2001 Volkswagen EuroVan Review

VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN

Prices
$26,200-$27,700
Likes
Prices slashed. Huge interior. More power. Relaxed cruiser. Colorful history.
Dislikes
Fuel thirsty. Bouncy ride. No left-side sliding door.

The Volkswagen EuroVan is a radical departure from the 1960s Volkswagen van, which has become a cultural icon because it was loved by that decade's hippies and flower children. It was cheap and durable--and emphasized unconventionality and freedom. Volkswagen began selling vans here in 1950, although few were sent before 1954. The first model was called the Transporter, and there was nothing like it because other vans were commercial vehicles.

In fact, the Transporter was the very first minivan--introduced 33 years before the first Chrysler minivan. It variously was called the Transporter, Station Wagon, Kombi, Micro Bus and Vanagon. Like the 1960s model, the Transporter used Volkswagen Beetle parts, including a rear-mounted air-cooled engine and four-speed manual transmission. The early 1950s version had bright two-tone colors and carried up to nine people in its brick-shaped body.
But its 30-horsepower engine provided snail-like acceleration, and Volkswagen gave the van a dashboard sticker that read, "The allowable top speed of this vehicle is 50 miles per hour." Still, buyers loved its roominess and durability.

Mechanix Illustrated's colorful auto writer Tom McCahill tested a 1955 model, and said, "It's as versatile as a steamship con man and twice as useful." The 1960s version was improved, getting 57 horsepower by 1968. But the top speed was only 65 mph and it took about 37 seconds to hit 60 mph. Older buyers didn't care, and the flower children didn't seem to be in a hurry to reach destinations, unless they were headed for San Francisco. The fourth-generation van debuted for 1993 as the EuroVan. Longer and heavier than its Vanagon predecessor, it was the first VW van with the engine up front. As always, it was very roomy.

But it remained slow with only a 109-horsepower five-cylinder engine and disappeared for several years because of disappointing sales. A 140-horsepower V-6 was added for 1999 when the EuroVan was revised, and the 2001 model seems like almost a hot rod with a new 201-horsepower V-6. There also are a new electronic stability control system, larger (16-inch) wheels, single seats for second-row seating, new premium stereo and integrated fog lamps. Importantly, prices of the two solidly built EuroVan models have been dramatically slashed by $5,100. The regular GLS model now lists at $26,200 and the recreation-oriented Multivan (MV) version costs $27,700.

Both are well-equipped, although a power sunroof costs $1,000 and heated front seats are $400. The MV can be had with a $3,235 Weekender Package that contains a pop-up roof with two-person bed; window screens for two side sliding windows, fixed driver-side rear facing seat (with a refrigerator beneath a lift-up seat bottom); auxiliary battery and heavy duty alternator. Occupants sit high, but extra effort is needed to climb in because the EuroVan stands 76.4 inches tall. A driver has no convenient spot to rest his left foot, and radio and climate controls are too small. Also, the rotary front seatback adjustors are awkward to use. The interior is generally quiet, although there is noticeable wind noise above 55 mph.

The EuroVan is a seven-passenger vehicle, with various seating arrangements. The GLS has two forward-facing second-row seats, while the MV has two rear-facing second-row seats positioned back-to-back with the supportive front bucket seats. The MV also has a folding table, side window curtains and a rear bench seat that converts to a removable bed. There's plenty of room for stuff in the high cargo area, but most will need to use the convenient pull-down strap to close the big, heavy hatch.

Despite the extra power, the heavy EuroVan is no fireball, taking 11 seconds to reach 60 mph if you keep the throttle pinned to the floor. There's a brief, bothersome acceleration lag when moving out fast, but the four-speed automatic transmission shifts crisply. The 65-75 mph passing time is good and the EuroVan easily cruises at 75 mph.

Just be prepared for high fuel bills because the EuroVan only gets an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway. Steering is decent, and handling is good--considering the EuroVan's height. But the ride gets bouncy at times and the brake pedal is soft, although stopping distances are good. It's fairly easy to maneuver the EuroVan, which has conveniently large outside rearview mirrors. If you're looking for a different van, this might well be your vehicle. Especially if you're a 50ish hippie or flower child.