2009 Volkswagen Routan Review

2009 Volkswagen Routan - VW minivan.

By: Dan Jedlicka

At first glance, the new Volkswagen Routan seven-passenger minivan doesn't seem to make much sense because it's basically a modified Chrysler Corp. Town & Country and near-identical Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.

But wait. Volkswagen hasn't sold a minivan here since its 2003 Eurovan and wants to substantially increase sales in America in various product categories.

Never mind that Volkswagen sold the first minivan in America in (can you believe?) 1950. The Routan allowed a much lower development cost and faster time to market than if Volkswagen had developed a minivan from scratch.

Moreover, a partnership with Porsche brought Volkswagen its Touareg SUV, which shares a basic design with Porsche's Cayenne SUV. In the 1970s, Porsche and Volkswagen joined to build a nearly identical, popular sports car, sold as the Porsche 914 in America.

And, while Chrysler Corp. builds an excellent minivan, strategic German engineering by Volkswagen promised to enhance that U.S. automaker's minivan, which it does.

However, Chrysler Corp. didn't let Volkswagen use its minivans' rotating seats and small removable table, which disappears under the floor.

The Routan and Town & Country/Grand Caravan look decidedly different. The Volkswagen model has unique bodywork from the windshield posts forward with such things as a stylized front grille. Bodywork also is different from the rear roof pillars back. It looks sleeker than the Chrysler Corp. minivans--although there's no escaping the fact that this is a minivan and thus has a generally boxy look.

The Routan's interior also is more upscale than those in Chrysler Corp.'s minivans. There's a new dashboard, new door panels and Volkswagen's higher-quality materials, beautiful textures and rich colors. There also are new, highly supportive seats. Fit and finish are superb.

German vehicles are expected to have superior handling, and the front-wheel-drive Routan doesn't disappoint. It has stiffer springs and dampers and a quicker steering ratio. The result is improved steering feel, body control and high-speed stability.

I occasionally got the impression that the Routan that I tested felt like a solid German sedan, although not necessarily a sports sedan--that would be too much to ask of this long, tall vehicle. Indeed, slight body sway occurred during quick expressway lane changes at 65 mph.

The variable-assist steering was quick and precise. The ride was firm but supple, and the brake pedal had a linear action.

Thankfully, the underpowered 3.3-liter, 175-horsepower V-6 found in the Town & Country and Grand Caravan isn't offered. Rather, the base Routan engine is a Chrysler 3.8-liter V-6 with 197 horsepower.and 230 pound-feet of torque. It's in the base S and mid-level SE trim levels and takes the 4,507-4,621-pound Routan from 0-60 mph in a respectable 10.2 seconds.

A 4-liter, 253-horsepower V-6 with 262 pound-feet of torque also is available, but only in the top-line SEL trim level. This V-6 moves the Routan to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and loafs at 2,200 rpm at 70 mph.

Too bad the larger V-6 isn't at least optional for the other two Routan trim levels. Minivans are built to haul various loads, and the extra power and torque could come in handy. However, a Routan with the larger engine would raise prices.

Both engines work with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission with an effective manual-shift mode.

It's easy to slide in and out and occupants sit high. There's plenty of room in the first two seating rows, but the room in the easily reached third-row seat is somewhat tight. The 13 cupholders are all over the place, and front doors have storage pockets and bottle holders.

The cargo area has a low, wide opening, and cargo room is impressive with the folding third-row seat out of the way.

The base Routan S costs $25,200-$27,700, while list prices for the mid-level SE are $29,700-$32,700. The SEL goes from $33,800 to $38,500.

Estimated fuel economy for the 3.3-liter V-6 is 16 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. The more potent 4-liter V-6 actually delivers better estimated economy, at 17 city and 25 highway.

The higher-line engine is more sophisticated and thus more efficient. It has such items as single overhead camshafts and 24 valves, compared with pushrods and 12 valves for the old-style 3.8-liter V-6.

Towing capacity with both engines is 2,000 pounds, or 3,500 pounds with a $600 towing package that contains a load-leveling suspension.

No matter what engine, the Routan is well-equipped. Even the base S version has such standard items as air conditioning, tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped wheel, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, a folding third-row folding split bench seat, cruise control, heated power mirrors and power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry.

Safety items include side curtain side air bags, anti-skid system, traction control and antilock all-disc brakes with a brake assist feature for surer panic stops.

The SE adds tri-zone manual climate controls, power driver's seat, power sliding rear doors, upscale sound system and larger 17-inch alloy (vs. 16-inch steel) wheels.

Graduate to the SEL and you get the 4-liter V-6 and leather upholstery for first- and second-row seats, heated front- and second-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls) and power-adjustable pedals.

The top-line SEL Premium version adds a power sunroof, remote start, power hatch, premium 9-speaker sound system and power-folding third row seat.

All models are available with an optional Rear Seat Entertainment Package (RSE) containing a DVD entertainment system with two 9-inch screens and wireless headphones for second- and third-row passengers, besides a rearview camera. Other extras include a navigation package, power sunroof, heated front seats and leather upholstery.

The Routan is for those who want a German nameplate and a more involving driving experience than provided by Chrysler Corp. minivans.

Visit DanJedlicka.com where veteran auto writer Dan Jedlicka reviews the latest cars and trucks in an easily understood but detailed manner. In addition, Dan's Web site also includes colorful classic and collectible car articles, a letters column and candid interviews with auto-field personalities.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

For more reviews from Dan, visit Facebook.

2009 Volkswagen Routan Review

2009 Volkswagen Routan - VW minivan.

Dan Jedlicka

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