Volkswagen bus for modern times
BostonHerald.com
By Jerry Kronenberg / Motor Mouth
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Volkswagen minivan has come a long way since the days of the VW Microbus, that hippy favorite of the 1960s.
True, the 2010 VW Routan lacks the Microbus’ quirkiness.
But the $25,900 Routan offers performance, comfort and safety features that its 1960s ancestor could only dream about.
VW unveiled the Routan in 2009 and slightly updated the model for 2010, basing it on the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country - two minivans Motor Mouth happens to really like.
Unfortunately for VW, few other auto reviewers seem to, feeling that cash-strapped Chrysler hasn’t kept its minivans up to snuff in recent years.
Motor Mouth recently tested the Routan SEL Premium, the minivan’s top trim line.
On the outside, the Routan definitely resembles the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country - except, of course, for the big VW medallion in front.
The model’s large hood and grille sweep back to big front doors and standard five-spoke wheels.
My Routan also came standard with sliding side doors and a hatchback that open with the touch of a button on the model’s key fob.
Inside, my test car featured great stitched-leather upholstery along its seats, door interiors, steering wheel and shifter - which, rather akwardly, sits on the dashboard instead of between the front seats.
The SEL Premium’s front seats offer great headroom, legroom and hiproom.
So, too, do the two captain’s chairs that VW put in the second row instead of cramming a three-person bench seat into the same space.
My test car’s third-row seats likewise provided surprisingly good space. But while VW theoretically designed these seats for three adults, two would be more realistic. (Three small kids might be OK, though.)
All the way back, the Routan’s 32.7-cubic-foot cargo bay can hold one large suitcase and four or five knapsacks.
If that’s not enough cargo space for you, the SEL Premium’s third-row seats automatically fold down with the touch of a button.
You can also fold down (or even remove) the minivan’s second-row seats to create a massive 144 cubic feet of cargo room.
DAS MINIVAN: The 2010 Volkswagen Routan is VW’s latest entrant into the highly competitive minivan marketplace. Photo courtesy of Volkswagen.
My test car also came standard with a great touchscreen GPS, a nice power sunroof, an AM/FM/6CD/MP3/Sirius stereo and a rear-seat DVD player.
On the road, my test Routan’s 253-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission teamed up to produce an impressive ride.
The minivan runs quietly, absorbs most road bumps and accelerates and brakes well.
The Routan also has good sightlines, as well as a bit of a sport utility vehicle’s “high-up” road view.
However, backing up and parking are a tad challenging given the vehicle’s large size. Fortunately, my test Routan came standard with a nice backup camera.
As for fuel efficiency, the EPA rates the Routan SEL Premium at 17 mpg/city and 23 mpg highway. During a week of test drives, Motor Mouth logged a combined 17.2 mpg city/highway.
As for pricing, the $25,900 Routan costs less than key rivals such as the Chrysler Town & Country ($26,025) and Honda Odyssey ($26,805).
However, the model does cost more than other competitors, such as the Dodge Grand Caravan ($21,800), Kia Sedona ($22,195) and Toyota Sienna ($24,540).
Of course, exact cost comparisons are hard to make because automakers have recently announced summer rebates and/or new 2011 pricing on some minivan models.
The bottom line: The 2010 Volkswagen Routan is a worthy successor to the 1960s Microbus - and an impressive player in the highly competitive minivan segment. While the Routan competes against plenty of fine rivals, minivan shoppers should definitely check this model out.
