2010 Routan Fact Video from a dealership

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TrueCar Price Flex Score
TrueCar uses several methods to identify the best new car deals of the month.  Not only does TrueCar track vehicles with the greatest discounts, but the TrueCar Price Flex Score measures how elastic the transaction price is for a particular model.  A high Flex Score means a possibility of a great swing (high or low) in the actual sale price from MSRP, while a low Flex Score means the price is far less negotiable and that the transaction price range is much narrower.   Consumers have the best chance of obtaining a discount with the most flexible scores.
Most Flexible 2010 Models
Vehicle Categories
Model
Score
Subcompact Car
Nissan cube
100

Sport Car
Mitsubishi Eclipse
99

Luxury Car
Cadillac STS Image via Wikipedia
99

Midsize Car
Suzuki Kizashi
98

Small Car
Kia Forte
97

Midsize SUV
Kia Optima
97

Luxury Sport Car
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97

Large Car
Chrysler 300
96

Small SUV
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95

Minivan
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93

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91

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91

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77

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75
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35

The Kohlers: Serious Updates...

Kohler Keepsakes Blog

this BEAUTY!
We call her Rudy. She's a 2010 Volkswagen Routan and we LOVE her! Actually, my love was more slow growing than Eric's. The man who swore he'd never drive a minivan couldn't leave the dealership without her. He's infatuated. I refused to drive her for about 3 days, terrified that I'd wreck her, but Eric finally left me no choice. The Monday after we got her, Eric took Braden to work with him and Brielle and I ran errands all over town in the van. That's when my love began. We're definitely spoiled. They kids love her too. I think Brielle's favorite part is just that she can see out the windows. She went spastic the first time we drove to Grandma Sharon's and she saw the horses by her house. Who knew? And everyone at the dealership kept telling us we got a killer deal, they've never seen a van go that cheap before, yadda-yadda, but I think that's what they all say to make you feel better about giving them such insane amounts of money.

Test Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline

{The model designations and prices are for the Canadian market. The U.S. models are referred to as the S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. SE up has RSE (Rear Seat Entertainment) standard or available as an option. U.W. pricing seems to be more favorable than Canadian pricing.}

CanadianDriver

Review and photos by Chris Chase

Photo Gallery:
2010 Volkswagen Routan

In my profession as a test driver, occasionally the right vehicle comes along at just the right time. My wife’s grandmother passed away at the beginning of April, and in the process of settling her estate, my mother-in-law had to find some way to move her mother’s belongings out of her apartment, … to someone who could use a bunch of old but well-cared-for furniture.

Enter this week’s Volkswagen Routan tester, which I picked up a couple of weeks after grandma’s passing. My mother-in-law … struck gold on a Friday, when she was put in touch with someone … who would be very grateful for … a queen-sized bed frame, mattress and box spring, a loveseat and wingback chair, two bedside tables, a six-drawer dresser, and a few other odds and ends.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

Great! We had a place to take the furniture and a way to get it there, but the question was whether it would all fit in one go; …

There was a brief moment of panic when I realized that the mattress, box spring and headboard wouldn’t fit inside the van. I was thankful, then, for the Routan’s roof rails and cross bars, which allowed us to tie the mattress and box spring to the roof, with the headboard sandwiched in between. The rest of the load was drama-free: the dresser fit crossways behind the front seats, with the loveseat, chair and tables in back, and a bunch of smaller odds and ends squeezed in wherever they would fit. One load, one trip and a lot of time saved.

… This van was added to VW’s line-up in late 2008 after the company’s research showed that 15 per cent of VW owners had left the brand to purchase a minivan when their needs dictated a larger vehicle. … [The] company … {knew} they wouldn’t sell Routans in the same numbers as Chrysler moves its Dodge Grand Caravan and Town & Country, so rather than design its own van from the ground up, VW partnered with Chrysler to base a van on the American platform.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

The Routan shares most of its makeup with the Chrysler and Dodge vans, but on the outside, only the roof and door panels are shared, to create a van distinctive enough to set it apart from its domestic siblings. Its powertrain choices are limited to one: a 4.0-litre V6 and six-speed automatic that also serves the Chrysler Town & Country and is the uplevel choice in the Dodge Grand Caravan.

Rated at 251 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque, it’s a strong motor, but not terribly refined. …

Acceleration is brisk, but the engine never sounds like it’s having a good time. This transmission is one I’ve noted before for how it bangs off great up-shifts in hard acceleration and downshifts readily for passing manoeuvres, yet often feels clumsy and unsophisticated in normal driving. The Routan’s fuel consumption ratings are 12.2/7.9 L/100 km (city/highway); I averaged 14 L/100 km in city driving.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

If Volkswagen has done a good job making the Routan stand apart from its Chrysler siblings looks-wise, the German brand’s suspension tuning makes a major difference in how the Routan goes over the road. Where the Town & Country wafts and wallows in response to rough roads, the Routan feels much more European, with a firmer ride and less body roll in corners. I’d hesitate to call it entertaining, but it certainly is more so than the Chrysler.

Volkswagen’s interior designers gave the Routan its own look and feel on the inside, with more soft-touch surfaces and a more attractive dash layout than in Chrysler’s vans. That said, the climate controls are still too low on the centre stack and there are a few cheap touches that remain, like the junky-feeling shifter and Chrysler’s electronic ignition switch, which never feels like it has a good grip on the key. I also wish Volkswagen had put its own steering wheel in the Routan. Instead, it makes do with the Chrysler wheel, which has stereo controls (on the backside), but doesn’t incorporate Bluetooth controls, which instead are located on the right-hand side of the navigation/stereo unit, far from the driver …

The Routan doesn’t offer Chrysler’s Stow ‘N Go second-row seats, which makes for more comfort, but less convenience, as these ones have to be removed from the van and stored somewhere when you need maximum carrying capacity. They’re pretty heavy, so lifting them out is a task, but they do have small wheels that allow them to be rolled across flat surfaces. The third row seats fold away into a well in the very back of the van, making for a flat load floor.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

Our tester was a Highline model, which is priced at $40,575 {Cdn}, part of the price that must be paid for niceties like power sliding side doors, power tailgate, alloy wheels, automatic climate control, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated second-row captains chairs, power adjustable pedals, steering wheel audio controls and numerous other interior and exterior trim items. It’s worth noting, though, that many of the items included on my tester are also standard on the one-rung-down Comfortline model. My test vehicle also had the $2,425 {Cdn} Navigation Package, which adds navigation, a rear view camera and a USB connection for the stereo for a total MSRP of $44,580 {Cdn} including freight. For the record, the top-end Execline trim is worth $50,575 {Cdn} and includes navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system and flashier trim pieces, like 17-inch wheels (in place of sixteens) and chrome exterior mirrors and door handles.

The Routan is a more pleasant driver than its Chrysler and Dodge-badged siblings, … At that point, it’s a decent van for a Volks-phile, but otherwise, it might make more sense to spend similar money on a Japanese van and benefit from their superior reliability. …

Canadians, however, might appreciate being able to buy an import-branded van that’s built in Canada – the Routan is built alongside the Chrysler and Dodge versions in Windsor, Ontario. Honda and Toyota build their Odyssey and Sienna vans in the U.S.

If the Routan proved anything to me, it’s that among light-duty vehicles, there’s still nothing out there to compare to a minivan’s ability to carry seven or eight people in decent comfort, or move a small apartment’s worth of stuff in one shot. I know I was glad to be able to put this van to good use while I had it, and there’s a grateful family out there who’s probably pretty happy about it, too.

Pricing: 2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline

Base price: $40,575

Base price (Trendline): $28,075

Options: $2,425 (Navigation Package of navigation system, rearview camera, stereo USB port)

A/C tax: $100

Freight: $1,580

Price as tested: $44,580
Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives

Specifications

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Volkswagen Routan

Competitors

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Chrysler Town & Country

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Honda Odyssey

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Kia Sedona

Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Toyota Sienna

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Chris Chase is an Ottawa-based automotive journalist. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

I am a soccer mom

A two-week test drive in two minivans – the 2010 VW Routan and the 2011 Toyota Sienna – reconfirm that minivans have a lot to offer

Baby Boomers - Online Magazine

By Jeff Rundles

… Seems strange really, in that I am a man and not a soccer fan, so I am neither a mom nor have anything to do with soccer, and yet I am, indeed, a soccer mom.

… [The] whole thing about being a soccer mom was really only manifest in one aspect: the minivan. …

The evil aspects of the minivan got so ingrained in the psyche of this generation of women that they will lumber around in a Chevy Suburban or some other large, kid-toting, 7-passenger vehicle – even to soccer practice and games – but never in a minivan. …

Yet, over the last couple of weeks I have had the great pleasure of driving the 2010 VW Routan minivan and the Toyota Sienna minivan, and in spite of my singing their praises – often to women who ask my opinion on vehicles all the time – all I got from women was snickers. …

Another woman, a neighbor, and her husband and children came over to see the Sienna, and to drive it, as the man of the house really wants one and the Sienna is the only minivan left on the market with an All-Wheel-Drive option. … She snickered. “Wouldn’t a SUV be better?,” she asked, obviously harboring soccer mom visions. I pointed out that a minivan is so much easier, that the doors open themselves and the kids can just hop in from school, and if there are friends they can all pile in and you’re good to go. The mom reacted as if this was sound advice, but I believe we’ll be seeing a new 7-passenger SUV in their garage soon.

… My children’s grandfather, who can afford any vehicle he wants, has been driving a minivan for years. He and his wife travel all over and they like the flexibility of a minivan for its gear room and guest-rider spots, and this grandfather says he just likes the way they drive. Good visibility, much easier to get in and out of than a SUV, comfortable, all the bells and whistles, easy to park, loves the sliding doors and the automatic-opening/closing side doors and rear hatch.

That’s me, too. That’s why I am a soccer mom. I love driving minivans. I love driving them around town, to work and on errands, and I think they are the very best highway road vehicles on the market.

VW Routan

The first one I got into was the 2010 Routan from VW. I am very impressed overall with VW, because after a few years of trying things very un-VW-like … they have gone back to what makes them what they are – solid German vehicles with great performance, great looks and a real distinctiveness that is lacking in most lines that aren’t German (re: Japanese cars).

The Routan is an odd duck, however, in that the minivan isn’t exactly a German thing. … [This] is a vehicle made exclusively for the North American market. By saying it is an odd duck, though, I do not mean to cast aspersions: like most all VWs, this is well made and a solid competitor.

What sets the Routan apart from every other minivan I have driven is its heft: this vehicle feels … very solid, much more than anything else. I looked up the weight of this and the Toyota, which felt less heavy, only to discover it is an illusion: the Routan weights 4,621 lbs., while the Toyota Sienna comes in at 4,735 lbs. Nevertheless, the Routan felt more substantial.

I enjoyed driving the Routan right from the start. Equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine putting out some 251 hp, the Routan is no speed demon, but neither is it lacking in oomph. … [If] anything it lacked the kind of torque that would make it quick off the line. Until, like most German cars, you figure out how to drive it: the Routan needs to be revved up, and then it really can go.

In the way back of the Routan, behind the automatic liftgate (I love that feature; the side doors were automatic too), the floor is sunken, quite a bit, which makes storage for groceries and the like a breeze. Plus, the rear, third seat folds down into the cavern, so you can make the back of the van perfectly flat for storing things like ski and luggage for a trip. Then there are storage bins in the floor around the second row of seats, and cup holders all around. It’s … all American minivan – but it is a great vehicle. Really liked it.

And the Routan I drove was quite equipped. Great stereo, a navigation system – all the bells and whistles, except that it didn’t have a sunroof (I am sure you can get one).

The Routan comes in 10 trims, ranging from the base model S with a 3.8-liter V6 with 197 hp (rated at 16/23), with a base price of $25,900, to the SEL Premium with the larger engine, carrying a base price of $42,500.

I drove the SEL w/RSE & Nav – the RSE standing for Rear Seat Entertainment system, and like most German cars it took a little while and an education, and the help of my 12-year-old, to figure out how to make the movie play in the rear seat. Then I couldn’t figure out how to play the movie back there and listen to the radio, …

Anyway, with the navigation and the RSE included in the base price, the Routan SEL carried a MSRP of $33,500, and it was pretty loaded at the price. They only added on the destination charge, so the bottom line was $34,300 – a great price in this minivan marketplace, especially for what you get here.

Toyota Sienna

…A few years ago I drove the Sienna and said I thought it was getting dated, …

They have changed that. This is now in a class by itself. … It is beautiful, inside and out but especially on the inside where the leather is perfect, the wood grain on the dash, steering wheel and doors is stunning, and where the driving is effortless, yet has great feel. …

I had the top-of-the-line Limited with the 3.5-liter V6 engine, but even though it was a smaller engine than the Routan, it was more powerful: 266 hp that felt like more (mileage rating: 16/22). …

Our test-drive model had everything: all the bells and whistles, the automatic doors, navigation, one of the finest stereos and sound systems on the market, and all that. But it had extras that made it special. First, the rear-seat entertainment system featured a wide-screen television screen that my son proclaimed the very best on the market. It was easy to use, easy to set up – it took me no time at all to figure it out – and the front seat passengers could listen to the radio while the kid was in back on wireless, and quiet headphones.

It also has two sunroofs – one over the front seats, and one over the middle seats, both of which open up, a real nice touch. The Sienna also has the cavernous rear storage area, and fold-down-flat third row seating, plus the middle captain’s chairs can slide way back or far forward, swivel, and they are easy to remove so the entire rear area can be an open van. Very intelligent design.

But the one thing that separates the Sienna from the minivan pack is the availability of AWD, and my test-drive model had it. …

The Sienna doesn’t come cheap, however. There are 12 trims available, beginning with a front-drive 4-passenger model with a 2.7-liter I4 engine with 187 hp (rated at 19/26), with a MSRP of $24,260 going all the way to this Limited model. Somewhere along the line you can configure the Sienna for 8-passenger seating, in both FWD and AWD models. … My fully-loaded test drive model included a $4,025 Premium Package that had the entertainment system, navigation, upgraded stereo (wonderful), a backup camera, hands-free Bluetooth, an iPod connection, voice commands, and a few more things. They also added $890 for High Intensity Discharge headlamps, automatic high beams, and rain-sensing wipers, and $185 for a roof rack. Add in $800 in destination charges, and the bottom line is $45,670.

…

2010 Volkswagen Routan – The safest seven-passenger minivan

The Automotive Explorer

Posted in: Family Cars

21 Apr 2010

The VW Routan is seven-passenger wagon with excellent crash test scores conducted by the federal government and insurance industry. Built by Chrysler in a joint venture between the two manufacturers, the 2010 Routan available in four trims: S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. The Routan S and SE trims come standard with a 197-hp 3.8-liter V6 combined with a six-speed automatic transmission. A 251-hp 4.0-liter V6 is standard on SEL trim levels. This family minivan features a European-tuned suspension and steering optimized for handling and improved driving dynamics. Standard safety features include all-season traction control and ESP, curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist, and tire pressure monitoring. 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. Finally, 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. Price range: $25,900 – $42,400. [Source: Volkswagen USA]

The Sabol Family: A New Car!!!!!!

The Sabol Family

2 weeks ago we ventured to "Test Dr." to look at a few cars we had our eye on. As much as we love our Honda Element, it is just too small for two carseats (there are only 2 'real' seats in the back).

So we went & test drove a Honda Pilot, which we really liked- I have to admit I may have liked the leather seats, back up camera, dvd player, navigation system etc. a little more than the actual car.

It was a nice test drive, but we decided to check out the VW & Toyota place as well- we ended up getting sucked into the VW dealership & walking out proud owners of a new VW Routan.

Maybe it was the free pizza & soda or the fact that we got a sweet, fully-loaded car for about $15,000 less than the Pilot & the same car payment we have now (leather, back up camera, Sirius radio, 2 dvd players with wireless headphones, seating for 7 & back row seats that fold out of the way or turn around with a 'tailgating' option.

We got a great deal & felt good about it- despite doing no research and very little hard bargaining. Lily still calls it her 'cool new car" and we all LOVE riding in it.

We haven't taken a bunch of pictures yet, but here is one (along with my big ole belly).

Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Review

[This is a review of the Dodge van that is most similar to the Routan. What is interesting is that the blogger says he would rather buy the Routan.]

3.30.2010

TireKicker Blog

Ignorance is bliss.
During my week in the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, I was won over...the user-friendliness, utility and ease of driving erased misgivings I had about the materials inside being a cut or so below that of a Honda Odyssey. …

I knew it was loaded...but I didn't realize how loaded until I asked for a copy of the sticker. This minivan had more than $13,000 in options...jacking the bottom line all the way up to $41,385. No longer reasonable nor a bargain.

So what could I live without if I were playing with my own money?

Well, Swivel 'n Go, which allows the second-row captain's chairs to turn and face the third row, with a stowable table between (just like the old VW vans) was novel and a hit with the kids, but it has its drawbacks...in order to give the driver and front passenger legroom and maximum distance from the airbags, the second row seats have to slide on their tracks toward the rear of the van...and then there's not much legroom for the four people face-to-face. We found that out with two tall teenage boys one afternoon. …

But the biggest expense is the electronics extravaganza...

Now, some of that (I'm a sucker for a good stereo and believe hands-free cellular communications should be standard equipment) is worth keeping…

UPDATE: Recently had a 2010 Grand Caravan SXT and there's some good news. For beginners, base price has actually dropped to $26,730. The interior is marginally nicer than last years...no real revisions...just feels like the suppliers improved materials a quarter-notch.

But best of all, the option packages are re-worked. This one managed leather, Swivel 'n Go, a premium group including iPod controls and an upgrade to a 500-watt, 9-speaker Infinity audio system, 3-zone climate control and the 4.0 liter 6 for $34,100 after destination charges. And Dodge has a 4.0 liter engine discount of $630 (essentially making it free), so the bottom line ended up at $33,470.
That makes a lot more sense than $41,000 for the first one...and makes a favorable comparison with the VW Routan (same van, different styling and interior touches). Still, it ended up $1,200 more than the comparably-equipped Routan we tested(the Routan doesn't offer Swivel n'Go)..and we'd probably buy the Routan… .

New Car!!!!

Pardon my Chaos Blog

We finally caved and got a new family vehicle. It's been a long time coming, considering the van we had was 6 yrs old. with breaks that were going to go out literally any day. And a base line model with few conviences that didn't work anyways. Not to mention last week's fiasco....ha
After throwing the desires around for a few months..Sunday at my sister's she said why don't we go to the dealership. My dad and her had both recently bought a car at the local volkswagon dealership and soooooo we showed up wanting to look around. Of course fell in love with the Routan worked out a GOOD deal over almost 5 hours of hanging around there...and....I AM IN LOVE!
Although I can't decide what I love more, the 2 dvd screens that can play different movies or even video games for the back. Or the automatic sliding doors and back....Or is it the heated seats, oh no the reverse camera to see what's behind you. I seriously feel so spoiled with this thing haha...

Posted by Amanda

Kids, We're Getting a Minivan.

Orange County Moms Blog

I'm not proud to say that I'm going to be getting a Minivan pretty soon. I mean, sure... they aren't the old steal boxes with fake wood siding that used to crowd the parking lot of my school growing up, but to me there is that stigma attached to them. That stigma that tells the world, "I've given up on my life, and now I drive a Minivan."

… I can't help but think about all of the Moms that drove those in the 80's and 90's that wore knee socks, bermuda shorts, turtle necks, or *gasp* MOM JEANS while driving their family movers proudly from school to extra curricular activities. When I was growing up, my Mom always looked cool. If she wasn't driving a Porsche (I'm dead serious about that), wearing a Tennis Outfit, and sporting Pat Banetar hair then she was dressed at the height of fashion driving a Benz. … But what my Mom taught me is that just because you are a Mother, that doesn't mean you can't still look cool and feel good about yourself.

She always drove a car she liked that suited her needs, and while some of them were a bit more exotic then I could ever dream of affording, she still stuck true to herself rather then just give up. …

As I'm pregnant with number three, and my very nice mid-sized SUV will in no way fit three car seats in it, my husband and I have been exploring our options as to what vehicle to purchase with the proceeds of selling his (very tiny) car. Since we are trying to be smart with our finances, we have decided that whatever car we get will be paid for in cash and will have to be inexpensive to maintain for the next few years. We've researched our hearts out, even had arguments over vehicles! Until one day last week when I was at the mall and they had a Volkswagen Routan on display for all of the shopping Moms to see.

I was in love.

…What I'm in love with is the amount of space that it provides, the fact that there are power sliding doors I can control with my key chain, power hatch assist (just like my more expensive SUV), and (drum roll please) TV SCREENS. Oh, the TV screens that I swore I'd NEVER purchase with a car are now looking better and better as it's necessary for our family to drive to places like Mammoth Lakes and Phoenix to visit loved ones. And as we all know entertained children are happy children, and happy children are quiet children. Happy children mean happy parents. You do not want Mommy to be upset!

The best thing is that we could pay cash for a mid-range model that has the power doors and the TV screens, and it comes with three years of free scheduled maintenance. At this point, I would be crazy to consider anything else. A car with no payment that I wouldn't have to worry about maintenance bills for three years? I'm sold.

… It gets a weeee bit better gas mileage then a gigantic tank of an SUV, and it has under floor storage!

The more and more I think about it, this seems to be the vehicle with ALL of the answers to my life's needs. Sure, I still feel like I'm giving up on some little part of me that was always fighting to break free from motherhood. But why do I need to have sex appeal in the car that I drive? I'm married... with children (soon to be many children), and perhaps it's just time that I had a car that addressed all of my convenience issues that come with my lifestyle. So we've told the kids (well, at least "Cabana Boy" understands), "We're Getting a Minivan." All of a sudden we are THE COOLEST parents in town, because our car will have "special" TVs in it for when we go to visit Uncle Billy and Auntie Andrea.

I'm desperately trying to reconcile my thoughts on this purchase. It would be smart, yes! Very smart! But is it a Frump Mobile? If there is one thing that I'm not, it's frumpy. Just make sure you don't tell anyone you've seen me driving my new Minivan when I get it though. Please? Seriously, I owe you already!

Original Orange County Moms Blog post.

Jennifer is a mother of two little boys, with baby number three arriving in August! Being a Full-Time Mom with a Full-Time Job certainly keeps her busy, and she tries to find the silver lining in every mortifying, embarrassing, and difficult situation she encounters. Just be sure word doesn't get around that she's driving a Minivan when the purchase has been made! You can also follow Jennifer at her personal blog, or tweet with her on Twitter.

NADAguides.com Names the Auto Industry’s ‘Best Car Buys’ For 2010

Your Story

COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ — NADAguides.com, the leading provider of pricing information and market research for new and used cars, classics, RVs, motorcycles and boats, today announced the names of the auto industry's "Best Car Buys" for 2010. … The NADAguides.com Market/Data Analysts (MDAs) conducted their annual in-depth study to identify the criteria that matter most to consumers when considering their next car purchase. If the car received high marks in each of the selected categories, it was recognized as a NADAguides.com "Best Car Buy" for 2010.

"… Our "Best Car Buys" list not only highlights the top criteria buyers look for in a new or used car, but gives them a complete NADAguides.com list of cars that meet such criteria," said Michael Caudill, spokesperson, NADAguides.com. "… We were very careful in how we identified the needs of consumers and worked to offer a varied selection of popular categories."

… The NADAguides.com MDAs identified certain criteria as being the most important to consumers: fuel efficiency, warranty coverage, safety and depreciation. … All cars in the study proved they are the automobile industry's (combined) most fuel efficient, have the best warranty and come with the highest safety ratings, while at the same time all holding their value with the slowest rates of depreciation.

The following are the vehicles that ranked top five in each category: …

Top Vans

1. 2010 Volkswagen Routan 4dr Wgn SEL Premium – MSRP: $42,500, 21 MPG, 29% Depreciation year 1, 3 years/36,000, 5-star frontal driver crash rating

- Current incentives & rebates are available at NADAguides.com

"A van that's full of amenities and fun to drive." – NADAguides.com

2. 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan 4dr Wgn SE – MSRP: $23,175, 20 MPG, 37% Depreciation year 1, 3 years/36,000, 5-star frontal driver crash rating

- Current incentives & rebates are available at NADAguides.com

"The Grand Caravan is the leader in building an innovative and modern van." – NADAguides.com

3. 2010 Toyota Sienna 5dr 7-Pass XLE FWD (GS) – MSRP: $29,725, 20 MPG, 24% Depreciation year 1, 3 years/36,000, 4-star frontal driver crash rating

- Current incentives & rebates are available at NADAguides.com

"Sophisticated interior and plenty of room, the Sienna is an NADAguides.com Best Buy." – NADAguides.com

4. 2010 Honda Odyssey 4dr Wgn LX – MSRP: $26,805, 19 MPG, 28% Depreciation year 1, 3 years/36,000, 5-star frontal driver crash rating

- Current incentives & rebates are available at NADAguides.com

"The Odyssey is luxurious, spacious and practical, making it a true family minivan." – NADAguides.com

5. 2010 Chrysler Town & Country 4dr Wgn LX – MSRP: $25,175, 20 MPG, 26% Depreciation year 1, 3 years/ 36,000, 5-star frontal crash rating

- Current incentives & rebates are available at NADAguides.com

"Living up to its name, the Town & Country is a great all-around minivan." – NADAguides.com

About NADAguides.com

NADAguides.com (http://www.NADAguides.com) is the largest publisher of vehicle pricing and information for new and used cars, classic cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and manufactured homes. NADAguides.com offers in-depth shopping and research tools in addition to the most market-reflective pricing available. The company also produces print guidebooks, software, web services, raw data and web syndicated products.

SOURCE NADAguides.com

Contact

John Ewert of NADAguides.com, +1-951-461-2429, media@nadaguides.com

Automotive News-MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

New Website Demystifies Car Pricing--For Free

BNET Auto Blog

By Jim Motavalli | Dec 16, 2009
Did you know that two of the best days to buy a car (if you can get away) are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve? Did you know that you can get 20 percent or more off Saturn Vues and Auras right now because GM is trying to run through their remaining inventory?
I didn’t either, but I’m up to speed now. These are a couple of the insights provided in TrueCar’s “TrueTrends” report, released today (and available at http://www.truecar.com/). The report also offers information on which cars are the most and least negotiable in purchase price. For obvious reasons, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen is one of the most negotiable, but who knew that the much more desireable  2010 Mini Cooper would be on the list? For the reason, read on.
Other very flexible models include the GMC Yukon (big SUVs are hard to sell these days), the Audi A5, and the Chrysler Sebring (bad ratings in Consumer Reports don’t help). Least flexible models include the VW Routan (the comeback of the minivan?), the Toyota Yaris (small cars are back), the Mazda Miata (the bestselling sports car of all time) and the Mazda5. But why does the Hummer H3 appear on this list? Again, read on. …
OK, that’s out of the way. I talked to Jesse Toprak, who is TrueCar’s vice president of industry trends and insights. “Why isn’t pricing on the Hummer H3 more flexible?” I asked. “The point is not that the least flexible models are the most expensive,” he said. “It means that they could be giving it away [a likely scenario with the H3] but they’re giving it away in a similar range. When you walk in, you know what you’re likely to pay?
And the Mini Cooper as most flexible? “That’s on the other extreme,” Toprak said. “The range of prices on the Mini Cooper is extremely wide. People can walk into the same dealership on the same day, and the one who is well informed will pay much less than sticker, and the other who is clueless will pay $3,000 over MSRP.”
Upon disparities like this, businesses are based. TrueCar is a web-based California-based startup launched last spring, with $2.8 million in A-series financing and a second round aiming to bring in a lot more early next year. Toprak is a refugee from the respected Edmunds.com, and he has helped assemble a staff of 20 in Santa Monica (with 10 hires to come). …

Side-By-Side Comparison of Routan, Odyssey, Town & Country, Sienna

Yahoo's Auto Comparison Site

The site has a few inaccuracies. Practically everything the Town & Country Limited has, the Routan SEL has. The site doesn't properly reflect Optional equipment. Among the more important items, the four vehicles are comparable. Each has pluses and minuses. It comes down to personal taste and what deals you can work out.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Reviews, Pictures and Prices

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

Volkswagen Routan tied with BMW750i in Motor Trend Car of the Year ratings

Although a mini-van, the Routan held its own in the subjective ratings. It shares 15th place with BMW 750i, Honda Insight EX, Kia Soul Sport, and Nissan 370Z. The competition was tough: Ford Fusion is Motor Trend's 2010 COTY. The Routan competed against such other fine motor cars as the Prius, VW GTI, Porsche Panamera, Mustang GT, BMW Z4, Mercedes Benz E550 Sedan, and Chevrolet Camaro among others.

Besides being in very good company, the 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE (with the lesser of two engines and lesser appointments) beat out the likes of the Ford Taurus, Mercedes Benz E350 Coupe, Kia Forte Koup SX, and Suzuki Kixashi SLS. Before you go bad mouthing those that Volkswagen beat, consider: the Routan beat a Mercedes E-class.

The 2010 Contenders were rated on Engineering, Design, Interior, Performance, Ease of Use, Safety, and Value. How the cars were evaluated can be found at Motor Trend Car of the Year. Of the cars rated better than the Routan overall, Routan is considered to have strengths in areas.

Engineering-equal to Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), Buick LaCrosse CXS (11th), Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th), and Nissan Cube (12th).

Design-equal to Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Ford Mustang GT (3rd), Mazdaspeed3 (8th), Lexus HS 250h (12th) and Nissan Cube (12th); and better than Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited (6th) and Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th).

Interior-equal to Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), and Lexus HS 250h (12th); and better than the Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th).

Performance-equal to a Nissan Cube (12th).

Ease of Use-equal to Toyota Prius (2nd), Volkswagen GTI (3rd), Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Ford Mustang GT (3rd), Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th), Mazdaspeed3 (8th), Lexus HS 250h (12th), and Nissan Cube SL (12th); and better than BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (6th), Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), Buick LaCrosse CXS (11th), and Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th).

Safety-equal to Toyota Prius (2nd), Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th), Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), and Lexus HS 250h (12th); and better than Volkswagen GTI (3rd), Ford Mustang GT (3rd), Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited (6th), BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (6th), Mazdaspeed3 (8th), Buick LaCrosse CXS (11th), Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th), and Nissan Cube SL (12th).

Value-equal to Volkswagen GTI (3rd), and Porsche Panamera S (3rd); and better than BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (6th), Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th), and Lexus HS 250h (12th).

The Volkswagen shares the most ratings (57%) with the Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Lexus HS 250h (12), and Nissan Cube SL (12th).

It shares no ratings with the Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited (6th) and BMW Z4 sDrive 351 (6th).

Pardon My French

Autonet.ca has a post Face à face : Dodge Grand Caravan contre Volkswagen Routan. I don't speak French, so I used the Bing Translator to give me an approximation of what the article says. The translation is, I suspect, very literal while the article was written in the idiom, e.g., in English we change our minds, but the French change gun shoulders. Nonetheless, here are some interesting excerpts:

• Even if the Routan derives directly from Grand Caravan, Volkswagen does not exactly target the same customer. It wants to rather join a clientele of luxury, van for example that of Honda Odyssey.
• First, you should be aware that if you are considering leasing, single Volkswagen can accommodate you and at a fairly low rate. Related to the purchase, force is to admit that the surprise is total. As you'll see on the table below, we compare two popular versions of the Town & country models and Routan, whose equipment is almost identical. And that is important to your method of payment, Volkswagen prevails.
• Obviously, you may be entitled to dealers, loyalty discounts or other discounts that could induce you to change your gun shoulder. Except that currently, by comparing apples with apples, Volkswagen remains less expensive. You are skeptical? Then, be aware that a similar exercise carried out with a Dodge Grand Caravan SXT motor 4,0 litres and a basic Trendline Routan (two comparable products) gives the same result.
• You will have noticed, the Routan is first different aesthetic level.
• In closing, be aware that Volkswagen displays numerals fuel consumption slightly more advantageous than Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & country. Why? Simply because the body of the Routan is a more aerodynamic core.

In summary, the Routan looks different (I think better), has different interior materials and a different ride (I think both are better), is more aerodynamic, and costs less.