I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 Jetta as a loaner for a few days this week, and it struck me how many different things Volkswagen carried over. There are mostly small things, but they convey the "look and feel" of VW.
The first thing I noticed was the passing signal. Usually, you can operate the turn signal stalk to the detent, and the turn signal will flash. It stops signalling when you let go rather than waiting for the steering wheel to turn far enough to cancel it. In Volkswagens, you move the stalk to the detent and let go--the signal flashes 3 times. The Routan has that feature.
Volkswagen uses a ceiling console mounted red light to illuminate the front seat cupholders. The Routan has that as well.
The Jetta had a 6-speed automatic transmission. During mild acceleration, it shifted in a progressive pattern--each gear holding to a little higher RPM than the previous gear before shifting. Semi-tractor drivers often use this shifting pattern because it efficiently runs through the gears and saves fuel. The Routan does that as well. I know this is something Volkswagen can control on the Routan because its transmission is programmable. You can have the programming changed on the Routan if you need to. I believe VW spec'ed the Routan to have this shifting experience.
As a side note, a Canadian paper article talked about the construction of the Routan at Chrysler's Windsor plant. The article stated that Routans are final inspected by Volkswagen employees. I believe this is to ensure quality commensurate with the Volkswagen name.
The more I drive my Routan the more it reflects a bumper sticker I saw once talking about Christians--"not perfect, just forgiven."
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