Volkswagen Routan has lowest Total Cost of Ownership

The NADA website lists 5-year Total Cost of Ownership figures. http://www.nadaguides.com/home.aspx?l=1&w=28&p=0&f=5000 Click on "Cost of Ownership" on the home page, or the 5-year

If you research the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Volkswagen Routan with equivalent trim (MSRP $36,500 - 36,950), the TCO of the Routan is the lowest.

Specifically, the Town & Country is rated Worst at $51,579. Honda is rated Below Average at $54,329, Toyota Sienna is rated Average at $49,686, and Volkswagen Routan SEL w/RSE is rated Average at $48,009.

There is inconsistency with the ratings, since the Odyssey has much higher TCO than the Town & Country, yet is rated one star better. Nonetheless, before dealer concessions or special Volkswagen financing, the Routan has the best Total Cost of Ownership.

NADA includes Depreciation, Fees & Taxes, Financing, Insurance, Fuel, Maintenance, Opportunity Cost, and Repairs in their calculation.