By Michael Martineck
October 1, 2008 -
A large percentage of TTAC readers arrive here via a Google search of a specific vehicle. They know nothing of– nor care much about– our “take no prisoners” editorials or Inside Baseball auto industry analysis. So, in their honor, let’s start with THE key fact: the VW Routan is a rebadged Chrysler minivan. Rebadged as in mildly reworked. So why buy a VW Routan instead of a Chrysler product? For the same reason you’d buy a Chrysler minivan over a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna: no reason at all, really. But there’s more to it than that. At least in theory…
Externally, the Routan’s metalworkers have done what they could to differentiate their “German engineered” product from its American/Canadian cousins (i.e. nothing much). If the Dodge Caravan is a lunchbox, and The Town and Country a Chrysler 300 sedan inflated by 500 percent, the Routan is an inflated lunchbox with a VW nose. That said, the Routan’s schnoz demonstrates the importance of a vehicle’s “face;” VW’s plunging trapezoid re-brands the box, transforming it into a significantly more coherent vehicle. Whether or not the resulting VW-ness appeals depends on how many hours/dollars you’ve spent at a VW dealership.
The aesthetic improvements continue inside… somewhat. VW recast the Chyrsler product’s cheap ass dash in a faux painted metal. For those who remember the original Microbus, it’s a constant reminder of the innovative, iconoclastic vehicle that the Routan is not. There’s no disguising the Routan’s modern roots: a non-Germanic vehicle made for people comfortable living inside a box. If you can’t see the problem, blinded as you are by the steering wheel’s big-ass logo, you can feel it. The switchgear and cabinetry respond with Chrysler-esque imprecision.
Also lacking: Chrysler’s oh-so clever Stow-n-Go seating. Jumbo cargo schleppers will have to remove the Routan’s mid seats and leave them somewhere. On the flip side (get it?), the Routan’s second row seats are considerably more comfortable than Chrysler’s origami ones. If you’re going to be carting more humans than old armoires, the Routan is the way to go.
Our test van had a power tailgate, which is helpful. You can lift things out, hit the gate with your elbow and walk away. The power-folding rear seat is jewelry: a nice touch that serves no practical function. Minivanistas will know that reconfiguring seats means crawling around in the back moving CD collections, abandoned sippy cups, Tonka trucks and such before you can start the folding. After that, who cares if seat accordionage is just a button away?
They’ve Veedubbed the Dodge, but it’s still a Dodge. For example, the spare tire. You must lower it to ground from a knob on the floor near the driver’s seat. Had VW bolted the wheel to the front grill, I would have given this thing five stars just for old time’s sake. Hell, I may have bought one. As nice as the Routan is– with its cubbies and LED map lights and 13 cup holders (six passengers can two-fist it, with the driver leaving one hand on the wheel) and back-up video camera– it’s got as much character as Brooke Shields in The Muppets Take Manhattan.
The Routan offers the same engines as its supposed Chrysler platform mates (duh): a 3.8-liter V6 making 197 hp or a 4.0-liter V6 turning-out 251 ponies. Bigger is better. The larger-engined SEL is not slow; zero to sixty in 8.9 seconds is an acceptable sprint time for a 4621 lbs. family hauler. More importantly, there’s plenty of torque on tap, allowing smooth, predictable acceleration at all speeds. AND the bigger motor gets slightly better gas mileage.
VW claimed they spent millions on the Routan’s suspension to give it that “VW feel.” Marketing execs now join TV weather people and my high school guidance counselor as people whose information must be “recalibrated” with reality. The whole world is not a parking lot. There’s simply too much waft, wallow and float, even for a minivan. I’ve driven heavyweight Dodge Chargers and sprightly VW GTIs. Both donor companies can do better.
I didn’t take the Routan on the Autobahn. Maybe there’s a difference between this four-wheeled crate and Dodge’s version at 100-plus miles per hour. The set up did seem a tad more taut than the Caravan’s… if I concentrated. What I came to believe, after a couple of mixed miles, is that whatever VW spent got diluted. Tweaking a suspension, while keeping everything else, yields nothing very much.
Taken as a whole, the Routan is the most desirable of the three minivans sharing this platform– provided you don’t need the trick seats. If Honda, Kia and Toyota weren’t in this space, the Routan would rule. But they are, so it doesn’t.
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October 1st, 2008 at 8:48 am
How much more does one have to spend for the VW badge?
How many more minivans would VW have sold if they’d produced their New Microbus? (I would have had trouble holding onto my wallet if that thing had been available.)
FWIW, my late parents had a ‘97 Dodge Caravan. It was (to my surprise) a very nice vehicle except for the very large amount of understeer–actually scary in emergency maneuver. I even thought the styling was quite good. This thing doesn’t do zip for me in the looks dept. Looks like a box with a VW face pasted on.
Nice review
October 1st, 2008 at 9:02 am
This article can’t get past the first paragraph without a major error.
“So why buy a VW Routan instead of a Chrysler product? For the same reason you’d buy a Chrysler minivan over a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna: no reason at all, really.”
Once rebates / inflated trade-in / dealer desperation are considered, the Chrysler is much cheaper then the other two.
That’s a reason, right?
October 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
Yeah, we get it. You don’t like Chrysler or Dodge so how could you possibly like the VW re-badger. I would check that last line for accuracy. Also, how many miles did you actually log behind the wheel?
As a father of three, my choices for conveyance must contemplate comfort (how’s that for alliteration?) I have found the Grand Caravan more than up to the task of hauling kids, strollers, and assorted gear. The entertainment system keeps everyone happy, including Mom.
I use my Caravan to move my people. As a genre Minivans aren’t sexy, should they try to be?
October 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
A giant answer to a question no one asked. Minivans suck, but rebadged minivans with a premium placed on their name only suck even more.
Next year, watch out for the BMW 425i–a Ford Freestar with a white and blue propeller slapped on the hood–only $89,995!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:08 am
I strongly disagree with the reviewer about the desirability of stow-n-go. The fact that this one lacks it is definite plus in that cargo rides on a floor of metal–not cheesy masonite and flimsy hinges.
Also, the middle seat stays home and clean, not exposed to whatever dirt the cargo might shed and the crummy false floor let through.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am
$38,230 as tested? That’s two loaded Sedona/Entourages (after discounts)! Slap on another couple grand, tweak up the interior and call it an Audi. I do think the front looks nice. Nice review.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am
To clarify:
The Routan’s base price is lower than it’s cousins. Rebates come, rebates go, the market determines the price, but there is no premium.
I think the stow-n-go is a wash. Without it, the seats are better. With it, you don’t have to worry about the seats. If you want to buy a sandbox at a garage sale and you need the space, you don’t have to come back for your second row seats.
For the record, I love mini vans. Had one for years. I even like this one, just not as much as some others.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:17 am
For those interested in the comparison, I’ll get pricing for the Chrysler, Dodge, and VW minivans into the database by Monday.
Aren’t the compartments for the Stow n’ Go seats still under the floor in the Routan? They are with the Swivel n’ Go Seats, which are comfortable and also do not stow.
Reliability for the Chrysler and Dodge has been among the worst for a 2008 so far in TrueDelta’s surveys. One common problem that was probably resolved before the Routan’s SOP: the rear bumper step pad had a tendency to warp upward, preventing the tailgate from opening.
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
October 1st, 2008 at 9:24 am
Jason:
Once rebates / inflated trade-in / dealer desperation are considered, the Chrysler is much cheaper then the other two.
That’s a reason, right?
Wrong. Factor in depreciation (not to mention the inevitability of Chrysler going belly-up) and Karesh’s reports on potential days off-road, and you’d be penny-wise and pound foolish to buy one.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’d like to see this depreciation data on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan. Are you assuming it’ll depreciate the same as a Golf or Passat?
Initial pricing may not be a great reason to purchase one, but it’s certain a reason when we’ve been told there isn’t one.
No reason at all, means no reason at all.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:48 am
@Jason: there’s also that 1500 Upromise college savings credit that you can put into your kid’s 529 fund.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:49 am
Is there anyone here who drove both the VW Routan and also the VW Sharan? How do they compare? I guess Caravan vs Sharan would be relevant too.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:50 am
At the ‘08 car show in NY, VW had ONE of these on display. A pretty nice looking product.
(I saw the VW first) — then I saw the Chrysler versions — and realized how little VW differentiated their model. While I liked the exterior look, the interior appeared to have almost nothing different. Compare pictures of the VW/Chrysler steering wheels — the dash — little is changed. My hope would be that the seating materials are better in the VW, which would count for something to me.
In this neck of the woods, the nearest VW dealer closed, and the next closest has a poor reputation for service. (and I might add, both the nearest Chryler and Dodge dealers closed, too.)
I’m done with minivans now that my kids are older. Given the utilitarian nature of these things, though, I think I’d choose Chrysler between the 2 based on price — given some of deals I’ve seen. The cost savings will be high, and probably more than adequate to pay for repairs out of pocket, if Chrysler is gone.
But as I observe what my neighbors are driving, when its a minivan 90% of the time its either the Honda or Toyota, not domestic. That may incline the less aware to choose VW?
Pete
October 1st, 2008 at 9:57 am
For the same reason you’d buy a Chrysler minivan over a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna: no reason at all, really.
Twelve thousand dollars.
As in: “the difference (in Canadian) that you’d pay for Sienna CE/Oddy DX versus a Caravan CVP”; also “less money than a Mazda5 or Kia Rondo.”
It’s crude, but it’s the cheapest way (especially if bought used) to haul a lot of people in relative comfort while still under warranty.
So why buy a VW Routan instead of a Chrysler product?
No idea. You can opt out of Sto’n'Go on the Chrysler vans, too, and you get comfortable second-row seats. The trim doesn’t look much better than the T&C and there’s only so much you can do with a minivan in terms of suspension tweaking; the Oddy already pushes the envelope in that respect.
Personally, I have no idea why anyone would buy the T&C, let alone the Routan, over the Caravan. If you need cheap–and this is damning with faint praise–it’s decent value for the money. If you need cheap but want something that’s actually pretty good, Kia has a nice package in the Sedona.
If you want a good van for what VW is asking for the Routan, well, you know who to call.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:58 am
@Richard Chen
It’s all adding up to be a hilariously horrible decision by VW to create this…thing.
Just in case anyone was getting the idea I was somehow defending it…I’m just pointing out how one early part of the article is patently untrue.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:00 am
I wasn’t aware they were selling this thing in Europe…i thought it was just a North American-only rebadge job. What happened to the Ford Galaxy/Volkswagen Sharan van? Isn’t that thing way better suited to European tastes? Will the Routan be offered with a diesel in Europe?
October 1st, 2008 at 10:03 am
As sad as this is, it (the Routan) will probably be the most reliable 2008 VW on the market.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:03 am
I surprised this review doesn’t include a “lipstick on a pig” reference. Seems fitting to me. Wish I was a fly on the wall over at VW when they were dreaming up this thing. All the VW loyalists I know wouldn’t touch a dressed up Caravan with a 10 foot pole. Who are they going after here? Passat owners with a 3rd kid? I just don’t get it.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
@NN
I don’t think the Routan is going to be sold in Europe. I do wonder if bringing the Sharan over from Europe would have been a better decision for VW.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:10 am
this is the flagship of the failboat armada.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am
Wrong. Factor in depreciation (not to mention the inevitability of Chrysler going belly-up) and Karesh’s reports on potential days off-road, and you’d be penny-wise and pound foolish to buy one.
I’d like to say that, if you get a sound, used late-model Caravan with not too many miles, you’re probably looking at a good deal. Someone else had already eaten the depreciation and will have found (and addressed) the more egregious quality issues.
Yes, there’s the whole “warranty, what warranty?” issue, but it’s cheap enough, and parts plentiful enough, that it might be worth it. Maybe.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am
I agree with Zenith on the stow and go seating, and would add that in order to fold the seats down, they had to make them of thin material not comfortable on a long haul (like to the corner store). Best to skip stow and go and get a hitch & utility trailer (or rent a Uhaul trailer for practically nothing) than pay for an option that will be a pain in the butt (literally for your poor kids in back) for the next few years of ownership.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:26 am
38,000 for a Caravan.
38,000 for a Caravan.
38,000 for a Caravan.
38,000 for a Caravan.
38,000 for a Caravan.
38,000 for a Caravan.
38,000 for a Caravan.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:31 am
…it’s got as much character as Brooke Shields in The Muppets Take Manhattan.
Talk about an obscure reference. You get the Dennis Miller award!
That was my younger brother’s favorite movie for a long time. He got up before school every morning for about six months in time to watch the whole thing. I’ve probably seen that movie 50-60 times.
Back on subject-
I can’t think of any good reason to buy this over a Sienna or an Odyssey or even the Hyundai/Kia twins.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:40 am
Jerzt,
We don’t hate Chrysler/Dodge. They have a large number of problems that are brought up and discussed here instead of dusted under the rug. There are a small handful of cars made by Chrysler we do like - Challenger, Viper, etc. Hell, I still like the 300 and Charger even though Chrysler has let them rot for way too long without a true update.
That said when my wife and I went to look for a mini-van we chose a Kia Sedona over the Caravan. It was cheaper, had a better warranty, and I had known a few people with Caravans that had too many issues with them so we took the chance on the Kia. So far it’s been a good van. Not excellent, but probably our best bet for buying a decently equipped van for under 20k (US). We liked the ride and interior better in the Kia too.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
BTY…25 MPG HWY is tremendous!
And don’t try to compare this with Hyundai or Kia!
PULEEEZE!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
Michael Martineck…
and Robert F.
OK.
We get it.
You don’t like the (Chrysler) minivans.
The nasty and can’t be explained comment in this review “a non-Germanic vehicle made for people comfortable living inside a box.” really sums up this person and others his like…you hate mini-vans.
OK, so you made a strange exception about buying it IF it had the old VDub front spare.
How nice and open minded.
But for the rest of us out here in fly-over country, families do exist.
Kids exist.
WE spend nights after work and every weekend going to over 200 practices and games.
We do need to haul things around, be it kids or couches.
And minivans have been life/family savers for years.
So JUST get over it.
The one thing that always saves us from the TV pundits or the upity coastal movie critic and auto reviewers is this…we get the final vote with our wallets.
And although Barbara and her Hollywood fakes told us we would lose the last 2 elections, George won.
And Michael, although they look like boxes and not sports cars, the Chrylser minivans are still the top selling.
Yes, even better than Toyota or Honda.
Hurray for common people!
BTY…25 mpg hwy is tremendous.
The VW looks better, with a more un-box like look.
And don’t try to compare this with Kia or Hyundai.
I have driven both and there is no comparison.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:04 am
ppellico,
That’s a bit harsh, not to mention incorrect. First of all, Robert hauls 4 girls around — in an Odyssey, so it’s not as if he doesn’t know what a family is or understand the utility of a minivan.
Secondly, Martin wrote an honest, solid review. You may disagree with it, but it doesn’t mean he’s a big Streisand fan — his politics and music tastes really are not relevant.
The quote “a non-Germanic vehicle made for people comfortable living inside a box” seems like a highly accurate statement. I think it completely appropriate to call VW on the “German engineered” BS in their Routan ads. And just look at these minivans — they are the boxiest vehilces on the market, now that the xB went Matrixy.
As far as Chrysler being the best seller, well, maybe. I suppose if you lump all 3 vehicles together and include fleet sales, then perhaps so. But Honda has been gaining share steadily, and is likely the retail king.
And if you think I’m anti-Chrysler or too snooty for a minivan, please know that I recently bought a ‘99 Dodge Gand Caravan. Why didn’t I buy a Honda or Toyota? Well, I had about 4,000 reasons…
October 1st, 2008 at 11:13 am
So VW designs moderns diesels in a partnership with DCX, but then Daimler sells Chrysler and VW doesn’t offer any diesels in this van, which would have been at least ONE first-to-market selling point.
Got it.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:25 am
One more reason to choose the Chrysler T&C over the VW Rotton: The T&C comes with Chrysler’s lifetime warranty (good for the life of the company), while the VW comes with VW’s standard 4/50K warranty.
Actually, now that I think about it, the VW warranty may be better after all.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:28 am
thalter
However, the Chrysler warranty, IIRC, is non-transferable and requires annual trips to the dealer to keep it current.
And doesn’t VW include maintenance now?
It’s up to the individual to decide which are the worse dealerships to visit! :D
October 1st, 2008 at 11:31 am
Interestingly, only the bigger engine is offered in Canada. Pricing starts at $28K for the base model, with the every-option-included/I’m a big pimp version running $49,975(!). With taxes, PDI, etc, that’s a $58K Caravan….
October 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Michael Moore even drives a Chrysler minivan. (At least he used to. I don’t know what he’s driving now. He doesn’t return my calls.)
October 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
“The set up did seem a tad more taught than the Caravan’s…”
Should be taut…
October 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am
I didn’t take the Routan on the Autobahn.
Nor will any Germans or Europeans in general for that matter, because thankfully, Veedub decided it’s not wise to offer it over here.
Now I wonder why they would make such a decision to not offer such a fine vehicle on their home market…
October 1st, 2008 at 11:44 am
kazoomaloo:
“The set up did seem a tad more taught than the Caravan’s…”
Should be taut…
Missed that one. I guess you taught me. Learned me? Text amended.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
This just sucks ass. VW has smaller, more efficient minivans in Europe, but they’re probably scared to import them because of the strong Euro.
Someone that is smart will pay $20K for the 6 passenger Mazda 5 with strong fuel efficiency and enough seats and storage for 90% of potential Routan buyers. Also, stick shift is available for people whose families have not completely killed their spirit.
Someone that is smart and a bit crazy will buy a Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon with a smallblock, 8 seats, SUV level towing ability, genuine faux wood paneling, and better fuel economy than this. Just make sure you Ziebart that bitch if you live in the snowbelt, they are never going to make them like that again so we have to make them last.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:55 am
Oops, redundant post.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
… and a genius buys a ‘95 E320 wagon with the fuel injected inline 3.2L six cylinder that gets better gas mileage than all of these pigs, outhandles any of them with ease, and costs less than half of the Mazda5!
Did I mention it’d be awesome looking with tinted windows and kick-butt AMG rims?
Yeah .. it does!
October 1st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Funny A Van.. It is been along time that I have not seen a VW Van.
What was the name of that VW Van that was so popular with Hippies?
Actually it looks like the old model of the Honda Odyssey probably the first batch.
Where is the pic of the rear seats?
October 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
@Beat
The Microbus,dude, the Microbus.
@Michael
Nice Review I fully concur.And yeah, with the spare tire up front and a flat six in the rear-I´ll buy the thing.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I would never buy a mini-van, but I have to say I think the new Chrysler vans are the best looking on the market with some nice innovations.
I don’t think that Chrysler products are as bad as the car media makes them out to be. I have two recently new Jeeps and they were well built and problem free. But I realize it’s easy to sit around and criticize, however few have a clue what their working on or what their plans are? All that we can do is to speculate.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I didn’t take the Routan on the Autobahn. Maybe there’s a difference between this four-wheeled crate and Dodge’s version at 100-plus miles per hour.
Doesn’t matter, because it will never see an Autobahn. A german car mag did a review of it recently for fun. The verdict was: It’s big, it’s cheap, everything else sucks, it guzzles gas.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I just bought my wife a mint ‘06 Town & Country with 27K miles for $14,000 cash. That massive depreciation was to my benefit. It’s a nice big tank of a van, and will serve us well for many years. Honda vans have alot of problems that everyone seems to gloss over. I was not impressed with the Odyssey. And if you’re judging a van by it’s 0-60 or handling, then you are not the target buyer. This thing is for hauling kids. I think this VW version is kinda silly and overpriced, but Chrysler does build a pretty good minivan. The Mazda 5 was too small, and I refuse to drive a Toyota.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Chrysler reliability sucks and VW reliability sucks…so let’s put them together! Oooh-ooh, can’t wait!
John
October 1st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
The Brooke Shields adds sucked. This review is awesome, and hits on all the short comings of the Routan. Well, there will be people who will buy it. I believe that it will depreciate like a rock, and as for me, not even this could convince me to buy one: http://www.johncarlbrown.com/Brooke_Shields_1024×768_004.jpg
October 1st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Unrelated to the review, all I can think of is VW Rotund when I see the name (the vehicle itself doesn’t help either).
October 1st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
In German, I believe this would be “Der Frankenvan” Or perhaps “Der schrecklichequalitätenvan.” (the awful-quality-van, you can compound words in German).
October 1st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
People who drive minivans have given up on life. No hope of ever having fun while behind the wheel, resigned to a living hell of carting kids and their detritus around town. “Abandon hope all ye who enter here”.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:39 pm
$38K for a rebadged Caravan.
Given the choice between a Routan and a Caravan, I’ll get an Entourage and bank the difference.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
A vehicle is only as good as its engine.
The Nissan Quest is the real winner here. The Nissan V6 is a fantastic engine, there’s tons of space, an innovative interior with a low dash, decent handling, a bit of style and its price competitive.
The Odyssey has an iffy tranny and a cheap looking dash, especially without nav. The Chrysler is purchased primarily on rebates, with the VW soon to follow.
My Quest has been perfect for 1 year, with 3 kids and often freinds tagging along. Order the SL with leather and its a proper deal.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Thirteen cupholders? Pretty soon they’re gonna hafta start considering a “stow-n-go” potty behind the third row.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:47 pm
We all know it: this thing sucks. The only positive thing is that the reliability might be better than other VW vehicles that have true German Engineering under the hood…
October 1st, 2008 at 5:47 pm
One more reason to choose the Chrysler T&C over the VW Rotton: The T&C comes with Chrysler’s lifetime warranty (good for the life of the company), while the VW comes with VW’s standard 4/50K warranty.
Actually, you need to read the fine print for that Lifetime Crysler Warranty. Further more, many of those who had the (dis)pleasure of owning a Dodge/Crysler have a sour aftertaste in their mouth after having to deal with various dealers for warranty repair.
Now Brooke Shields for life, that’s a whole different story… If she where only 20+ years younger…On second thought, she’s hideous.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
A giant answer to a question no one asked. Minivans suck, but rebadged minivans with a premium placed on their name only suck even more.
Hear, Hear!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself…:)
Whoever came up with the idea for this travesty of a vehicle needs to be seriously b****-slapped - or caned!!!
October 1st, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Whoever came up with the idea for this travesty of a vehicle needs to be seriously b****-slapped - or caned!!!
Same goes for whoever had the idea to do the Brooke Shields ads… (check out the vw.com web site, she’s there, on first page).
October 1st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Do VW dealers do all the scheduled maintenance? It seems like they wouldn’t be well set up to service this vehicle.
Will this every get any VW engines/transmissions? Perhaps the 2.0L turbodiesel with the 6-speed stick or DSG?
October 1st, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Someone at VW must be sleeping with someone at Chrysler. Or they’re stoned. Or both. This partnership is shockingly stupid. Lincoln Blackwood stupid.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Stow n’ Go is the best thing since sliced bread in minivans. It allows one person to convert the van from people hauler to cargo schlepper in a matter of minutes. And there’s no going home to pick up seats.
My family has an ‘06 T&C, and when my band has to do a show it’s a godsend. Throw all of the seats down, load up the entire band’s gear (I’ve fit my drum set and a full sound system in the back of it before, plus a guitar and amp) and head out. When the show is over and everybody takes their instruments home, then you have enough space left to put up a seat for the bum bass player who doesn’t have a car and needs a ride.
Sure, you can take seats out of other minivans, but for most people (especially the average mom that owns the minivan) taking out the bench seat in back especially is a two person job. With Stow n’ Go, you can do it all by yourself in a fraction of the time. Taking down the back bench is actually the easiest part. Then you still have seating for 4 and oodles of cargo space.
As far as the middle row bucket seats go, yes I would rather have the normal minivan seats, but I really don’t mind them at all. I’ve never been uncomfortable in them, but maybe that’s because I’m a smaller guy too (5′11, 140 lbs). YMMV, in the end.
And now for something really ironic… My local CDJ dealership just bought the Volkswagen franchise from another dealer that went out of business. So much for eliminating overlapping models.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
In 2-3 years this could be a deprecation bargain, a la Chevy Prizm.
My cousin who has two rug rats got a good deal on a pre-depreciated Chrysler minivan. For domestic chores with kids around they rock.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:01 am
Chrysler quality and VW dealer service. Talk about a match made in hell.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:23 am
For example, the spare tire. You must lower it to ground from a knob on the floor near the driver’s seat. Had VW bolted the wheel to the front grill, I would have given this thing five stars just for old time’s sake. Hell, I may have bought one.
HAHAHA, that is a funny thing you say. i always love the old Combi with the wheel up front. when i move to Brazil , i’m buying one of those.
as for the Routan, it does look much better than the rest, but that begs the question, why can’t Dodge/Chrysler draw better? the new models are really hideous, inside and out. barely good for airport shuttle service.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:56 am
Ach, mein leiben!
My old Kombi is rotating in its grave.
–chuck
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:04 am
In the minivan world, there is no better bargain out there right now than a 2-3 year old Chrysler minivan. I’m talking $8,000 for an ‘05 Chrysler minivan around here in Detroit (base model of course but that’s ok). Looking at this epic depreciation, why would I buy a new Chrysler or Chrysler-with-VW-sticker for $38,000???
As a buyer of lightly used minivans, I am happy that these things exist since more volume with weak demand means even worse depreciation. Still, every time I see one for sale, I have to wonder why someone would buy another new minivan now after taking such a huge hit on resale in such a short time?
As for the VW, no sale here. If they had built the Microbus then it would have been on my list of future 3-year-old cars to look at. As it stands now, I’m waiting for the boxy ‘08 Chrysler minivans to hit their full depreciation stride - I’d love to pick one up for $8,000 next fall…
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
no_slushbox :
October 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
This just sucks ass. VW has smaller, more efficient minivans in Europe, but they’re probably scared to import them because of the strong Euro.
Someone that is smart will pay $20K for the 6 passenger Mazda 5 with strong fuel efficiency and enough seats and storage for 90% of potential Routan buyers. Also, stick shift is available for people whose families have not completely killed their spirit.
I’m sure the Euro exchange rate has something to do with it, but also look at the Mazda 5’s tiny sales. Mircovans have never really sold well here.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I still like the Nissan Quest.
I think the Nissan Quest is under estimated by Honda and Toyota buyers.
The Nissan Quest looks so much better than other vans. It has 2 tv monitor, sky view roof, drives like a car and cheaper than the Sienna and Odyssey especially compared to VW
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
blue adidas :
October 1st, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Someone at VW must be sleeping with someone at Chrysler. Or they’re stoned. Or both. This partnership is shockingly stupid. Lincoln Blackwood stupid.
No, it makes sense, from a business stand-point.
VW wanted a (American-sized) minivan to be able to sell. They knew it wouldn’t sell well enough to justify design a new model from scratch, but it was a hole in their American line-up they wanted filled. Chrysler had extra minivan production capacity, so they were willing to do the deal for what was probably a pretty good price for VW.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I didn’t think of this before, but if we are going to talk about a Dodge minivan rebadged as a German brand then we might as well talk about a German van rebadged as a Dodge.
This stupid thing costs about $38K. The passenger version of the
DodgeMercedes Sprinter can be had well equipped for $39,370 ($2,925 extra for the turbo diesel). For that kind of money it has a 5 speed auto, 12 seats, and power everything with AC. All a person needs to do is go on eBay for the Mercedes logos.I think buying a $40K Mercedes Sprinter as a family van is pretty crazy, but it’s less crazy than buying this thing.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
It’s disheartening, to say the least, to read a review like this because it seems that the author decided not to like the Routan before he even saw it– simply because it is based on a Chrysler. It is even more disheartening to find so many misperceptions and misstatements of fact. First of all, the Routan is a BARGAIN. Comparably equipped, it is cheaper than any of its main competitors, the Sienna, the Odyssey, and the Town & Country. In fact, you would have to pay about $6000 more to buy a Sienna with the same equipment. Is the Toyota really worth that much more? Not if you objectively compare the two side by side. Second, VW spent over $100 million on revamping the suspension and steering of the Routan. That’s more than Chrysler probably spent designing the original suspension. And the changes are not superficial, they’re major. We’re talking much thicker and stiffer sway bars, different geometries, beefier components, etc. The minute you drive one of the Routans you will feel the difference. It is NOT sloppy in the corners, sorry, that’s just not true. It’s certainly not a sports car, but I’ve driven a Routan through a slalom course and it’s far better than your average mini-van. Last, the decision to dump “Stow ‘n Go” was a good one. For anyone who has sat in a Stow ‘n Go seat, they’re uncomfortable as heck. That’s because they are thinner and have less padding in order to fit into the floor. The VW seats are far more comfortable. Plus, you get the space below the seats for additional storage. Is it perfect? No. There are plenty of things that need improvement, like the cheap feeling gear shift selector. But it looks great, it handles great, and it’s competitively priced. So what’s the problem?
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
adamlink I hear you. You have a point.
Funny that you said:
“It is NOT sloppy in the corners, sorry, that’s just not true. It’s certainly not a sports car, but I’ve driven a Routan through a slalom course and it’s far better than your average mini-van.”
If you saw Top Gear they tested the ‘Ford Transit”
the best mini van ever built. Guess Where?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f95lV9ATzFw
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
That’s what I wanted to know adamlink - is it a strict rebadge or did VW take the basic vehicle and make something very different from it?
How much is VW and how much is Chrysler? Just the shell?
Thanks…
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I was curious of the same thing, a few weeks ago. I went to both of their manufacture’s respective websites (Dodge and VW) and checked out the galleries. Looked closely at the interiors and several parts are the same. Seat materials and some parts of the dash are different. All the small bits were Chrysler.
On the exterior, the front and D (most rearward) pillars as well as the rearend are different.
The drivetrain is pure Chrysler.
marc_m: Good shot of Brooke… she’s pointing right at you!
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Minivans are the best vehicles ever.
BEAT- Odyssey is the best minivan ever
European vehicles are all too small
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
First the Sharalaxy, now the Caroutan!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
It is sad what has happened to VW. They rebadged a third place van. Congratulations!
Do something that revives the class. Honda and Toyota are so good that they have the character of a kitchen blender. For those that have 3 kids, but are still drivers, do something innovative. Put a stick shift in it. Put a diesel motor in it. Put a boxer motor in it. As the review said, put the spare tire in front. Put microwindows in the ceiling. Bring back the microbus and make it cool again. VW would catch anyone needing a minivan and collect those wanting these silly crossovers. Don’t just rebadge a third place van. Seek to be the best again.
Honda and Toyota are so good that they are uninteresting. They are also very afraid to do anything different. And to the previous gentleman earlier, yes some do want something sexy that can haul their 3 kids in safety and comfort.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:41 am
My brother’s Wife drives the 2006 Chrysler Town and Country Touring with stow and go, dvd and 6 cd player.
But with a V6 engine she rarely uses it.
It is still running smooth on 45,000 miles
WITH NO problems.
http://www.2006chryslertowncountry.com/
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Minivanistas will know that reconfiguring seats means crawling around in the back moving CD collections, abandoned sippy cups, Tonka trucks and such before you can start the folding.
You’re freaking me out. It appears that you’ve been crawling around in my minivan?
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
ppellico said:
we get the final vote with our wallets…
And Michael, although they look like boxes and not sports cars, the Chrylser minivans are still the top selling.
Yes, even better than Toyota or Honda.
That is not true. Honda Odyssey is the top selling minivan in the United States in 2007.
By your logic, the Caravan is inferior to the Odyssey, because fewer units of the Caravans are sold. Furthermore, the Caravan is actually total garbage, since this is the home ground and almost nobody buys the Caravan in Japan.
October 4th, 2008 at 3:28 am
There were only few routans vehicles that I have seen here in our location, but probably that car is somewhat popular with some other locations.
“Routan is the most desirable of the three minivans sharing this platform– provided you don’t need the trick seats. If Honda, Kia and Toyota weren’t in this space, the Routan would rule. But they are, so it doesn’t.”
October 6th, 2008 at 12:10 am
The current Odyssey is incredible. I cannot understand how anyone who has actually seen and driven a new Odyssey can honestly say that the Chrysler is better, except for possibly bargain pricing. My sister bought a loaded new Odyssey Touring, with leather and Nav & DVD. Sticker price: $34K. Actually paid $32K. And that was over a year ago, you can probably do better now.
I have had the priviledge of driving her Odyssey for over an hour, loaded with 4 adults and 3 kids. Handled great and plenty of power, with gas mileage in the mid 20’s thanks to cylinder deactivation. I floored it at a stoplight and got howls of protest from the women in back, I was somewhat startled myself but stayed in it and was amazed how fast it was.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I just checked on carsdirect.com, and the Odyssey is quoted at an even greater discount off MSRP than a Town & Country. I seems that Honda isn’t letting Chrsyler get any pricing advantage.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
ppellico:
The one thing that always saves us from the TV pundits or the upity coastal movie critic and auto reviewers is this…we get the final vote with our wallets.
And although Barbara and her Hollywood fakes told us we would lose the last 2 elections, George won.…
For a minute there, I thought you were on to something…
November 6th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Call me Captain DeadThread. Got my first looks and a ride in a Routan today. My wife’s 04 Passat is in for its 60K service, and the local dealer had one in the showroom to check out, and they retired the old VR6 EuroVan in favor of a Routan for the courtesy shuttle.
Alas, the SE in the showroom did not have a sticker on it - I am curious what they were asking for this 3.8L with cloth interior but with Nav and Child Placation System.
On my shuttle trip, the driver told me he had the Routan for three weeks and he was not impressed. In his broken English, he said, “Its a Chrysler,” and “When you think of VW, you think of German.” While riding along, I can say it was quiet with nary a squeak, and the ride was not floaty, about the best assessment I can give it. My driver noted the 3.8L models are underpowered.
Like all the rest of you, I can’t see it. I would my rather find a CPO Odyssey Touring and dePAX it.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
pariah :
Thirteen cupholders? Pretty soon they’re gonna hafta start considering a “stow-n-go” potty behind the third row.
This comment almost made me spit up my beverage. Luckily I didn’t short out my keyboard. Thanks for the laugh!
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Whoever came up with the idea for this travesty of a vehicle needs to be seriously b****-slapped - or caned!!!
marc_m:
Same goes for whoever had the idea to do the Brooke Shields ads… (check out the vw.com web site, she’s there, on first page).
Nope, I just looked; she’s not there. Her ads are kind of creepy. Leave the pregnant ladies alone, Brooke, you give us all the willies!
December 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Instead of squandering development money on the short-lived Phaeton, imagine how things might have turned out if VW had instead developed the Microbus concept for production.
The Routan can be summed up in four words: What might have been.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:27 am
@ snickster,
Pretty harsh comment regarding those who own minvans? Given up on life? Hardly! Most people I know who own one tend to have one of the best qualities of life I know. Active kids, parents who participate in their activities…no pretenses regarding what they’re being seen in. When my son was much younger, we had a minivan (yeah, so it was a used Pontiac Montana…but the thing could tow my pop-up camper, had dual sliding doors and was the perfect vehicle for the upteen-million Scout camps I went to). It sure as hell wasn’t sexy, but all of our gear fit into it, and when we travelled, we had no issues with taking our dogs with us, along with our stuff, plus still leaving enough room for the actual humans! The one-box design is still one of the most efficient there is when it comes to moving people and gear…period.
Now, as far as the Routan goes, I’m sorely disappointed in Volkswagen for cozing up to Chrysler. They could have done much better on their own. I’ve been in several new Chrysler vans, and the interior quality stinks! Is a VW much better? Probably not significantly. If I was looking for a minivan again, it wouldn’t be new (depreciation, and I’m not a fan of financing cars…call me old-fashioned when it comes to buying stuff. Cash is king. Maybe the economic downturn we’re in will refocus us ALL on resetting financial priorities and spending habits.)…and it wouldn’t be for a Chrysler product (or now, VW, as it were!).
December 28th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I just went looking for Minivans today, with the Routan being on the list. The pricing was right, with 0% financing available for up to 70 months. This is incredible financing. After looking at all the other minivans, none compared to the price/value. We would have gone with the VW, HOWEVER, the utter lack of adjustability on the middle seats squashed the deal. I dont think any review has mentioned that the middle seats do NOT slide forward or backwards AT ALL. WTF? Who designs a minivan where the seats dont even move forward or backward. This makes entry into the rear seats dificult at best. I think this is a MAJOR flaw with this minivan. The seats felt great to sit in, but with my knees were right up on the back of the driver seatl. Does VW think people will just overlook this major flaw?