VW ROUTAN vs DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

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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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Volkswagen Routan – Totally Family Friendly

The Routan is perfect for the kids and even for those who are still kids at heart

PasadenaNow.com
By CANDICE MERRILL with VANESSA TABORA
Published: Friday, January 14, 2011 | 12:30 PM

If you want an minivan that has a great combination of features, then it’s the 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE  you’re looking for. It has an interior look similar to that of the Chrysler Town & Country with an exterior that is truly Volkswagen.  Upon first impression it offers an amazing commanding view of the road.
The Routan is perfect for the kids and even for those who are still kids at heart. This is because of its rear seat entertainment with DVD screens offered in the second and third rows of the SUV. You can plug in any video game system and it even has a JoyBox hard drive radio feature that is unique to Volkswagen. It carries a capacity of 30 gigabytes which can store thousands of music and image files.
With its third-row stowing seats this minivan has plenty of room to move stuff. The second row seats are also removable if you need to move a whole lot of stuff. It also has plenty of hidden compartments to stow expensive stuff!

This Routan delivers nothing less than the smoothest of rides possible. It handles the bumps well without making the passengers feel a single jolt. The wide turning radius could be a problem in tight quarters, but on the open road the Routan maneuvers adequately.
A nice addition to the SE are the power-sliding rear doors which can be activated by the key fob or interior of the  minivan.  It seems a bit indulgent but when you need to load groceries in the driving rain you’ll appreciate them.
With a V6, 4.0-liter engine you can expect to reach 60 mph in about 8 seconds. The mileage isn’t bad either for a minivan of it’s size: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
If you want a vehicle that will cruise quietly without all the noise that tires and wind can make, the 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE is worth a look-see. This minivan is totally family friendly and has higher quality interiors than its competition. Its price can be compared to the top of line vehicles in the market today and you can enjoy the 3-year, 36,000 mile free maintenance from Volkswagen.

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Volkswagen Routan Back for 2011

Family Car Guide Blog
By Marty Padgett Editorial Director January 21st, 2011

2009 Volkswagen Routan
Defying some predictions from the rumor mill, the Volkswagen Routan minivan is coming back for the 2011 model year.
Since it shares running gear with the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, the 2011 Routan gets similar updates, starting with the upgraded powertrain. This year, the offering is a 3.8-liter Pentastar V-6, teamed up with a six-speed automatic. The Routan's 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque are delivered to the front wheels.
The usual front, side and curtain airbags are fitted, with anti-lock brakes and stability control.
The Routan's been praised as a higher-quality version of the Chrysler minivans, but with the improvements to those vans, we're eager to see photos of the Routan. (The 2009 model is pictured here.) VW promises they're coming soon--but in the meantime, pricing has also been revealed:
Routan S: $26,930
Standard features include manual sliding side doors, cruise control, ambient lighting, AM/FM/CD with auxiliary audio jack, power windows/locks/mirrors, and cloth seats. In this edition, the second and third-row seats fold, and the second row captain's chairs are removable. Again this year, the Routan omits Chrysler's Stow 'N Go fold-away seating system, but the storage tubs that would contain seats in the Chryslers are fitted to the Routan's floor.
Routan SE: $31,770
Adds power sliding side doors, a power driver seat, heated mirrors, 17-inch wheels, power-adjustable pedals, a CD changer and Bluetooth, front heated seats, and vinyl upholstery.
Routan SE w/ RSE: $33,790
Adds on a rearview camera, a touchscreen-driven audio system with satellite radio, hard-drive storage and a USB port. The RSE stands for "rear-seat entertainment"--which means twin LCD screens and a back-seat DVD entertainment system with gaming ports.
Routan SE w/RSE and Nav: $34,750
Incorporates a navigation system.
Routan SEL: $37,390
Tops off other editions with a standard sunroof, automatic climate control, navigation system, satellite radio, USB port and real-time traffic. There's no DVD system, but leather upholstery applies to the first two rows of seats, and the rear end gets a load-leveling suspension.
Routan SEL w/RSE: $39,390
Adds back in the DVD entertainment system.
Routan SEL Premium: $43,240
Comes with a premium sound system, a 115-volt power outlet, memory for the power-adjustable pedals, and dual front power seats

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December 2020 YTD Sales Figures

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today reported that December 2010 marked a 17 percent increase over prior year sales for the entire line of vehicles. In addition, 2010 achieved a 20 percent increase over 2009 total year sales. Increased sales numbers resulted in best annual sales since 2003 and best December sales since 2005.


With the growing popularity of Volkswagen's SUV models, the Tiguan achieved its best month ever, selling 2,551 vehicles, a 42 percent increase from the same month last year. Bolstered by the all-new model, the Volkswagen Touareg ended the year positively with a 68 percent increase compared to 2009. Other top selling vehicles included the Jetta with a 34 percent increase, Golf with a 72 percent increase and Routan with a 50 percent increase compared to December 2009.

PRNewswire published the December and YTD sales figures of the auto-makers who sell in the U.S. From these reports, we glean the following data:

Brand YTD -  12/10


Chrysler   112,275

Dodge      103,323

Honda      108,182

Kia         21,823

Mazda       15,683

Nissan         177 (discontinued)


Toyota      98,337

Volkswagen  15,961



Total      475,761
Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.35%, in the target range declared when the Routan was introduced.

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CHRYSLER

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Toralt on Cars

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe next generation of Chrysler minivan is not due until 2014, but the strength of its two current offerings raises the question of whether the automaker should maintain both nameplates. "We are still studying whether we need two minivans in the future", said Ralph Gilles, head of design and of the Dodge brand. … Gilles said his team worked hard to better differentiate the two minivans for 2011. "We split the range by how they look, equipment and content", he said. "The two minivans have a very different mission". …

Image via WikipediaEarly next year, Dodge will add its "man van", an R/T performance version with a macho black interior, including the headliner, and red stitching. "It’s an itch I’ve wanted to scratch for a long time", Gilles said. The minivans also have been divided up by price: The Town & Country, with greater content, competes at $30,000 and up and the Dodge at $30,000 and below. The effect on their respective sales will be closely monitored before a decision is made. "This year is the moment of truth for both brands", Gilles said. The latest minivans also took pointers from the Volkswagen Routan, which shares underpinnings and engines with the Chrysler models and is built in the same plant. Critics have said the Routan has a nicer interior and more dynamic handling. "I asked my guys why our suspension was not tuned the same way", Gilles said, and then told them "make ours better". For 2011, Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go seating has been improved with softer seats and the Swivel ‘n’ Go feature has been discontinued. Buyers can also opt for luxury quad seating in the second row, similar to the Routan’s layout. "The Town & Country is a comeback story", said Francois. And deserved, said Charlie Vogelheim, analyst with IntelliChoice. "Chrysler is not winning the sales race because it was first to market, but for continuing to improve the product", Vogelheim said. "They haven’t been resting on their laurels and are back on the shopping list of the public". …

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Magical Moments (Part 1)

Completely Bananas

So much has happened since my last blog, 2 weeks ago. Currently we are enduring blizzard conditions that decided to strike Asheville on Christmas day...This blog will focus on a much happier subject, namely the best week of my life thus far.
On Friday December 17th at 4:45am, we loaded two toddlers, half of our house and a ton of Image via Wikipediasnacks into the Vdub van and set our GPS for Lake Buena Vista, Florida- the home of the most magical place on earth, Disney World. After making only ONE stop for gas at the Florida Welcome Center we pulled into our condo 10 hours, 15 minutes and 6 Disney movies later. The trip, all things considered, really wasn't too bad. Ah, the luxuries of two DVD players, a minivan and my own private row in the back where no one can see me. The Volkswagon Routan makes certain that parents and kids get to travel in complete comfort, even for 10 hours and 15 minutes.

Our 2009 VW Routan Review

 The Sayo Family Blog

Posted by darwin on December 28, 2010
I really like it.  …
The Drive
It’s smooth. It goes from one gear to another very smoothly. It doesn’t roar to life and accelerate in an explosive way like our old Xterra but that’s not why we bought it for. I keep seeing reviews putting down it’s 197 hp but if you want more horsepower and performance buy a car! I recently took it to San Francisco for the first time and it performed quite well. I didn’t once in frustration say “Come on go!” going up Van Ness. There’s a “manual” mode to where you can shift up or down.  It gets a little getting used to but handy.  It’s supposedly VW tuned so the drive is a little more responsive.
Driver

• I feel very comfortable in the drivers seat. The windshield seems so huge.
• It took a couple days to get the seat just right because there is so much play in the seat settings.
• The steering wheel seems so much bigger. I do like the leather wrapped steering wheel on this van as opposed to a non leather wrapped one. It feels very nice and smooth. I never thought I’d ever appreciate such a thing.
• All the controls are in arms reach. … The Routan has [auto] up and down on the drivers and passenger side windows.
• On the other side of the steering wheel are controls for the radio. I like this so much better because it doesn’t make you look for the buttons thus taking your eyes off the road. The Stereo is a bit far away so the buttons are very handy.
• The stereo is not bluetooth enabled, a feature I told myself I absolutely needed, so I can’t connect my phone to it … [Bluetooth was standard on some models in 2009, and is standard on all models in 2010.—DMW]

Passengers

• Seats six passegers or three cars seats.  Can only take one car seat in the third row with room for a passenger next to the car seat.  So if you have four kids that need to be in car seats this car is not for you.
• I like that the passenger windows go down and the rear windows will slightly wedge open too for more ventilation.
• Cabin noise is so much better than our Xterra.  That’s also due to the fact that it has less horsepower.

Conclusion
I’m not a great car reviewer but I really do like this van.  The two things I would change if I could would have been adding the OEM entertainment system and an automatic lift gate.

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