What's Wrong With This Picture: Modern Microbus Uncovered? Edition

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: August 11th, 2010

what s wrong with this picture modern microbus uncovered edition

In the last installment of our New Or Used? series, Sajeev, Steve and our Best and Brightest teamed up to help a reader find the modern equivalent of a Volkswagen Microbus. Because answers were limited to US-market vehicles, this CrossTouran wouldn’t have made the cut, but in a perfect world, this might just have been the car our reader was looking for. But with a starting price of €27,700 ($35k) for a 105 HP version, it’s still missing the kind of US-market appeal that might tempt VW planners to send it stateside… especially with the more American-friendly Tiguan starting at $23k, and the more off-road-capable Touareg going for about $40k. But if a small, AWD van is what you’re looking for, there is an automaker willing to take a risk on your peculiar tastes: the next-gen Mazda5 may not be a looker, but it’s said to come with an AWD option when it debuts in the US early next year.

#3WTP #AWD #Design #Enthusiasm #Europe #FutureVehicles #Germany #Van

Edward Niedermeyer

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2 of 15 comments

Eastcoastcar on Aug 12, 2010

What a shame that VW has joined the 'they all look alike' crowd in auto and minivan design. This thing looks like a Chrysler design to me. But all cars look like Chrysler designs, even the Benz and the BMW look like Chrysler designs. Maybe in 15 years, the car companies will have decided to develop unique-to-brand vehicles. I won't spend car money until they do.

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Accs on Sep 03, 2010

Ya know... I think its really pathetic when the Mazda5 has to have a awd unit.. to make people buy it. Is there no actual intelligence here? Having a awd unit.. only means your vehicle is heavier.. but without the snow tires it actually needs, or the concept to operate the #*@*@ thing. And seriously.. WHO actually buys a TOUREG to go off road. This VAN has as much ability as the TOUREG uses it.

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