2009 Volkswagen Routan Review

2009 Volkswagen Routan Review

2009 Volkswagen Routan


New minivan expands brand

Dan Lyons / autoMedia.com

Routan marks Volkswagen’s re-entry into the minivan field after an absence of five years. The addition of the new model makes sense; filling one of the few remaining slots in the company’s lineup where they did not field a competitive vehicle. The route taken to develop Routan is unusual for the VW, though not for the industry. Rather than design a new van from the ground up, Volkswagen opted instead to buy an existing platform and adapt it for their use. The company that they chose to partner with was Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler is the acknowledged Minivan Meister. Inventors of the breed in 1984, they’ve been prime players ever since. The most obvious benefit of this approach for Volkswagen is speed to market. It’s far faster to build on established expertise than it is to cut something from whole cloth. The downside is, an off-the–rack offering—however handsomely tailored—will never have quite the individualized fit and feel that a custom-made piece would.

Performance, Pricing, and Dynamics

Routan is available in three trim levels: S (MSRP $24,700), SE ($29,600) and SEL ($33,200). S and SE models share a 197-hp, 3.6-liter V-6, while the SEL gets a 253-hp, 4.0-liter six. Both engines are partnered with a six speed automatic transmission. The SEL is predicted to be the volume leader, and our test drive focused on this model. The front-wheel-drive Routan rides on a 121-inch wheelbase. The chassis is fitted with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a twist beam axle in back. The powertrain choices are sourced from the Chrysler catalog, but VW has tweaked the suspension components (springs, dampers, bushings) to impart a more continental feel to its driving and handling.

Volkswagen is positioning the Routan as the Beetle of Minivans, and promoting the fun-to-drive DNA that permeates the rest of the company’s lineup. Of course, minivans have a lot more to do with function than fun, and most will spend far more time traveling to a shopping mall than traversing a slalom. Within the confines of its competitive class, though, Routan handles confidently, with above average steering feel, and a smooth road ride. The 3.8-liter V-6 gets from 0-60 mph in 10.2 seconds. On paper, the number looks leisurely. However, in practice, the powertrain has adequate power for all normal driving duties. It comes off the line well, cruises comfortably at highway speeds and has enough in reserve for a pedal-to-the-metal pass, when need be. EPA rates the Routan’s potential fuel economy at 16/23 city/highway, which is spot on with the competition. We got 19 miles per gallon during our test drive. The SEL can be equipped to tow as much as 3,500 lbs. Standard safety features include front and side curtain airbags, an Electronic Stability Program and ABS with Brake Assist.

Comfort, Cargo, and Versatility

Minivans earn their keep with versatility. Thanks to their basically boxy shape and flexible floor plans, no breed of vehicle holds more people and cargo, while maintaining car-like comfort levels. Routan will seat 6-7, depending on choice of second row seats. Our SEL tester was equipped with captain’s chairs in rows one and two, and a split bench in back. The third row seats have enough room to hold adults, and in max-passenger mode, there’s 32 cubic feet of storage space in back. When not needed for people, the last row of seats folds obligingly into the floor, creating an impressive cargo capacity of 83 cubic feet.

Before leaving the way-back, we should also note that the third row seats have one more trick up their sleeve. They can be configured in a reverse-facing formation well suited for tailgating. Second-row seats can fold and tumble forward, though the headrests must first be removed from the seatbacks. They can also be removed outright and, with that done and the third row folded, cargo space jumps to 141 cu. ft. The floor in front of row two houses a pair of concealed, covered storage bins. The forward cabin has a raft of storage spots, including a two-level glovebox, a dash-top dish, center console and no less than eight cup/juice box/bottle holders (with five more in back), satisfying our nationwide fixation on hydration. The location of controls and switches is straightforward. There is a noticeable amount of reflection of the dashboard into the windshield when conditions are bright and sunny.


The Beetle of Minivans

The list of available options covers all the bases one expects in a modern people hauler. Among the highlights are a touch screen navigation/entertainment system, rear seat entertainment system with dual, 9-inch screens for second and third rows, dual, power sliding second row doors and an overhead, concave mirror in the front section, perfect for parental peace-keeping surveillance of those in back.

Volkswagen is having a good year, sales-wise, recently passing Ford as the world’s third largest manufacturer. In the midst of a market that is largely lagging, the company is up slightly in year-to-date U.S. sales, and has recorded an impressive, 4,000,000 sales worldwide so far. Minivans, though not the market juggernauts that they once were here, still account for a robust 700,000 units in this country every year. Volkswagen wants five percent of that market with their new entry, a number that seems both modest and “makeable,” given Routan’s quality. By teaming with the segment stalwart Chrysler for its development, VW sacrificed some of their corporate character, and hardcore Vee-dubbers may lament the lack of their distinctive drivetrains, for example. But, that’s a minority of potential buyers. More important, the company gained a quick, leg-up in a segment where they had no presence. And, they also have nothing to lose, as Routan sales won’t be at the expense of any other models—except the competitions’. (www.vw.com)

About the Author

A native of New York’s Hudson River Valley, Dan Lyons has been reviewing cars in print and online for the past 20 years.

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