By Joe DeMatio, Phil Floraday, Evan McCausland, Rusty Blackwell, Amy Skogstrom, Jason Cammisa, Kelly Ryan Murphy
… It's a far, far cry from the modern-day Microbus that we and VW devotees everywhere so dearly wanted. But if you have a great relationship with your VW dealer and you want to keep your business there and you need a decent minivan, have at it, folks. The Volkswagen Routan is not a bad minivan at all; in fact, it's a pretty good one. But it's not much of a Volkswagen.
Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor
The Routan is a decent minivan, with lots of room for you, your whole crew, and all your belongings. As a rebadged Chrysler, it has most of the attributes of that marque's minivans, which isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately, it doesn't have very many of the attributes of VW - the interior finishes aren't as polished, the engine is not as refined, and it simply doesn't feel as solid as a German-engineered vehicle does. Plus, the days of VW and minivans being synonymous (think Microbus) are gone. These days, people looking for a minivan probably don't even consider visiting a VW dealer. Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor
The pluses:
The van drove very well on Ann Arbor's less-than-perfect roads, even better when we hit the smoother surfaces of Ohio. Cruise control kept us at a constant speed, and the onboard entertainment system kept the kids of all ages entertained. Large amounts of storage in the cabin includes multiple secure, hidden compartments. Cupholders at every turn might have you looking for restrooms often. We were pleased to discover this vehicle's range - our 100-mile trip to Toledo took only about a quarter tank of gas traveling between 75 and 78 mph. We loved the auto sliding doors, whether actuated from the key fob or the driver's seat. I always thought this feature was a bit silly until I loaded sixteen bags of groceries in a spring windstorm by myself.
The minuses:
The navigation system's auto-dimming function setting can be elusive and lead to unwarranted driver frustration. The reason this car isn't for dad is the driver's seat. Adjusted all the way back for a six-foot-plus driver, there wasn't much legroom. Big dads may have to call shotgun or play attendant to the kiddies. Large turning radius was a problem in tight parking lots. I'd like to have had a front camera to see where the nose was, or at least proximity sensors.
Kelly Ryan Murphy, Creative Director
I agree with Joe wholeheartedly: this is a very nice minivan, but it's not a proper Volkswagen van.
…VW customers miss nothing by not having the ability to order Swivel 'n Go in their minivans; unless you plan to have a lot of picnics or old-maid tournaments in your van, …
Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor
… If you're seriously shopping a Routan and can live without the unique snout or the included maintenance program, you're likely to snag a better deal on a nearly identical vehicle from a local Mopar dealer.
Evan McCausland, Web Producer
Phil Floraday, Senior Online Editor
Volkswagen's changes to the Chrysler's suspension and seats make for a slightly better driving experience, yes. But that doesn't make the Routan a good VW, it makes it a slightly better Chrysler. …
The Routan, like all minivans, is a hugely practical vehicle. …
Jason Cammisa, West Coast Editor
