First introduced to inquiring minds at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the seven-passenger Volkswagen Routan minivan created quite a buzz, albeit a mixed one.
The German automaker's history of van-tastic transport here in the U.S. is quite storied. The micro bus (known affectionately by several other names including the Transporter) was a symbol of the counter culture through the 1960s and 1970s. While Chrysler Corp. takes credit for debuting a family-friendly, affordable, front-wheel-drive minivan in 1983 (also at the Chicago Auto Show), many "families" (and we use the term loosely) found the merits of the micro bus quite accommodating.
When VW announced its return to the U.S. market with a family van starting in the 2009 model year, initial speculation was a European-styled bold design could be on the horizon. After all during the 2001 auto show circuit, VW showcased a short-snouted Microbus concept vehicle sparking speculation about an enterprising new design when the production model arrived. What happened instead was, Germany's VW struck a deal with Chrysler LLC to launch a near clone of the Chrysler Town and Country minivan. With this arrangement, Chrysler is able to keep its two North American plants building minivans (Ontario, Canada and St. Louis, Mo.) working full tilt (with extra capacity being badged as Routan), while providing VW with a ready-made entry into the US minivan market. A joint venture saves VW countless dollars in start up costs. Considering the sudden downsizing of the automotive landscape of late, the move looks prudent.
But is prudence enough to satisfy John Q. Public?
If you're jumping head first into an automotive joint venture, a good place to start is at the top. Town and Country minivans (and its Dodge Grand Caravan twin) are by far the most popular front-wheel-drive minivans in the United States.
Save for a VW front grille, five-spoke VW branded wheel covers and wider tail lights, the front-wheel-drive Routan borrows extensive exterior cues from the Chrysler Town and Country minivan, redesigned extensively in the 2008 model year. It's an attractive, pleasing design.
Under its hood, Routan comes standard with a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission connected to a 3.8-liter, V-6 powerplant delivering 197 horses (along with fuel economy of 16 city 23 highway in two trims. For those looking for more oomph, a 4.0-liter V-6 promising 253 horses (17 mpg city 25 mpg highway) is available in the top trim level. Both engines also power the Chrysler minivan products.
Three Routan trims are offered, S (starting price of $24,700), SE (starting price of $29,600 and top-line SEL with the more potent 4.0-liter V-6 (checking in at $33,200). All three trims come with dual sliding rear side doors. Manually sliding doors come standard in "S" while power sliding variants are a staple in SE and SEL trims. A power rear lift gate is standard only in the top-level SEL as is an in-dash touch-screen navigation system. Routan comes in one 'extended' length (202.5 inches) providing amble storage in a recessed region when the third row seat is prone. An optional entertainment system, with second and third-row fold down ceiling screens, is optional in all models.
Volkswagen supplied a mid-grade SE model for testing. The only options were a sunroof package ($1,985) and heated front seats ($445). The bottom line, after factoring in a $690 destination charge, added up to $32,720. Routan's pricing is in line with that of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan; tilting more towards the pricier end of the V-6 minivan cost spectrum. Be aware....a fully loaded SEL with option packages approaches $40,000.
Since General Motors and Ford Motor Co. dropped out of the minivan business altogether, the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona are the rival family vans doing battle against Routan and its Chrysler counterparts.
When Chrysler's Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivan were redesigned for the 2008 model year, special attention was made to ensure the best-selling U.S. minivan stayed that way. Can't leave the driveway without cup holders? No problem, Routan has more than twice as many cup holders than seating positions. Mom or Dad can check what's going on in back thanks to a beveled mirror that folds down from the ceiling caddy near the rear view mirror. Secondary audio and station pre-set buttons are smartly located behind the steering wheel (not the front as with most other vans) where finger tips do the work when changing volume or stations.
The two-tone interior has a modern design, but one can't overlook the plastic texture. At the far right of the dashboard, dual glove boxes await filling; one in the usual lower position and one above the dashboard equator. Routan also has scores of small areas to stow "stuff," including a floor caddy between the front captain's chairs. The automatic transmission shifter is found on the upper dashboard, to the right of the instrument panel.
Power sliding rear doors in SE and SEL models can be opened via the key fob, small interior buttons on the lower inside "B" pillar and via ceiling caddy power buttons. Also, the power doors move automatically with a gentle tug from the outside handles. Sliding rear doors feature conventional power windows. For years, second row minivan passengers had to be content with static windows that at best pushed out to vent when flowing air was needed.
The seven-seat Routan features two captain chairs in row two, and a three-passenger third row bench. Routan boasts the same convenient under-floor storage region between the first and second rows as its Chrysler twins. However, Stow 'n Go seating (available in the Chrysler products), where seats contort and stash below the floor, is not available. While Stow 'n Go opens up cavernous storage room, the cushioning on these seats is thin and desirable to those whose bottoms could care less (read... pre-teeners). Routan's thick, plush and lush cushioning is the click to pick for those enrolled in high school and beyond. Plus Routan's second row seats recline for extra comfort. Besides, if cavernous storage room is needed, second-row captain's chairs can be manually unlatched and removed from the vehicle, although it's a pain (a good assignment for those bored teenagers).
The power front captain's chair (SE and SEL models) slides back and forth as well as up and down to accommodate many sizes of drivers and preferred height levels...a great touch. When not in use, the flexible 70/30 split third row easily folds flat into a recessed floor region with the help of easy-to-pull straps. With the cargo door open, it's a snap to fold the seat into the floor using straps labeled "1" and "2;" very family friendly. For those "strap-sensitive" shoppers, the top-line SEL has an optional power folding third-row seat. Even better, leave the rear hatch open because the seat flips outward when tail gating season arrives. With the hatch open, those 6-feet two inches or shorter still have enough clearance so as not to knock their own noggin against the door. Leather seating is standard in SEL and optional in SE. Cloth seating adorns S and SE. |