  2009 Volkswagen Routan Execline. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Volkswagen Routan
Toronto, Ontario – I’ve always been a big fan of the minivan. Never mind that they are totally uncool. Never mind that “minivan” is an acronym for “Manhood Is Not Intact, Vasectomized And Neutered.” Never mind that I’ve received a gazillion letters starting with, “I want a roomy family vehicle – but not a minivan.”
I’m here to state the minivan is the most intelligent form of family transportation, period. As such, I booked a 2009 Volkswagen Routan Execline for our annual family and friends ski excursion to Ellicottville, New York.
While VW can arguably be credited for creating (or at least popularizing) the minivan with nearly four decades of the iconic Microbus (1950-1989), the Wolfsburg automaker has jumped into bed with Chrysler on this one – the other company that knows a thing or two about cubist family haulers.
 2009 Volkswagen Routan Execline. Click image to enlarge |
Skeptics might be quick to dismiss the Routan as nothing more than a Chrysler Town & Country with a VW badge on the front. After all, it is built in the same Windsor, Ontario plant and shares most of the mechanicals. Yes, the profile is unmistakably Dodge/Chrysler, but a walk around reveals a distinctly Volkswagen visage and a softer, more attractive rear end treatment. In fact, the only body panels shared with the Chrysler are its side doors and roof. The panel gaps, however, are more Windsor than Wolfsburg.
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at 7:10 am
The Chrysler version actually looks better than this expensive brand-killer vanity minivan.
This will be one of those vehicles that we look back at in 5-10 years and laugh about.
at 7:51 am
Hopefully this will turn into another Phaeton — an excellent used luxury/premium vehicle for a stupid low price!
at 8:11 am
Hilarious, Mark. Unfortunately, this thing will have the worst of both worlds: Big 3 resale value and finicky electrical gizmos. It might end up more like a used XJ6, cheap to buy, expensive to run…
If I were going to buy a VW badge-engineered vehicle, I think I’d prefer the VW Taro (1990s Toyota Hilux with VW badges).
at 8:44 am
I agree with Peter, the minivan makes the most sense when it comes to all around family transportation. The VW version is what Chrysler should have done in the first place.
at 8:46 am
Something about Chrysler build quality and VW service has buyers lined up none-deep. VW sold only 8,800 Routans last year. 30,000 of the rebadged Caravans are in dealer storage, a 3.4-year supply! It seems you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
It’s astonishing VW thought a barely warmed over Chrysler minivan would be a good idea. Did they really think there are that many rich, stupid people out there? If anybody really wants one there’s got to be a hell of a fire sale coming up.
at 8:53 am
Rich?! The Routan starts at 27,975 – while a good deal more than the Caravan, not exactly what I would call a rich person’s car. I guess it’s good for VW that your perception of them is that high, though.
at 8:55 am
PS – Isn’t the Town and Country around $50k as well? Pretty sure…at least a $50K VW SOUNDS better and cooler to your friends – not that it’s ok either way!
at 1:38 pm
Chrysler quality paired with VW reliability. Can’t imagine why sales are flatlined…
at 1:55 pm
As minivans go, this is perhaps the nicest looking. I like the corporate front end, as it looks almost identical to VW’s cute ute Tiguan.
But a slightly reworked Chrysler with a VW badge does not make for an appealing package.
at 7:20 pm
The VW marketing guys ar ‘far-from-grooving’ with this brain-dead idea. What ever happened to the real microbus they’d paraded around the circuit a few years ago? Shame on them to sink so low in re-badging a Chrysler!!! of all things. If this was a Chrys-puter – , , Darn it!! Blue Screened.
. The End.at 7:23 pm
VW should bring to North America market European minivans with Tdi, not rebaged Chrysler Caravan. I think that was totally stupid decision and they see this already.
at 9:24 pm
I like the Routan (Chrysler) minivan , it looks like a normal van unlike the Euro Van that VW put out for years . That where not very appealing at all to look at . If VW would have teamed up with Chrysler 5 or 10 years ago they would have had quite a market share . The Routan might not be a true VW but it is as nice as any mini van available out there right now !
at 9:41 pm
Figures I saw a couple of weeks ago on another website show that Chrysler has buit more than 20,000 Routans for VW, while the latter has sold less than 6,000. Consequently, VW has asked Chrysler to stop producing them.
This thing had failure written all over it as soon as it was announced.
at 11:57 pm
I love VWs, and I love Caravans. But this just doesn’t do it for me. It’s a VW without the german engineering inside, and it’s a Caravan without the value.
Had the microbus concept got a green light, it would’ve been the coolest minivan on the market today.
at 1:11 am
I hope it works! The combination of one of the best selling vehicles in Canada along with one of the best marketers in the country combined with the misconception that this might be a better car than the town and country ( obviously Chrysler would build two versions, on the same production line, by the same workers and then put a competitors badge on the “more refined” version )A business model any large corporation would surely adopt. Right now they are trying to improve on the fantastic 09 Dodge Ram so that the version they are building for Nissan to replace the slow selling Titan will be the vastly superior model.I mean why wouldn’t they ?
at 9:34 pm
VW strikes out again!!! Phaeton, TourEGG, Rootanne…who thought any of these were a “good” idea?
Jokes
at 6:31 pm
VW is trying to make a quick buck off this Routan. It’s also what Chrysler should have done from the get-go with the latest redesign. Make the larger engine standard, and offer trim packages with a few options, instead of three dozen different options. Keep it simple, stupid.
I’m sure if VW had made their 2.0L TDI engine optional in the Routan with either six speed transmission, it would out-sell the Dodge GC and Chrysler T&C combined. Acceleration would be on par with the base Dodge’s 3.3L V6 and four speed auto. Mileage would be a lot better as well, especially for those who regularly frequent the cottage, a base trim level diesel Routan would pay for itself faster than it would depreciate.
at 7:48 pm
This van is another example of VW pandering to the US market at Canada’s expense and failing miserably, again.
Note to VW: See that line between Canada and the US,it’s called a border, different market, different requirements, similarities yes, but not the same.
Remember this is the same company that thought a 2.5L 5cyl – not available anywhere else but in NA – is a great choice for this market or changing the name from Golf to Rabbit was a swell idea.
Sometimes you wonder just what they’re thinking or smoking when they come up with these ideas. They seem well educated and smart but then again who knows.
I’d like to corner a VW dealer and ask them to be honest and tell us just how freaking clueless they think the overlords at the American headquarters really are.I’m sure we’d get an earful.
Every time I’m in Europe I see a great selection of superior cars, commercial vehicles and diesel engines and wonder, why can’t we get these, or at least some?
VW’s response? Another Americanized sedan,or a fatter Polo; memo to VW – Where is your data supporting this?
Perhaps if they understood that they are a European car company and middle America may never consider buying one, then they can concentrate on building market share in NA to those consumers who like the cars and people carriers they sell to the rest of the world.
Their presence here is minuscule already, so what have you got to lose?
at 7:56 pm
And Porsche VW tightening their relationship according to today’s news…say it aint so. Soon we’ll have Porsche Minivans built in Windsor Ontario…YIKES