U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
Pros and Cons
- Firm, but comfortable ride
- Handsome styling, inside and out
- More seat comfort than in Chrysler minivans
- Seating not as versatile as in Chrysler minivans
- Interior is a mixed bag
Volkswagen Routan - What the Auto Press Says
Volkswagen teamed up with Chrysler to produce the Routan. Like the partnership that created it, the Routan is something of a mixed bag.
The Routan is one of the few vehicles on the road today that's sourced directly from one company and sold by another. The Routan is a VW, albeit one that's heavily based on the Chrysler minivans -- the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. While those two models are seen as the granddaddies of the minivan class, in recent years they've been outpaced by minivans from Asian manufacturers. With the Routan, VW tried to reverse that trend, taking a tried and true minivan platform, retuning the suspension for more exciting driving and upgrading the interior with nicer materials from VW's parts bin.
The results are somewhat mixed. Reviewers say that while the Routan drives slightly better than the Chrysler minivans, it still lags the Honda Odyssey. Inside, while the VW materials help the interior, some reviewers say that simply slapping nice coverings on a Chrysler interior is sort of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Despite these setbacks, however, the Routan has some strong points. Its passenger cabin is roomy, and while its interior isn’t as versatile as its Chrysler cousins', the Routan's seats are more comfortable. Though reviewers say the Odyssey outperforms the Routan, it's only by a matter of degrees, and the Routan has a lower starting price. Finally, the Routan has very good crash test scores. And while the Routan's warranty isn't longer than its competitors, it’s the only minivan to offer free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
The bottom line is, if you're shopping minivans, the Routan is a solid choice, but so is almost every other van in the class. Make sure you shop around.
The Routan comes in four trims: the S base model, the SE, the SEL and the SEL Premium. All Routans seat seven in three rows. The Routan was all-new in 2009. For 2010, little has changed.
- "It gets VW-ish sheetmetal and a dedicated interior and rides on an exclusive suspension, but those who expect the Routan to be more Chrysler than Volkswagen are not too wide off the mark. Think of it as a Volkswagen interpreted by Chrysler." -- Car and Driver
- " When all is said and done, the Routan might look and feel like a Volkswagen, but that doesn't mean that it is one." -- Automobile Magazine
- "Although tardy to the minivan scene, the new Routan does give Volkswagen a vehicle with first-rate mechanical credentials, distinctive visual character and the kind of comfort and convenience elements that should help boost its overall appeal to anyone who is considering a minivan purchase." -- Kelley Blue Book
- "Volkswagen doesn't have illusions of being a major player in the minivan market, but the Routan will give current VW owners, whose families have outgrown the Jetta or Passat, a choice within the Volkswagen brand. It adds choice for anyone needing a minivan. A minivan is not exactly an aspirational vehicle; it's one bought out of necessity, but that's no reason to give up a pleasant driving experience. The Routan is at the top of the minivan heap, from a vehicle dynamics viewpoint, and still has all of the amenities expected in the class." -- CNET
Routan Performance - NA
For a minivan, reviewers say the Routan delivers good performance. While it isn't a sports car, the Routan has decent power and handles better than most of its competition. Read More
Routan Exterior - NA
The Routan borrows element from its Chrysler counterparts, but adds some of its own personal flavor to the mix. Exterior options like power sliding doors and a power rear liftgate make the Routan family-friendly. Read More
Routan Interior - NA
On the whole, reviewers like the 2010 Volkswagen Routan's interior. "The seats are typically VW supportive, and most of the interior textures resemble those found in a Passat, not a Pacifica," says Automobile Magazine. However, some reviewers note some give-and-take between Chrysler's design and VW's quality materials. Read More
Routan Safety - NA
The Routan receives excellent marks in most crash tests conducted by the federal government and insurance industry. Read More
Routan Reliability - NA
Volkswagen covers the Routan with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and their Carefree Maintenance program. Read More
