CD Article: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


Built on the same assembly line as Chrysler's minivans, the new VW Routan has a unique exterior and interior design, but doesn't include Chrysler's fold-into-the-floor Stow 'N Go second row seats, reports Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon.  Prices start at $27,995.
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Read the article | View the photos | All the First Drives

[Honda Owner]

Is somebody at VW crazy?

[Mattesa]

What year is it again?  Almost 2009?  Humankind is still not making any forward progress?

That's a shame.

[PJungnitsch]

Brooke Shields, 'powerfully' telling the most important story of our time, the Routan boom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDZSxFLcMVg

[Thinking Out Loud]

And, in return, Chrysler get the rights to have VW put;

• a 'cross hairs' grill
• unsupportive seats
• blacked out paint
• a 'Shelby' sticker on the right rear hatch lid

onto the Rabbit GTI.

Voila, the rebirth of the 2009 Dodge Omni GLH is here!  Get Iacocca on the phone, stat!

[Schmengie]

You can put lipstick on a Chrysler, but it's still a....well, you know.

[Cortina]

It should be interesting to see how many VW Routans/Re badge Caravans will sell here in Canadaland. As to why VW did this, they must have some kind of technology sharing going on. 

Ummmm....Maybe they will teach Dodge how to make better plastics.

[Diesel Advocate]

This is not a bad looking van even if it is Chrysler based. I would have hoped that VW would have added a diesel option for this van as used in the European versions of the Chrysler Voyager (Town&Country). Still the gas mileage is comparible to the other Vans even Honda and Toyota.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

It looks fine. The interior is better than in the Chrysler versions. It's likely more reliable than anything VW could have put together on short notice. Seems like win-win to me.

[Demosthenes X]

  The Caravan/Town and Country might not be the best van in the world, but it's one of the best-selling for a reason.  It's probably Chrysler's best vehicle overall, in fact.

With the tweaks VW has made, it sounds like a very promising unit in the van market.  Now put a TDI under the hood!

[airbalancer]

Which TDI would you like under the hood, 4 or 6 ?

Is not all the Germany companies used the same clean diesel technology?