2009 Volkswagen Routan

Detroit automaker supplies roof, doors and drivetrain for new Volkswagen hauler

Oct 04, 2008

Special to the Star

JORDAN, ONT.–Does the market need another minivan? Volkswagen thinks it does, and so, making its way to dealers now, is the Routan, the newest entry in the segment.

Arguably, VW created the segment with its 1950 Transporter, while Chrysler made it mainstream with the 1984 Dodge Caravan. Fittingly, the two join forces on this one: under its skin, the Routan is a Town & Country, built by Chrysler on its minivan line in Windsor, but with final quality control by on-site VW employees.

Routan retains Chrysler's roof and doors, but the front and rear are Volkswagen. Head on, it looks like an oversized Jetta wagon.

The differences continue inside, with an attractive metal-look ledge that runs from door to door and forms the instrument cluster bezel, while breaking the centre stack into two separate units of stereo and climate control.

Chrysler's dash-mounted shifter remains, though, because the stuff under the hood is identical. For 2009, Chrysler has dropped Town & Country's base 3.8 L engine previously shared with Grand Caravan. That means both T&C and Routan come exclusively with a 4.0 L V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. This is a good, strong engine and makes Routan nice to drive, with fuel economy that's in line with the segment.

The suspension and steering have been "Euro-tuned" to further differentiate it and give it a "VW feel." It's hard to think of a 2,096-kg people-hauler as sporty, but it does handle very well for a minivan, with a ride that's stiffer than Chrysler's but in no way rough or unpleasant.

Not surprisingly, Volkswagen isn't advertising the partnership agreement, which is inked for five years. Instead, Routan is "German engineered" and, more specifically, "the most affordable seven-seat import nameplate van in Canada." That's because VW's sights are set not on its partner company, but on the Japanese – specifically, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

Routan's starting price of $27,975 undercuts the 2008 version of the base Odyssey, at $31,490, and the seven-passenger Sienna CE at $28,990. It's also cheaper than the base 2008 Hyundai Entourage ($30,995), Kia Sedona ($29,745) and Nissan Quest ($32,598), as well as the 2009 Town & Country Touring ($36,995). Only the 2009 Dodge Caravan ($26,595) and 2008 Chevrolet Uplander ($27,620 in long-wheelbase) start at a lower price.

Naturally, with so many cash incentives and discounts around, these MSRPs are just that – suggestions.

At the top end, Routan's Execline comes in at $49,975, making it the priciest of the group among front-wheel-drive vans (the top-line Sienna in all-wheel is $50,370). But there are a lot of features stuffed inside, and if you want a German badge in your driveway, the only other option is Mercedes-Benz, for its minivan-esque, no-sliding-doors R-Class at $63,500.

The decision to go with Chrysler – a choice made so long ago Daimler was still in front of it – was a financial one in the face of opportunity. Ford had abandoned minivans and GM was threatening to, and according to Volkswagen Canada chief John White, the company saw a chance to pick up some of the 40,000 units that would be coming off the market. VW's European vans were deemed too small for North America – Routan will be sold only in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico – and it was simply too costly to make one from scratch.

And for all the grief they take as "mommy-vans", minivans are still the most efficient, comfortable and economical way to move a big batch of people at one time. If you've ever tried to put three child seats safely into a sedan, you'll know why the segment may have declined, but stubbornly refuses to die.

VW also cites the importance of a full line, and says it lost about 15 per cent of its customers who went to other brands that offered minivans. The automaker hopes to sell 1,000 Routans in Canada this year, and 5,500 in 2009.

The revised Grand Caravan/Town & Country is a good van and VW's treatment steps it up a notch. Save for a couple of minor missteps, such as thin plastic pieces and a dash-mounted cubby with a chintzy lid mechanism, the interior is beautifully finished with soft-touch surfaces and quality materials.

There are four trim levels – Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and Execline – and I found the stain-resistant cloth seats in the Comfortline I drove more supportive than the leather ones in the Execline. The Trendline has a second-row bench seat, while all others have captain's chairs.

Chrysler held back some features, most notably its fold-into-the-floor Stow 'n Go second-row seats, as well as the Swivel 'n Go spinning seats and plastic table. Routan's second row must be removed and stored, but on the plus side, it's considerably more comfortable than the thin-foam folding version.

The third-row seats tuck completely into the floor or can be flipped backwards for "tailgate" seating when the van is parked.

All models include full-length curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and power window operation for all three rows. Move up through the levels and you get such features as second-row heated seats, power pedals, Xenon headlamps, hands-free phone connection, power sliding doors and tailgate, and memory seats.

Rear-seat DVD systems are available in all models and the top lines offer a second system, so that the dual screens can show different movies.

Whether this latest competitor will breathe new life into the segment remains to be seen, but if the Routan doesn't, it certainly won't be for lack of trying.

Toronto Star