Across the pond, premium wagons are popular; they are about as common on European streets as SUVs are here in the United States. I’m not a wagon guy, and we’re not in Europe, but the automakers that sell the cars think this segment is ready to make the jump.

The reason you see more offerings in this segment is because wagons are being marketed as an alternative to SUVs and minivans. If I had to choose between a minivan and a wagon, the wagon would win hands down. My lack of enthusiasm for minivans is not solely based on the soccer mom image – it’s about the ride.

It would be hard to argue passenger hauling ability, amenities and cargo space in the minivan. Clearly, for a vacation road trip, the minivan is the only way to go.

Wagons, on the other hand, are built on sedan platforms that you can get to perform. That’s the case with the 2009 BMW 328i xDrive wagon that I took for a long road trip.

Don’t let the boxy exterior fool you; this wagon drives like a sports sedan. The trade-off is that this machine returns a firm ride that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you have to sit in the second row for a long ride. This car shines with the same driving dynamics that make the coupe and sedan such great performers.

During the week I had this wagon, it did everything from trips to the store, taking the kids and their gear to baseball games and, yes, soccer practice. The suspension provides great balance, control and some nimble moves. I was able to fling this car through the curves and extract a satisfying ride.

My 328i wagon came with a host of performance enhancers, including dynamic stability control, brake fade compensation, start-off assistant, brake standby and dynamic traction control. The xDrive all-wheel drive and hill decent control both provide extra bite and nudge the 328i closer to an SUV. The steering was extremely communicative, allowing you to really establish a connection to the road through the optional 17-inch wheels and tires – ditto for the four-wheel, ventilated anti-lock brakes with dynamic brake control that provided short, true stops.

As for performance, 0 to 60 goes by in just more than seven seconds and the 328i feels very quick off the line. Once you’re up to speed, there is plenty of passing power in reserve. I will say that the engine was smooth and without any coarseness. I did not like the stiff clutch – it made traffic jams uncomfortable.

My 328i wagon came equipped with 3.0-liter 24-valve straight-six that produces 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Environmental Protection Agency rates this combination at 17 city and 25 highway. I pulled down about 21 mpg in mainly highway driving.

For a wagon, the 328i cuts a fine profile. From the roof rails to the wheels, the 328i’s styling is crisp and devoid of a slab-sided look. This car looks best in darker colors.

Moving inside, the interior features superior craftsmanship and the material selection is first rate. Great care was taken to locate every switch and button so that its operation is maximized for the driver. The only glaring issue is the iDrive system that requires you to spin a dial and flip through screens to access climate controls, radio and the navigation system. Why such complication and the need to take your eyes off the road?

The front sport bucket seats are a bit on the firm side. The standard power adjustments help, but the seats are still a bit snug. The rear seats are on the flat side and foot room is tight with deep wells to step out of. The middle rear seat is best suited for folks 10 and younger.

One standout feature that I really liked was the huge, standard, two-way, one-touch glass panoramic moon roof. While wagons are traditionally known for their added cargo space, the sport wagon comes up a little short, but it does come with a standard retractable cargo cover.

The 328i xDrive sport wagon came with a base price of $37,100, but my test car came stuffed with almost every option available on the spec sheet. There is not enough space to list them all, but highlights included the cold weather package for $750, premium package for $3,350, Steptronic six-speed for $1,325, park distance control for $700 and the nav system for $2,100. After all the ink stopped flying, the total came to $49,495.

As I mentioned earlier, the wagon segment is expanding and the xDrive competition consists of Audi A4 Avant, Saab 9-3 SportCombi XWD, Subaru Outback Premier, Volkswagen Passat Wagon 4Motion and Volvo’s V50. This fall General Motors will enter the premium wagon segment as Cadillac drives up with its 2010 CTS Sport Wagon.

So if you just can’t see yourself in a fully loaded minivan or don’t want an up-level small or midsize SUV, the BMW 328i is an interesting alternative if you’re looking for a great-handling machine with a little extra cargo space.

2009 BMW 328i xDRIVE SPORT WAGON

ENGINE: 230-horsepower 3.0-liter 24-valve six-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: all-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city/25 highway

BASE PRICE: $37,100

AS TESTED: $49,495

WEB SITE: www.bmwusa.com