VW Routan cool enough for the gang

Minivan outdoes hippie-mobiles

Image via Wikipedia

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wednesday, June 15, 2011
By Richard Williamson, Scripps Howard News Service
Some would argue that the first minivan was a Volkswagen Microbus.
The ubiquitous hippie-mobile that crisscrossed the country in various patterns of paint in the 1960s showed that baby boomers would bond with a car that looked and ran like a loaf of bread.
When it came time to raise a family, however, the boomers were looking for something with more status, safety and functionality….
Volkswagen never made much of a dent in the U.S. market with its Vanagon and Eurovan, minivans that sometimes seemed unnecessarily eccentric.

Image via Wikipedia

Other than its name, there's nothing eccentric about Volkswagen's current minivan, the Routan. That's because it is a rebadged version of the Dodge Grand Caravan built on Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, assembly line. …

With its first minivan since it discontinued the Eurovan in 2003, Volkswagen aimed for 5 percent of the U.S. minivan market. But economic travail sidelined those goals.
Recalls also have caused some distress. The 2009 models were recalled along with their Chrysler platform mates last June for a fire hazard stemming from an improperly routed wire harness.
Those issues aside, the Routan, like its Chrysler cousins, is a terrific vehicle that deflects "soccer-mom" aspersions with a long, flat-roofed profile, brusque front end and blunt tail. In dark paint, this minivan could accommodate a crew of gangsters without hurting their rep. …
Designed to seat seven in three rows, the Routan comes with Chrysler's amazingly simple stow-and-go third-row seats that flip into a container to create a large, flat storage surface. The loops that you pull are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4. In a few seconds, the seats are gone and the floor is utterly flat.
All Routans are powered by a new 3.6-liter engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that deliver 283 horsepower and 260 lbs./ft. of torque to the front wheels.
With fuel economy of 17 city and 25 highway mpg, the estimated annual fuel cost is $2,250. And the Routan does not require premium unleaded.
Standard 12-volt power outlets are provided for cell phones, MP3 players and game consoles.
The comfortable seats are covered in leatherette with pillow-top armrests. The second row is a set of captain's chairs, while the third row is a split-folding bench.
All 2011 Routan models include an all-new leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls, a leather-wrapped shift knob and a full array of gauges.
Storage includes dual glove boxes, a floor console with cup holders, an optional highline console with a large storage compartment, ceiling storage, door sill and rear quarter storage bins, various cargo nets and a variety of coat and bag and purse hooks.
All three seating rows get LED reading lights, while sunshades filter harsh light.
A Garmin Navigation system is optional for the SE, while Sirius Travel Link and integrated iPod interface are added to Routan SEL with Navigation.
Dual power sliding doors with power windows are standard, along with a power lift gate.
Remote keyless entry can be upgraded to a remote vehicle start system.
The Routan's ride and handling are deft and comfortable, making the minivan an outstanding road car.
Passenger protection includes front, side and head-curtain air bags, along with a knee airbag for the driver.
Active safety features include anti-lock brakes and engine braking control, along with electronic stability control.

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Volkswagen Routan: Sporty also-ran van

Boston Overdrive - Boston.com
Posted by Bill Griffith March 16, 2011 04:55 PM

(All photos: Bill Griffith/Boston.com). Click photo for larger version.
Sometimes one finds the product of a blended family in the automotive world, and that's the case with today's test car, the 2010 Volkswagen Routan SEL Premium. [Scroll down to read the 2011 model's minor changes].
It's the progeny of a brief dalliance between the former owners of Chrysler (Daimler) and Volkswagen. They mated the estimable Chrysler minivan with the VW design department in order to give VW a "people-mover" for its lineup. The result: The Routan. …
However, it doesn't connect the Routan with VW's venerable Vanagons and Eurovans. Also, any resemblance between the Routan and the original VW Microbus surely is wishful thinking.

Click photo for larger version.
The test Routan was a top-of-the-line version with navigation, onboard entertainment system, and an MSRP of $39,300 (including destination). My street tends to have an eclectic assortment of vehicles parked by the curb on any given day, and I managed to pull alongside both a Eurovan and a newer Dodge Grand Caravan to take comparison photos.
The short description of the Routan is that VW gave the Chrysler minivan a restyled nose (quite contemporary), a European-tuned suspension (well done), and upscale interior with seating for seven but minus the popular "Stow 'n Go" seating.
While lacking that popular feature, the second-row captain's chairs are quite comfortable and will fold forward or recline, but not stow away or spin around for "inside" tailgating with folks in the third row (for 2011, Dodge has discontinued the latter "Swivel 'n Go" option).

Click photo for larger version.
The third-row bench seat does fold flat to expand the cargo area, but even when it's upright, there's a deep well that is configured nicely for shopping bags or luggage.
Buttons on the key fob control the sliding doors on either side of the
Routan as well as the power liftgate. All these operations can also be controlled via the overhead console; in addition, the second-row passengers have an open/close button and there's a tailgate closing button on the back doorframe.
The fob also has a remote start feature. …
Most minivan drivers and passengers enjoy those vehicles' inherent high seating position. Mrs. G, however, felt the passenger's seat was both too high and lacking in legroom. The driver's side seat, on the other hand, had power adjustments and plenty of legroom. An annoyance was that the center armrests had to be raised to buckle the seatbelts. The leather seats were comfortable, heated, and gave the minivan a near-luxury feel.
VW's adjustments to the suspension added to that perception. The Routan was stable and predictable on the highway and handled our latest stretch of bad-road test track with aplomb. There was a nice combination of stiffness, spring damping, and sound absorption to make the ride feel decidedly high quality.
The Routan had well-chosen soft-touch dashboard materials with a useful tray in the top center. Instruments were VW-designed with white background (black markings and red needles) and white digital readouts for additional onboard computer information. It was attractive in most situations except when hit by direct sunlight which washed out the digital display and showed just the electronic circuits underneath. The three-zone (left-right-rear) automatic climate control was located low on the center stack and easy to read and use.

Click photo for larger version.
Above that, however, was a standard-issue Chrysler navigation and audio screen. If you own it, you get used to it, but it's tedious for the casual user. The rearview display was needed because rear visibility through the rear quarter windows was blocked by rear headrests.
We averaged a meager 16.9 miles per gallon on a first stretch of mostly city driving but the van seemed to use less gas on a later unmetered highway run.
The 4.0-liter V-6 produced an adequate 253 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, sending the power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. We always felt there was plenty of acceleration available, but the Routan would downshift routinely on big highway climbs, perhaps the result of the vehicle's 4,621 pounds or perhaps in need of recalibrating the shift points.
VW has taken a decidedly low-key marketing approach with this stepchild, which won't help sales with the new Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, Mazda 5 and Nissan Quest minivans fighting for a segment that the manufacturers are hoping to revitalize.

Click photo for larger version.

---

2011 updates

Being a single 25-year-old man automatically makes me a poor minivan tester. But when I rented a Grand Caravan with some friends in Arizona a few months ago, I practically saluted it after a 1,000-mile road trip. While minivans look like toasters, there's no other body style that can haul five adults and their gear in total comfort.
In Boston, I was mostly alone driving this 2011 Routan SE, a mid-level trim with vinyl "leatherette," navigation, and rear-seat entertainment. Following the updated 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, the 2011 Routan shares Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter V-6, good for 283 horsepower.
A new 6-speed automatic replaces the 5-speed, and during my drive it was quick to kick down and devoid of abrupt shift changes. The steering wheel receives an upgrade, with a thicker, softer leather-covered rim and buttons for the cruise control and trip computer. On the underside at the "9" and "3" positions are cleverly hidden radio controls.
The best part of the Routan is the steering — nicely-weighted, responsive, and connected to the road. As Bill notes, the suspension is truly surprising in its deftness. Most minivans, even the 2011 Honda Odyssey I'm driving now, are languid and write off sporty handling entirely.
But beyond the attractive styling and real aluminum trim on the doors, there's little to convince us the Routan is a Volkswagen. The brand confusion can be seen at night, where switchgear illuminates in VW's bright red and the instrument cluster stays a Chrysler light blue. Unless you find a good deal, there's little reason to prefer a Routan over the 2011 Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country, which I found quite fun to drive on curvy, back roads.
The Routan isn't a bad choice, it's just lacking the competition's higher-quality interiors and flexibility (the Odyssey's cooled drink bin and flip-up trash container, or the new Caravan's sliding center drawer and those trick second-row seats). While the Routan's driving dynamics impress, for the money it's not the best choice in this segment.
— Clifford Atiyeh

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VW ROUTAN vs DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Buyers Guide
SEE ALSO: Dodge Buyers Guide

The Auto Channel site
HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel
INTRO TO THE ROUTAN AND CARAVAN VEHICLES
One well-known minivan – the Dodge Grand Caravan – gets pitted against a relatively newcomer to the family driving market, the Volkswagen Routan. Will German engineering beat American-made machinery? Or will the Routan be revealed as a clone or “Mini-Me” to the Caravan?

Image via CrunchBaseI drove a 2010 VW Routan with a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in S, SE, SEL and Premium trims; my SE test drive featured a healthy list of standards for a step above base including an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, tri-zone manual climate control, removable second-row captain's chairs, the upgraded V-tex upholstery, Bluetooth and an upgraded audio system with a 6-CD changer. The addition of the RSE (rear seat entertainment) brought a DVD player, a power liftgate and satellite radio. Total vehicle price came to $33,500. There were no add-on packages to configure.

And I drove a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan also with a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in a base van, SE, Hero and SXT trims; my Hero test drive featured a trip computer, heated exterior mirrors, third-row power ventilated windows, 3-zone temperature control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifting knob and a 6-speaker audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio. Optional packages included a $1,495 Popular Equipment Group (remote start, power liftgate, passenger-side power sliding doors), a $1,875 Single Screen DVD Entertainment System (6.5-inch touch-screen display, 30GB hard drive for storing songs, backup camera) and a $220 special sliding front console with cup holders. Total vehicle price came to $29,490.
Don’t let the Routan’s slightly different looks fool you: If you haven’t figured it out yet based on engine stats, the minivan is essentially a rebadged of the Caravan. Both feature the … third-row Stow ‘n Go seating system, and identical safety features and results.
HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA
Stylish But Comfortable Results: Two major interior differences were apparent: The Routan had a nicer or “leatherette” seating material and a navigation system, whereas the Caravan had cloth seating material and no navigation. The dash build inside the Routan is a little larger or expansive, which give a sense of more frontal space. [The Caravan has] the standard Stow 'n Go setup, which consists of a pair of second-row captain's chairs that disappear into the floor along with the third-row bench for a flat floor featuring 140 cubic feet of cargo room. Unfortunately, Stow 'n Go seatbacks aren't as comfortable as larger seats.
Reliability & Safety Factor: Safety features are the same – but I find it odd the Caravan charges for anti-lock brakes (ABS) in their Power Equipment Group. Powertrain and basic warranties are the same. Both feature “Good” rating for frontal and side impact crash tests with the IIHS. But the only minivan on the 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick is the Toyota Sienna.
Cost Issues: Base price for the Routan starts at $ while base price for the Grand Caravan begins at $21,800. Look into current Dodge incentives. The most surprising thing about the Routan is how affordable VW allowed this minivan to be.
Activity & Performance Ability: The driving experiences of the V6 engines are identical – swift, responsive and quiet. The difference is in the seating. Do you want to sit up high, like a bus driver? Choose the Caravan. The Routan’s driver seat tends to cradle the body more. It has been slighted repeatedly by critics both vehicles cannot compare to the performance of the Honda Odyssey in regards to handling refinement.
The Green Concern: Both vehicles retain 16-city/23-highway driving mpg for an average of 18 mpg – to be expected with a V6 engine. The smaller 4-cylinder found inside the Toyota Sienna can get you 19-city/24-highway driving mpg for about a 2-mpg improvement.
FINAL PARTING WORDS
The Grand Caravan feels a little bland next to the VW Routan’s special German genes that make an un-cool car like a minivan into something sleek and desirable. Furthermore, consumers should not have to pay extra for some of the Caravan’s optional features like a power liftgate, remote start and special cup holders; I also l appreciated how the Routan doesn’t offer such traditional packages but just well-equipped trims. And prices are the same when you consider my Routan test drive was equipped with a touch-screen navigation system and the Caravan test drive was not.
©2010 Katrina Ramser

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Heels on Wheels: Minivan Comparison: VW ROUTAN vs DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Buyers Guide
SEE ALSO: Dodge Buyers Guide
The Auto Channel
HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel
INTRO TO THE ROUTAN AND CARAVAN VEHICLES
One well-known minivan – the Dodge Grand Caravan – gets pitted against a relatively newcomer to the family driving market, the Volkswagen Routan. Will German engineering beat American-made machinery? Or will the Routan be revealed as a clone or “Mini-Me” to the Caravan?

Image via CrunchBaseI drove a 2010 VW Routan with a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in S, SE, SEL and Premium trims; my SE test drive featured a healthy list of standards for a step above base including an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, tri-zone manual climate control, removable second-row captain's chairs, the upgraded V-tex upholstery, Bluetooth and an upgraded audio system with a 6-CD changer. The addition of the RSE (rear seat entertainment) brought a DVD player, a power liftgate and satellite radio. Total vehicle price came to $33,500. There were no add-on packages to configure.

And I drove a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan also with a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in a base van, SE, Hero and SXT trims; my Hero test drive featured a trip computer, heated exterior mirrors, third-row power ventilated windows, 3-zone temperature control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifting knob and a 6-speaker audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio. Optional packages included a $1,495 Popular Equipment Group (remote start, power liftgate, passenger-side power sliding doors), a $1,875 Single Screen DVD Entertainment System (6.5-inch touch-screen display, 30GB hard drive for storing songs, backup camera) and a $220 special sliding front console with cup holders. Total vehicle price came to $29,490.
Don’t let the Routan’s slightly different looks fool you: If you haven’t figured it out yet based on engine stats, the minivan is essentially a rebadged of the Caravan. Both feature the second and third-row Stow ‘n Go seating system, and identical safety features and results.
HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA
Stylish But Comfortable Results: Two major interior differences were apparent: The Routan had a nicer or “leatherette” seating material and a navigation system, whereas the Caravan had cloth seating material and no navigation. The dash build inside the Routan is a little larger or expansive, which give a sense of more frontal space. Both vehicles have the standard Stow 'n Go setup, which consists of a pair of second-row captain's chairs that disappear into the floor along with the third-row bench for a flat floor featuring 140 cubic feet of cargo room. Unfortunately, Stow 'n Go seatbacks aren't as comfortable as larger seats.
Reliability & Safety Factor: Safety features are the same – but I find it odd the Caravan charges for anti-lock brakes (ABS) in their Power Equipment Group. Powertrain and basic warranties are the same. Both feature “Good” rating for frontal and side impact crash tests with the IIHS. But the only minivan on the 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick is the Toyota Sienna.
Cost Issues: Base price for the Routan starts at $ while base price for the Grand Caravan begins at $21,800. Look into current Dodge incentives. The most surprising thing about the Routan is how affordable VW allowed this minivan to be.
Activity & Performance Ability: The driving experiences of the V6 engines are identical – swift, responsive and quiet. The difference is in the seating. Do you want to sit up high, like a bus driver? Choose the Caravan. The Routan’s driver seat tends to cradle the body more. It has been slighted repeatedly by critics both vehicles cannot compare to the performance of the Honda Odyssey in regards to handling refinement.
The Green Concern: Both vehicles retain 16-city/23-highway driving mpg for an average of 18 mpg – to be expected with a V6 engine. The smaller 4-cylinder found inside the Toyota Sienna can get you 19-city/24-highway driving mpg for about a 2-mpg improvement.
FINAL PARTING WORDS
The Grand Caravan feels a little bland next to the VW Routan’s special German genes that make an un-cool car like a minivan into something sleek and desirable. Furthermore, consumers should not have to pay extra for some of the Caravan’s optional features like a power liftgate, remote start and special cup holders; I also l appreciated how the Routan doesn’t offer such traditional packages but just well-equipped trims. And prices are the same when you consider my Routan test drive was equipped with a touch-screen navigation system and the Caravan test drive was not.
©2010 Katrina Ramser

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My New Love.... My Volkswagon Routan

Six in the Suburbs | Same Family. Different Stories. One Blog

Image via WikipediaAlong with most new mothers I had vowed to never ever get a MINI-VAN.
   However, with both the kids in clunky car seats, the 5-seater SUV just wasn't cuttin' it anymore. That is where my love story begins with my new mini-van, and I couldn't be any prouder. Not only can you change & feed a baby on the back bench- you can change & eat back there yourself! When that back bench isn't needed it can be stored in the floor giving you space equal to that of a pick-up truck for shopping trips to your local wholesale club or hardware superstore.
   Our first day together my 3 year old helped me to stock it with everything we'd need in our travels. There was a spot for each and every item I already had two of in the linen closet and a spare outfit for each of us just in case. First-Aid kit, an old-but-still-good towel, a roll of paper towels & toilet paper, snacks, movies, juice boxes, yadda-yadda-yadda. …

Image via Wikipedia[The blog post goes on about toileting matters that only a Mommy could love] …in a nice little compartment that my precious VW Routan is equipped with! …

   I am by genetics a napper. Both of my parents love a good nap, and I was raised to take it as it comes. So when the two kids are napping and I have accomplished anything that can be accomplished by drive-thru window I crawl on back and AHHHHHH......get snuggled in. Of course I've got blankets and a pillow always on reserve so comfort is a given. When you've got the room of a mini-van you can easily be prepared for those opened opportunities to get a little R & R.
Needless to say: There is no way I would have been able to do all this in anything other than a mini-van!
- M.L.E

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2010 Routan Fact Video from a dealership

Five Popular German-Made Cars

Travel and Explore Germany

When you think German, you think quality, and that's what we all want from our next car. German cars comes in all shapes, sizes and price tags, with some of the top selling models on the market to meet and exceed most budgets. If you want some of that German engineering parked in your own driveway, try one of these top picks for German handling and stability.
1. Porsche 911
In the popularity stakes, the Porsche 911 has to come in at first. This beautiful beast of a car is made by the Volkswagen group. Debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, it has evolved over the years, often being modified with various porche parts by competition teams and since has won numerous world champion sports car races. In Germany, the 911 is a top seller, outdoing the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.
2. VW Jetta
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe second place winner also comes from the Volkswagen company with their tried and true Jetta, available in four or six cylinder models. Choose from a Jetta body type in sedan or wagon style for snappy German engineering to suits most budgets. A unique feature in the four cylinder Volkswagon cars in the added horsepower with a 2.5 liter engine. They have near the power of a six cylinder, yet get the fuel economy closer to a four cylinder, situated just right somewhere in the middle engine ground.
3. Audi A3T 2.0 Premium
The A3T 2.0 Premium is mid-sized and affordable luxury from the experts at Audi, offering a spacious hatchback A3T model with plenty of room for luggage, groceries and sporting equipment. This four cylinder engine gets great gas mileage and has earned itself a five-star consumer rating for handling and dependability.
4.Image via Wikipedia VW Routan
When only a passenger van will do, VW offers a roomy and elegant way to travel with the newly developed Routan. The 3.7 liter V6 engine cranks up plenty of power, and the interior styling and ambience has come a long way from the classic VW Bus. Priced competitively with a Toyota Sienna, the Routan is German excellenceat the price you want to pay.

Image by Michi1308 via Flickr5.BMW 135 i
Quality assurance is a done deal with any make and model from BMW. Low on maintenance and high on road performance, BMW's bottom priced vehicle has no shortage with German excellence and trendy styling, including striking automotive backlit buttons and fascias. The sporty 135i coup comes equipped with a hefty 3.0 liter engine and standard features that exceed most of its competition. Not too cheap, yet affordable if you want it, the BMW 135i is an investment into roadside safety and award-winning looks.

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Volkswagen Vans - Different Options To Choose From

Volkswagen Vans offers three different vans options to choice from. They all have style and great performance as rated by the customers that have purchased them.

kokobware.net

Volkswagen EuroVan

Image via WikipediaFrom 1993 to 2003 Volkswagen manufactured the Eurovan. Earlier versions has a low power engine but thee Volkswagen Vans changed it because of customer demand. All models came stand with air conditioning, power windows, and power door locks. They also had driver and passenger side airbags. This can be found at dealerships that sell used vehicles or from individual owners. Overall customers who purchased this van have loved it especially the later models.

Volkswagen Routan

Image via WikipediaThe first year of making this van was in 2009.  It is a seven passenger van that offers a lot for a busy family. The Routan is built just like the Dodge Caravan and the Town and Country by Chrysler. Actually the are all made at the same plant in Canada. This van has a European feel to it. It is still very stylish and full of features. This van has room for seven passengers and all their stuff. The Volkswagen Vans Routan has thirteen cup holders, this alone can almost decide if you may want to purchase this van. Plus there is a third row fold in the floor seat. Additionally included in all models are rear and front 12V power outlets for all your gadgets charging needs.

Volkswagen Vanagon

Image via WikipediaThis van was manufactured from 1988 to 1991. There were several versions to choose from during that time span. You had  the standard Vanagon, Vanagon GL, GL Camper, Carat,  Multivan, and finally the Wolfsburg Limited Edition. They all came with a 2.1 liter engine. These vans were considered the ultimate family vehicles with carpeting , air conditioning, front bucket seats, and a padded instrument panel. Most owners of these vehicles are in love with them. They are no manufactured any longer but can be found at used car dealers or purchased from previous owners.

No matter what you are looking for Volkswagen Vans has designed a van that can fit the needs of your family. Compare the models side by side. New or used you will not be disappointed by either vehicle.

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Road Test: 2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline

Image via Wikipedia

National Post

By Brian Harper, July 30, 2010 10:58 AM

The Routan has different sheetmetal, but it is essentially the same as the Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country.

Photograph by: Brian Harper for National Post, National Post

When it comes to seven-seat (or more) people movers, one thing I know for sure: I am not, nor have I ever been, a minivan person. Of Volkswagen's Routan, one other thing I know for sure -- it isn't your hippie cousin's Microbus.

Now, I have nothing against minivans per se. I live in the suburbs. … In years to come, they will be remembered by the Gen-X and Millennial generations with the same fondness Baby Boomers have for the family station wagon. Almost all of our friends with two or more children had one parked in their driveways, when they weren't in use transporting the progeny to after-hours activity programs (hockey, soccer, dance, etc.). Equally, all of our friends with two or more children got rid of them as soon as the kids grew up. In short, discounting their use by those in the trades, minivans were/are highly pragmatic grudge purchases. But, let's face it, in terms of excitement, they border on somnolence.

As for the Routan, despite the Volkswagen logos affixed to its slab-sided body, it is as Canadian as maple syrup. That's because it is manufactured in Windsor, Ont. by the good folks at Chrysler. Oh, the sheetmetal has been tweaked slightly and there are certain specific VW cues inside, but the Routan is essentially the more familiar Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country. Why? Well, because Volkswagen didn't have a seven-passenger vehicle in its North American lineup for customers who wanted to move up to something larger. And, since the minivan market is in a decline, why go to the expense of building and/or certifying your own when you can have someone else do it for you?

So, the Routan comes with same 4.0-litre SOHC V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission as in the Town & Country …, churning out a solid 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, which means the 2,096-kilogram minivan has more than enough juice to get out of its own way. Testing of the Chrysler by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada turned up numbers of 8.6 seconds to get from zero to 100 kilometres an hour and 7.6 seconds to accelerate to 120 km/h from 80, which is pretty quick for a two-ton brick. The V6 is also fairly quiet in operation and, considering the mass it's moving, it is not overly swinish at the pumps. I averaged 12.8 litres per 100 km for a week, combining highway and suburban commuting, on par or better than many of the smaller SUVs and crossovers that are replacing minivans in the driveways of suburbia.
VW says the Routan features a unique European-tuned suspension and steering "matched for handling and improved driving dynamics in the tradition of Volkswagen's German engineering heritage." Apparently, this is public relations bumph for stiffer springs, dampers and bushings to quell unwanted body motion and impart a measure of connectivity with the road. While the Routan won't tackle a highway on-ramp with the same aplomb as VW's GTI uber-hatch, neither does it wallow like a trawler in the North Sea. Stopping short of fun to drive, it is nonetheless competent enough to impress. Said suspension doesn't compromise ride quality, either, as bumps, potholes and other tarmac irregularities are equally dismissed.
The raison d'etre of all passenger minivans is to haul people and stuff. The Routan offers seating for seven in three rows with 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. For carrying more cargo, stow the third-row seats into the floor and the space increases to a cavernous 84.7 cu. ft. The seatbacks in the second row can be folded flat if even more room is required for longer items, with storage compartments and cup holders aplenty throughout the van.
Chrysler has to keep a few things proprietary, so the Routan doesn't get the cool second-row Stow 'n Go or optional Swivel 'n Go seats. In all but the base Trendline version (which gets a bench seat), the Routan counters with front and middle-row captain's chairs. Big and comfy, they sit high off the floor, providing a commanding view out. Legroom can be a mite tight for taller folk in the second row if those in the front are equally of the long-legged variety.
Along with the Trendline, there are three other trim levels--Comfortline, Highline and Execline, with increasingly more content. Standard features in all Routans include three-zone climate control, a CD player with six speakers, dual sliding side doors, front and side curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and Electronic Stabilization Program. …bharper@nationalpost.com---------
THE SPECS:
Type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive minivan
Engine: 4.0L SOHC V6
Power: 251 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 259 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires: P225/65R17 (optional)
Price: base/as tested $40,575/$43,700
Destination charge: $1,580
Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 12.2 city, 7.9 hwy.
Standard features: Automatic three-zone climate control, cruise control, dual power sliding doors, leather seats, heated front and second-row seats, second-row fold-flat captain's chairs, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, power windows and mirrors, power vent windows, power sunroof, power-adjustable floor pedals, power tailgate, AM/FM/six-CD audio system with satellite radio and six speakers, automatic headlights, front fog lights, trip computer, manual second-and third-row sunshades, rear overhead storage compartments, removable front centre floor console, UConnect hands-free phone system, tire pressure monitoring system
© Copyright (c) National Post

VW's Americanized microbus

The Times-Tribune

Published: July 17, 2010

Just as Ford did with the Mustang, German automaker Volkswagen achieved cultural significance on our side of the Atlantic thanks to its original Beetle and Microbus.
VW mined America's extensive veins of nostalgia in 1998 with the cute-as-a-bug New Beetle, a car that tickled American tastes and sold like hotcakes for the first few years.
The Microbus meanwhile underwent a series of transformations that led to the last-generation Eurovan, which looked for all the world like a storage unit on wheels but was nevertheless much-loved by VW cognoscenti.
The beginning of the new millennium brought news of the next-generation VW van, a retro-cool re-imagining that recalled the original microbus the same way that the New Beetle recalled the old one.
That vehicle never got beyond concept phase. An inflated Euro priced it out of competition in the U.S. market.
Enter the Routan. While the badge on the front grill and rear power liftgate say "VW," it doesn't take a trained eye to tell that there's more Detroit than Wolfsburg about the Routan. It's unmistakably a re-badged Chrylser Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan.
Re-badging is not new. Honda did it with the Passport (actually an Isuzu Rodeo) and Pontiac stuck its nameplate on a Toyota Matrix to create the Vibe. The practice allows a carmaker to economically fill a gap in its lineup without ramp-up production costs.
And given that the Chrysler and Dodge minivan variants are comfortable and thoroughly competent, the Routan should and does benefit from shared family roots. That said, Chrysler evidently decided to preserve its ingenious Stow'n'Go and Swivel'n'Go rear seating systems for its own products, as they're not offered in the VW.
The Routan comes in four basic flavors: basic S, slightly more upscale SE, SEL and SEL Premium, all of which are front-wheel driven and fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission. Prices start around 24 grand and spiral upward to better than $40,000 for all-the-way samples.
There's a choice of two Chrysler-sourced engines. S and SE models are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 196 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. The SEL models get a 4-liter V6 that bumps output to 256 hp and 262 ft-lbs. Curiously, the larger engine bests the smaller one in fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 17/25 mpg city/highway - one and two mpg better, respectively.
Our test vehicle was a "Lily-White" (really!) SE equipped with a dual-screen rear seat entertainment system and satellite navigation. The as-tested sticker price of $34,300 was mid-pack in the Routan lineup and comparable to its Chrysler counterparts.
As I wrote earlier, the Routan's American underpinnings are plain to see, despite VW redesigning the front fascia and taillight assembly. But the squared-off and businesslike shape of the Town & Country always looked good to my eye, so it's not a problem here.
Likewise, the interior design mimics the Chrysler product, save for some nicely contoured leather seats, a VW-sourced steering wheel and a redesigned centerstack that, while plainer-looking than the Chrysler's, features VeeDub's trademark red backlighting. The dashboard and trim pieces have a higher quality feel than the hard plastics used in the Chrysler and Dodge versions.
As expected, space abounds inside. The front buckets and roomy second-row captain's chairs should keep any normally sized adult happy for a long haul. The split and reclining third-row is probably best left to kids. With 10 cupholders, road-trip thirst shouldn't be a problem.
There's 32.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, a number that balloons to a 144-cubic-foot maximum.
Ride quality is very good, with the softly-sprung independent suspension. The 3.8-liter V6 provides only adequate acceleration, making the larger engine worth the extra coin in my book. Steering reponse is precise and predictable and the four-wheel disc brakes bring things to a stop quickly and smoothly. ABS is standard. 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE
n Vehicle type: Four-door, seven-passenger minivan
n Base/as-tested prices: $33,500/$34,300
n Engine: 3.8-liter V6, 196 hp, 230 ft-lbs torque
n EPA estimates: 16/23 mpg city/highway
n Good: Voluminous and nicely designed interior; smooth ride; comfortable, supportive seats; top-tier safety ratings.
n Bad: Optional larger 4-liter V6 worth the price; not different enough from its underlying Chrysler/Dodge-sourced family hauler; gets expensive with options.
n Bottom line: Commodious and comfortable (like the Town & Country), the Routan still lags competitors such as the Honda Odyssey (like the Town & Country).

Riding in Style with the Volkswagen Routan: On the Road to Sesame Place

Mommies With Style blog

Wed, Jun 23, 2010

We recently took a road trip down to Sesame Place as a mini-family vacation, before our third child arrives in August. I was able to test drive a Volkswagen Routan (MSRP $25,000- $42,500) down to Langhorne, PA, from our home in New York City.

The Routan was absolutely fantastic. As someone who hasn’t driven a new vehicle since 1994, I immediately fell in love with it. We were able to go from Queens to Langhorne (and back) without refueling! The ride was smooth – we did not feel a single bump in the road! City mileage per gallon was 17 and highway mileage per gallon was 25.

The features were terrific — we loved the dual remote-controlled power-sliding doors, remote-controlled rear door, rearview backup camera, luxurious leather seats, DVD players, satellite navigation system and radio, and the U Connect Bluetooth! There are several versions of the Routan; the S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium- which ranges from basic to fully loaded).

The Rearview Backup Camera was genius. When you’re backing up, you see live video of things like kids and pets — as well as other vehicles who might be behind you. It was like having eyes in the back of your head! The Routan also had front and rear 12V power outlets — so you can recharge things on the go. If you put the two rear seat rows down, there is 144 cubic feet of available cargo space. Since we have two children at the current time (#3 comes in August), we put the rearmost seat down and used that for storage.

The JoyBox Entertainment System went over really well. The multimedia rear-seat entertainment system has a hard drive and a USB port, so one can transfer music and picture files from CDs and even play movies while parked. It was great to play DVDS for my kids as we drove. There’s a screen for 2nd and 3rd rows. Also, the touch-screen navigation system can let me map out our route back and forth to Sesame Place. The only thing we didn’t like about the navigation was that it kept telling us it was rerouting due to traffic. It said this constantly and drove my husband crazy — we usually use a detachable Garmin GPS that doesn’t do that. We wished we could find out why the touch-screen navigation in the Routan was doing this and ended up turning it off most of the time. The seats were roomy and the version we tested came with sumptuous soft leather seats. As someone who just learned how to work bluetooh (thanks to Jabra), I loved that I could pair my phone with the Routan’s UConnect^® Bluetooth^® system, which let you answer and make calls by using voice commands. We really enjoyed testing the VW Routan and can recommend this vehicle 100%!

Volkswagen North America provided a VW Routan for review purposes.

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.

…

{Highly edited} 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE - Volkswagen Minivan Review

Automobile Magazine

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

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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

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The VW Routan has ample room for all your goods, kids, and what have you, but it's not for dad.

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

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The Routan catches a lot of flack from automotive journalists, … but it still has some very solid merits (space, utility, comfort, etc). Those merits just all happen to match those of Chrysler's almost identical minivans, with the added bonus of some slightly better interior trim for front-row occupants.

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

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…

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

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… Perhaps the slight design changes and different badges make this van more palatable in certain markets, but I don't get it. I think we'd all love a cool new minivan from VW that has some sort of connection to the vans and busses in the company's past, but this isn't even close to the mark.

Phil Floraday, Senior Online Editor

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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