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).

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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.

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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.

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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

Related articles

• Volkswagen Routan Accessories. (ctsgrilles.wordpress.com)
• Routan production being evaluated (windsorstar.com)
• Bulli: Volkswagen Microbus Reincarnated with an iPad Twist, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings (lowendmac.com)

Hertz Rent2Buy Review - Part 3 - Colleen to the Rescue

Mirthful Moose Musings

... We talked about the fact that I was looking for a VW Routan, and that I wanted the SE model that came with 2 packages, key among them was the towing package which allows you to tow up to 3500 pounds.  It included air shocks in the back and an automatic leveling feature that helps accomplish this.  …

Image by crazytales562 via Flickr...  The seats were uber comfortable.  The Routan is a rebadged Chrysler Town and Country.  In fact, my new name for it is the Grand Caravagen.  It's tweaked a little from the standard Dodge/Chrysler faire... some reviews say it's suspension and steering are much tighter.  … But it does sport some nice VW type interior items and probably most importantly, they DO NOT have the Stow 'n Go middle seats.  The VW seats are removable but not stowable.  The bins that they fold into are still there, and these are spacious and will get use.  But most importantly, the seats are COMFORTABLE... it's like a Lazy Boy... The front seats are heated, there are power windows everywhere, including the vents in the back... The rear seats have the same Tailgate seating option, and the cargo room behind them is amazing... A trip to the warehouse club with a full cart equates to filling up the bins the rear seats fold flat into... TONS of room.  I'm very happy with the van.  But back to the test drive...

Image via WikipediaOn Sunday, the family piled in and took a beautiful ride through the Berkshires to look at the foliage.  Everyone was impressed with the van, and all agreed it was a great car.  So the family gave it a thumbs up.  I averaged 23 MPG on that cruise, …  Fairly impressive for such a big and heavy van.

…  And the nice thing is that I can go to a Chrysler/Dodge dealership for that, or the VW dealership, and bid them against each other on it!
Anyway, I decided that the car was a good deal, ...

Related articles

• Road Test: 2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline (nationalpost.com)
• Report: Hertz, Dollar Thrifty agree on higher bid (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Volkswagen Aims At Fast Lane in U.S. (online.wsj.com)

2010 Routan Fact Video from a dealership

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).

2010 Volkswagen Routan Execline Road Test Review

Confused Identity?

carpages.ca

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Chris "Emmy" Jackson » Canadian Auto Press

Zoom In
Who'd ever guess that the world's best-selling minivan hides under the Routan's skin, and its GC/T&C roots are a good thing in this case. (Photo: VW)
So, before you ask: no, Volkswagen's minivan isn't a Microbus. It doesn't look like a Microbus, and it doesn't have the same attitude. And I don't know why that's the case. Yes, I know it would have been awesome if VW had recreated the Microbus.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let me introduce you to the Volkswagen Routan. It's not the sort of van that Volkswagen is known for, but it's got plenty going for it nonetheless. Rather than designing its own van from the ground up, Volkswagen teamed up with the avowed minivan experts of the industry at Chrysler. Since it's arguable whether Chrysler or Volkswagen invented the minivan, with the early-eighties Dodge Caravan or late-fifties Microbus, respectively, it seems only fitting that these two companies would join forces. The Routan is based directly on the Chrysler Town & Country.
Zoom In
Looks good coming and going... (Photo: VW)
At a glance, this isn't obvious. Volkswagen has done a good job of giving the Routan a complete exterior makeover. This seven-passenger van shares the VW lineup's smooth, uncluttered lines and a handsome grille whose contour lines dip into the front bumper.  The headlights are a combination of round and angled elements, like those of the Passat, and high-intensity discharge headlamps are available.  At the rear, gently curving taillights flank a large rear hatch, the better for swallowing cargo.
Zoom In
Layout is identical, materials are better. (Photo: VW)
Zoom In
Fabulous family hauler gets best-in-class features of Chrysler vans with VW refinements. (Photo: VW)
The Passat seems to have donated its instrument panel as well; Volkswagen drivers will find a familiar layout and materials when sitting in the front seats.  Moving back in the Routan, however, the illusion begins to unravel. The materials are nicer, but the layout is identical to that of the Chrysler Town & Country on which it's based. That's not a wholly bad thing, of course, as the Routan is available with dual power sliding doors, a 115-volt outlet for household electronics and a remote start, like the Chrysler. The sound system's head unit and the available touch-screen navigation system are lifted from Chrysler's parts bin, and though they don't quite fit ergonomically with the Volkswagen bits, they're easy enough to use. Ultrasonic rear parking assist is available, as is a JoyBox Multi-Media entertainment system with a 30GB hard drive and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with dual nine-inch video screens for second and third-row passengers. Chrysler's cool UConnect mobile wi-fi is also available on the Routan. The power-operated third-row seat folds into the floor or flips over for tailgating parties, but the Routan doesn't offer Chrysler's rotating Swivel n' Go seating (with the centre table like VW's old camperized bus) or the Stow n' Go seating system that allows the second row seats to be tumbled under the floor when more cargo room is needed; the VW's second-row captain chairs are more comfortable however. …
Zoom In
Nothing better than a minivan for versatility, and the Routan is big inside. (Photo: VW)
…Two V6 powerplants are offered; a 3.6-litre V6 that produces 197 horsepower and a 253 horse 4.0-litre V6.  The 4.0 is the more sophisticated of the two, and it's got enough power to adequately propel the 2,000+kilo (4,500-pound) Routan. Six-speed transmissions are standard with both engines, so fuel economy is decent, topping out at an EPA equivalent 9.4 L/100km on the highway; the Canadian rating system estimates 7.4 L/100km, while the city rating is 12.2 via the Canadian system or 13.8 by more realistic US EPA standards.
Zoom In
The Routan delivers a fabulous ride and decent handling. (Photo: VW)
To sum it all up, you'll have to lose those expectations of a GTI-like driving experience. The Routan's suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front and a twist beam at the rear. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard, as it is on all VW products, and anti-lock brakes are also standard. The Routan is a competent driver, but the underpinnings lack the Germanic touch of the rest of the VW lineup.
Routan pricing is in line with the rest of the Volkswagen lineup--that is to say, it starts out reasonably enough, and can be equipped up to top-line luxury levels. The base Routan Trendline starts at $28,075, and walks all the way up to a base price of $50,575 for the top of the line Execline. This model has no options, kitted out with a navigation system, sunroof, power-folding third row seat, remote start and the rear air suspension, making it a top-flight minivan. …

2010 VW Routan SE Review: Options & Driving Impressions Part 2

Denver Commuter Examiner

June 24, 6:14 AMDenis Flierl

2010 VW Routan SE

2010 VW Routan SE Review: Options- Day 4

The best part of the Routan is the interior options that turn this minivan into a rolling entertainment room on wheels. The first thing I did was turn on the radio and was surprised at the quality of sound from the AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 sound system that comes with one year of Sirius satellite radio. From a drivers perspective you also get a rear view camera to see those hidden objects when backing up. A nice little feature my moms liked was a drop down wide angle mirror to see all the kid’s activity in the rear without having to turn around. Our kids always thought mom had eyes in the back of her head.

The radio is conveniently set high on the center of the dash making it easy for the driver to reach. VW offers a version of Chrysler's UConnect Tunes and UConnect GPS hard-drive radios called JoyBox. JoyBox is also offered in two versions, one with a navigation system and one without. Both include a touchscreen, and both versions have a 30-gigabyte hard drive that holds thousands of song and picture files. Those files can be burned from a CD or downloaded into the vehicle's USB outlet. When navigation is ordered, the hard drive also holds navigation map information. The navigation system has voice activation, and comes with one year of Sirius satellite radio.

Moving to the back we get the kids and moms excited. My test vehicle came with the dual rear DVD entertainment system. There is a nine-inch DVD screen in the second row and one for the third row also. When the vehicle is in Park, video can be sent to the front navigation screen. In addition, video game systems can be plugged in, and each row can watch or play something different. Four sets of headphones are provided. My moms all agreed that this would keep things relatively quiet on long trips.
Routan SE ($33,500) has three-zone manual climate control, six-disc CD changer, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, lumbar adjustment for front passenger seat, second-row captain's chairs, power side doors, overhead storage system, steering wheel audio controls, second- and third-row sunshades, universal garage door opener, security alarm, and P225/65R17 tires on alloy wheels. The SE also comes with USB connection, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, rearview camera, power liftgate, and automatic headlights.

Safety equipment includes dual-stage front airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, ABS with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. …

2010 VW Routan SE Review: Driving- Day 5

Minivans are not known for their great driving or performance characteristics. And most people who purchase these vehicles are not looking for that anyway. …

Volkswagen did make some suspension tweaks to make this van its own. They made changes to the springs, dampers, bushings and steering gear. However, without any changes to the suspension geometry, the Routan still handles and rides much like any other minivan. Volkswagen says that the Routan has a European ride and handling, but its hard to tell if there is a big difference between the Routan and the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan.

There is only so much a manufacturer can do with a vehicle that is tall, heavy and long. … They are designed to haul people and do it in comfort. One thing we can do is compare it to other minivans in its class like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. The steering ratio has been tweaked to that of the Chrysler, but it still has lots of body roll when driven hard into a corner. Granted, most owners will never drive this aggressively, but the Honda Odyssey or Nissan Quest minivans offer tighter, more responsive handling.

But the majority of people are looking for a smooth ride and reasonable performance. This is where the Routan can deliver. Normal bumps and driving conditions are handled without transmitting a jolt to passengers. Like any tall and long vehicle, it does have a little bit of a floaty feel on the highway, but doesn’t seem to have as much as the Town & Country. It has less sway and feels tighter at high speeds.
The Routan I tested offers acceptable performance for its segment, with the six-cylinder, 3.8-liter engine delivering 197 horsepower. Volkswagen Routan also comes with a powerful 4.0-liter, 251-horsepower engine in the SEL and SEL Premium models.

The Volkswagen Routan has always been a safety superstar, earning excellent grades in government and insurance industry crash tests. Safety features on the 2010 Routan include dual front airbags, front/rear side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, an electronic stabilization program, an Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), and a tire-pressure monitoring system….

Mechanical- Day 6

The Routan uses the same engines that Chrysler uses in the Town & country and Dodge Caravan. …

The 3.8-liter V6 is the standard engine in S and SE models. It makes 197 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque and it offers decent performance for daily commutes and most needs. This is a heavy vehicle weighing in at 4621 pounds. Passing requires some planning and a lot of room. The six-speed automatic transmission works well with the 3.8 liter V6. But with a 0-60 mph time of 10.2 seconds and EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/23 mpg city/highway, the 3.8-liter engine is not as competitive as some other V6s available today.

The 4.0-liter V6 in the SEL would probably be a better choice. It delivers 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, while getting better fuel mileage with EPA estimates of 17/25 mpg City/Highway and has a lower octane requirement. With a 0-60 time of 8.9 seconds, the 4.0-liter V6 is in the ballpark with the V6s offered by Nissan, Honda and Toyota. A properly equipped Routan is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds with either engine. The 4.0-liter will get the Routan moving quicker from a stop and with the six-speed automatic transmission should provide a better passing response than the 3.8 liter V6.

The Routan has a fairly tight turning radius and maneuvers nicely around town. For a big vehicle it has very good visibility and with the rear view camera, makes it easy to back out of tight parking spots in the city. Out on the open road, tire and wind noise are well controlled and don’t notice much engine noise unless you are under full throttle. The 3.8 liter V6 should be good for most peoples needs, but if you live in high country like I do, you might want to think about getting the more powerful 4.0 in the SEL.

Overall, the Routan offers a good driving experience for the kind of vehicle it is. It will get you from point A to point B in the time that you need to. I’m not sure if it reminds me of "European ride and handling characteristics", like Volkswagen says, but for such a large vehicle, the Routan cruises well on the open road, does fairly well on twisty roads, and handles most bumps and ruts without complaint.

2010 VW Routan SE Review: Summary-Day 7

From a mom’s stand point the 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE scored high and they were impressed with the available features and technology to make their life easier. From a dad’s standpoint, this minivan is not going to excite you. But moms are generally the ones who are hauling the kids and the dog around town taking them to the games and practices during the week. They are the ones wanting this type of vehicle and what it has to offer.

And it offers a lot. The first is the higher quality interior than its parent, the Chrysler Town & Country. It may not offer all the different seating arrangements that Chrysler offers, but it has all the options available to make it fun for the kids. All the entertainment features will definitely keep the kids' attention. The Routan SE offers dual screen DVD rear-seat entertainment systems. Video game systems can be plugged in, and each screen can show something different, including the front navigation screen. Also offered is VW's JoyBox hard-drive radio. It has a 30-gigabyte hard drive that will hold thousands of songs and picture files.
Moms like the underfloor storage areas that come with Stow 'n Go that keep the cabin free of clutter. The third-row seats fold into the floor, and the second-row seats can be removed to create a flat load floor that is big enough for 4' x 8' sheets of plywood. When the third-row seats are up, there is a handy well behind them that's great for groceries and sports equipment.

The Routan is offered with two engines, the Chrysler 3.8-liter V6 and the Chrysler 4.0-liter V6. The 3.8-liter V6 is adequate for around-town, and the 4.0-liter V6 offers better fuel mileage, decent pickup and passing power. It rides smoothly, and the driver enjoys a commanding view of the road. The Routan has some stiff competition from Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Nissan Quest in the area of performance. The one advantage the Routan has over the competition is Volkswagen's three-year, 36,000-mile free maintenance plan.

The Routan is priced about a thousand dollars more model for the model than the Chrysler Town & Country but has a much nicer interior than the Chrysler. Overall, the Routan has all the features to make moms life easier and is a great rolling living room that they will love. My three moms gave the Routan a thumbs up.

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).

Made in Canada: 2010 Volkswagen Routan

CanadianDriver

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

Review and photos by Grant Yoxon

Photo Gallery:
2010 Volkswagen Routan

It may be a well kept secret but there is a Volkswagen minivan and it is built right here in Canada. Along with the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country and the made-for-Europe Chrysler Grand Voyageur, Chrysler’s Windsor assembly plant also builds the Routan for Volkswagen.

If you didn’t know about the Volkswagen Routan it is no surprise. There aren’t that many on the road in Canada. …

It may be that Volkswagen doesn’t do much to promote the Routan and that’s a shame because among the minivan variations produced in Windsor, the Routan is arguably the best. But it’s meager sales total may also be due to its price, as among minivans, the Routan is a premium priced vehicle. …

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

Our test vehicle was a Routan Highline, the third in four trim levels available (Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and Execline). {They are designated and provisioned differently for the U.S. market.—DMW}… Standard features included 4.0-litre V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, power sliding side doors and rear tailgate, halogen headlights and foglights, power glass sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels, four 12-volt power outlets, six-speaker audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and auxiliary input jack, satellite radio, leather covered seating with heated front and second row seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and power-adjustable pedals.

Optional equipment included navigation package and rear view back-up camera ($2,425) and 17-inch alloy wheels ($700), for a total price excluding taxes and additional charges of $43,700. Compare this to our better-equipped, made in Canada 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Limited which came in at $41,220.

It is not difficult to see why Volkswagen is having a difficult time selling the Routan.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

But in its defence and despite being built in the same factory and having the same engine and transmission as the Grand Caravan and Town & Country, the Routan is, in my opinion, a better van. My rationale: better exterior design, better interior design, higher quality interior materials, more comfortable seating and better driving characteristics.

Only the roof and door panels of the Routan are the same as the Chrysler minivans. All other sheetmetal, headlights, taillights and exterior trim are unique to the Routan. It doesn’t look the same and unless you knew … you wouldn’t think it came from the same factory. And the paintwork, as demonstrated by our Nocturne Black Metallic Routan, is exemplary.

Expressing simply a personal point of view, I prefer the look of the Routan over the Chrysler vehicles.

Inside the Routan is a blend of Chrysler and Volkswagen, but mostly the latter. The general layout, including the dash mounted shifter, is Chrysler, as is the navigation system (albeit with VW logo) and surrounding function buttons, and the heating and air conditioning unit. As noted in our review of the Town & Country, one must reach across to the right side of the navigation screen to touch the phone button to accept an incoming call. With most other competitors, this function is mounted on the steering wheel.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

Nearly all the soft-touch materials – seat materials, carpets, door panels and even the steering wheel – have been designed specifically for the Routan. The Routan’s leather-wrapped steering wheel feels better in the hands than the Town & Country’s although both wheels have the same minimal functions, with nothing on the front of our Highline model’s wheel, but audio controls oddly hidden on the back of the wheel. It is a unique-to-Chrysler set up borrowed by Volkswagen.

Nothing more clearly differentiates the Routan from the Town & Country than the dash top. Whereas the dash top in the Town & Country is hard plastic, it is soft and padded in the Routan.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

Stow ‘n Go second row seating, seats that flip and fold into the floor, is standard in the Town & Country, but not offered in the Routan. Instead, the Routan has larger, more comfortable captain’s chairs. However, the Stow ‘n Go compartments in the floor remain for storage. It’s a trade-off – the convenience of easily stowed second row seats or more comfortable chairs. The third row seat is a manually folded, 60/40 split bench seat that stores in the luggage cavity. …

The Routan is powered by Chrysler’s 4.0-litre V6 engine. Producing 251 horsepower and 259 lb.-ft. of torque, this engine provides plenty of power for everyday driving needs. Despite being a minivan, it is not by any means slow and will accelerate easily for freeway merging or passing slower traffic. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway and 12.2 L/100 km in the city. With just 200 km on the odometer, our brand new Routan tester is averaging 13.5 L/100 km in city driving.

Perhaps it is my imagination or perhaps it is better sound insulation, but under hard acceleration, the engine in the Routan seemed quieter than that in the Town & Country. In fact, in all driving situations the Routan provided a quieter environment.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Highline. Click image to enlarge

It is also a better handling and more nimble minivan than its Chrysler brethren. The Routan has a slightly firmer ride which detracts little from the overall ride comfort, but adds greatly to cornering confidence. Driving both vans over the same freeway on-ramps, I felt more comfortable at higher speeds in the Routan. Steering is also more crisp and direct.

Safety features in all minivans built in Windsor, including the Routan, are the same, with three-point seat belts in all seven seating positions and side curtain airbags protecting all three rows of seats. Like the Grand Caravan and Town & Country, the Volkswagen Routan has a five-star safety rating for both frontal and side impacts from the US-based National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As well, anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control are standard equipment.

The Volkswagen Routan matches or exceeds other Chrysler-built minivans for interior quality and handling, …

Naturally, dealers will and often do sell for less than published prices and discounts, and a savvy shopper should go to the Volkswagen dealer armed with comparable data. But one has to wonder if Volkswagen’s published prices are keeping minivan shoppers out of their showrooms.

Grant Yoxon is an Ottawa-based automotive journalist and Managing Editor of CanadianDriver. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

Volkswagen Routan Diesel Rumors Abound

Rumors Blog

April 27th, 2010Rumors Articles No Comments

When Volkswagen needed to fill an important gap in their line up, the German automaker turned to Chrysler whose best selling line of minivans were just what the doctor ordered. …

…VW has a pair of sport/utility models in their line up, but no crossover model. Thus, the Routan minivan fills the gap whether it is a strong seller or not.

A Turbo Diesel Motor For VW?

But Volkswagen may need to expand the Routan to include a diesel engine option if it is to become a relevant player in the market. Volkswagen is currently in the middle of a quest to offer diesel technology as an option across all of its many model lines, thus leaving the Routan out would do the model some disservice.

Because the Routan is built by Chrysler, Volkswagen would perhaps extend this option to Chrysler to include these engines in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Gran Caravan. That move would serve to share costs of selling diesel technology across the entire platform as well as make other modifications necessary to ensure that the minivans could handle a V6 diesel engine. Some have said that the current transmission pairing wouldn’t be appropriate as that gearbox wouldn’t be able to handle the added torque. Thus a modified transmission would need to be developed, an additional cost that consumers may not be willing to bear.

The Future of the Minivan

Chrysler has been widely credited with developing the modern day minivan, a segment it long dominated. The two Chrysler Group LLC models outsell the competition, …

Having recently exited bankruptcy and fallen under the control of the Fiat Group, Chrysler’s long term product plans aren’t quite clear yet. However, with their minivans still playing an important role in the market, Chrysler’s long term commitment to this line seems assured. With that in mind, Volkswagen will probably remain a willing partner, perhaps choosing to add a diesel offering at some point down the line.

ajjewellfuneralinfo

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]

Another Favorable Review

The folks at The Car Connection reviewed the 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The review discusses the pros and cons. A purchaser needs to make an informed choice. In my case, the styling, interior, fuel economy, amenities, and excellent financing terms led me to buy a 2009 Routan SEL in August, 2009. I was thrilled with the transaction, and I haven't been disappointed by the minivan (grossraumlimousine) or the dealer.

The reviewers make an accurate statement when they say that it has the high points of the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan with noticeable improvements from Volkswagen. If you want a Honda or a Toyota, and are willing to pay the premium price for it, and willing to pass up manufacturer's incentives, then the Volkswagen Routan will not satisfy you. But if you are willing to consider a Chrysler or Dodge, which are good vehicles in their own right, then you are likely to find that the Volkswagen Routan is a better value.

I have the upgraded 4.0L engine. Most reviews comment about the roughness/ coarseness/ inadequacy of the 3.8L engine. I haven't experienced the 3.8L drivetrain. I will tell you that the 4.0L has plenty of power and runs smoothly enough that you may occasionally try to start a running engine (the electronic starting circuit doesn't engage if the engine is running).

By the way, Volkswagen includes an umbrella tray. It's been very handy during this rainy winter. The umbrella tray, the cupholder lighting, and the VW cut out of the headlight shield are all attentions to detail that make you feel like you got something better.

To those who feel the Routan is not a real Volkswagen and that VW should import the Sharan: Volkswagen very well may bring the Sharan to our shores (but not until 2012 or later), but in the meantime I get 4 years of driving a minivan that feels like a Volkswagen.

2010 Volkswagen Routan: Loading Zone - Family Car Guide

Family Car Guide
By cliff leppke January 23rd, 2010

Side Exterior View - 2010 Volkswagen Routan 4-door Wagon SE
Enlarge Photo
A … VW-branded Mopar-built minivan called the Routan. It has unique body panels, a retuned suspension and a Euro-style dash pad. Otherwise, its similar to Chrysler's Town & Country.
Its strong suit: cargo hauling. It easily ingests bulky items. Unlike Chrysler's vans, Routans don't have the mid-row, Stow 'n Go seating. That's a bonus; the wider chairs, which cannot tuck under the floor, are more comfortable. You remove them or fold them. The latter exposes sharp under-seat hardware.
The third-row, split bench is motorized. It acrobatically moves fore-and-aft, folds into a floor well or back flips creating a tailgater's lounge. Other trick features include swiveling overhead LED spotlights, motorized sliding side doors and self-lifting rear lid. There are two glove boxes. The navigation system requires an intensive training session; resetting home is difficult. In contrast, there's a simple voice-prompt demo. The rear-view camera's image is atmospheric Stieglitz--soft and grainy.
Aesthetically, the interior has European shapes and materials but fabric tufts look untidy and doors aren't ergonomically sculpted. Instrument faces slant making daytime reflections problematic. Plastic-covered, seat-mounted armrests rattled. Watch your feet. Due to insufficient space, toes are pinched between the dashboard's lower edge and the brake pedal. A sharp metal bracket adjacent to the throttle pedal threatens. The sliding front console jams.
Ride quality seems resilient but expansion joints produce kicks. It sounds hushed but wind rush, suspension clunks and the groaning engine are noticeable.
Handling is a sore spot. If the Routan's suspension is Euro-tuned, it's intended for an Autobahn rest area. Steering is slow, inert. Get frisky and the Bridgestone tires scream. Stability program kicks in early. In addition, the brakes feel overwhelmed.
There are two engine options. This one's 251-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic transmission, gets better mpg than the base 3.8-liter. While the engine and tranny collaborate, it frequently downshifts from sixth to fifth. EPA figures: 17 mpg city; 25 highway. I observed 18 mpg; mid-grade fuel recommended.
A Routan SEL's base price is nearly $37,000, as equipped it's $42,000. Expect discounts.
Get an in-depth review at TheCarConnection's 2010 Volkswagen Routan page

Volkswagen Routan Review

TireKicker Blog Michael Hagerty, Founder/Editor

By now, the word is out to the extent that there are Amish who know that the Volkswagen Routan is a re-badged Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
So was Brooke Shields lying to us about that "German engineering" stuff?
Not really.
See, VW did go in and re-work the suspension...so technically, it's German engineering.
And while it's not engineering per se, we'll give thumbs up to the VW crew who gave it a more attractive front and rear styling treatment.

They also ripped out a ton of cheap interior materials and put in the good...well, decent...stuff for the Routan.

So, from a handling, appearance and interior quality (or at least "niceness") standpoint, you really have to say that the VW Routan is what Chrysler should have built in the first place.
I drove the mid-pack SE model with Trim Pack 2 (sunroof, adjustable pedals, roof rails and an auto-adjustable rear suspension. It also had heatable front seats and a remote starter.
Bottom line: $32,720. Much better than the over-optioned Dodge Grand Caravan that started with a base price 2 grand cheaper than the Routan but ended up at 41 grand and change.
The EPA says it's good for 16 miles per gallon in the city, 23 on the highway (the 6-speed automatic helps).
And it's five stars on all the crash tests (four on rollover).
So, if you want a Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country, the best one might be a VW Routan.
That's fine, but I'd prefer for Dodge and Chrysler to build them right themselves and for VW to build...VWs. Like the VW Microbus concept they teased us with at the beginning of the decade.
If you agree, let VW know. Given that only 5,000 or so Routans have found homes so far this year, they're probably considering options.

UPDATE: With both GM and Ford out of the minivan business and the asian minivans fairly long in the tooth, I thought it was time for another taste of the Routan.
Everything above still stands...and until Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia show up with their new ones (2011 and later), the VW Routan (equipped as above) would be my choice, playing with my own money.

Automotive News-MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

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.

You can find a lot of Volkswagen in the Routan

I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 Jetta as a loaner for a few days this week, and it struck me how many different things Volkswagen carried over. There are mostly small things, but they convey the "look and feel" of VW.

The first thing I noticed was the passing signal. Usually, you can operate the turn signal stalk to the detent, and the turn signal will flash. It stops signalling when you let go rather than waiting for the steering wheel to turn far enough to cancel it. In Volkswagens, you move the stalk to the detent and let go--the signal flashes 3 times. The Routan has that feature.

Volkswagen uses a ceiling console mounted red light to illuminate the front seat cupholders. The Routan has that as well.

The Jetta had a 6-speed automatic transmission. During mild acceleration, it shifted in a progressive pattern--each gear holding to a little higher RPM than the previous gear before shifting. Semi-tractor drivers often use this shifting pattern because it efficiently runs through the gears and saves fuel. The Routan does that as well. I know this is something Volkswagen can control on the Routan because its transmission is programmable. You can have the programming changed on the Routan if you need to. I believe VW spec'ed the Routan to have this shifting experience.

As a side note, a Canadian paper article talked about the construction of the Routan at Chrysler's Windsor plant. The article stated that Routans are final inspected by Volkswagen employees. I believe this is to ensure quality commensurate with the Volkswagen name.

The more I drive my Routan the more it reflects a bumper sticker I saw once talking about Christians--"not perfect, just forgiven."