As I was test-driving the 2010 Volkswagen Routan I couldn't help but think I'd driven this minivan before, and I had. The Routan is Volkswagen's version of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.
I was hoping for some extreme styling that would set this minivan apart from its Chrysler sisters. With the Routan, it's mostly the badges that make it a VW; otherwise, it's pretty standard minivan fare. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The Routan got me where I needed to go with no hassles, no arguing from the kids, and, of course, no door dings.
The Routan isn't going to win any races, but its V-6 engine had enough power for merging onto the highway. VW says the Routan has a "Euro-tuned suspension," which is supposed to feel sportier than its American minivan counterparts. I don't know if I'd go as far to call it sporty, but it did handle curves well.
That brings me to the meat of it. The Routan starts at $25,900, and my test minivan, an SE, cost $34,300. My test car had a navigation system, a rear entertainment system, power doors and liftgate; and a backup camera. That's quite a bit of vehicle. The leatherette seating surface, heated front seats and a variety of options price this vehicle a bit higher than the Grand Caravan and Town & Country.
EXTERIOR
The Routan's front end definitely looks like a Volkswagen. It has a sloping grille, and the Routan's headlights look more aggressive than the Town & Country's. This gives it a contemporary look. Many of my neighbors and friends commented that it looked sporty.
The Routan offers lots of utility. My test car had power-sliding doors, which were a hit with the kids and made it easy for them to get in and out of the minivan. I appreciated the keyfob, which enabled me to open either side's power-sliding door as well as the power liftgate. These features are a must on a minivan, and the Routan didn't let me down.
The available power liftgate is always appreciated when you have an armful of shopping bags. The deep well behind the third row makes it possible to load up this minivan with people and their stuff, which is a phenomenon that's rarely possible in three-row crossovers.
The Routan SE has a 197-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine that has enough power to move it alone. If you want more power under the hood, a 251-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 is available. The smaller V-6 gets an EPA-estimated 16/23 mpg city/highway and runs on regular gas.
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Excellent
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times (for the kids)
INTERIOR
The interior is the epitome of dual citizenship. The boxy theme of the Chrysler brands has been toned down but not eliminated; however, a couple of items remind me I'm driving a vehicle with a different accent. It's hard to miss the VW badge on the steering wheel, and the sharp-looking steering wheel is definitely from the German automaker. The center stack and instrument cluster are easy to read and clearly part of Volkswagen genes.
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