space in back. The cargo space can be widened by removing interior side panels; smuggler bins reside under the floorboard.

Cabin tech in the TSX Sport Wagon rivals that of the Mercedes-Benz wagon, including hard-drive-based navigation showing traffic and weather, along with Acura's ELS audio system.

At the low end of the spectrum, at least in price, is Kia's new wagon version of the Forte, adding to the previously released sedan and Koup models. The Forte wagon comes with a surprising amount of tech: not only a Bluetooth phone system and iPod integration, but an available navigation system.

Engines for the Forte five door include the 2-liter and 2.4-liter four cylinders already available in the Forte sedan. These engines make a good mixture of power and fuel economy. Buyers also get the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Kia did some sport work on the Forte five door, lowering its ride height, redesigning the front fascia, and giving it alloy wheels. And it gets all the functionality of a small wagon.