CD Article: 2009 VW Routan Highline

[rrocket]

Due to lead time, I can't be sure what timeframe they were referring to...

But the insisted it was one of their top sellers..

[vdk]

Jetta SDN Dec Sales 6,815

[dr_spock]

I was shuttled around in one the other day.  The ride was much more comfortable than the Eurovan.  The interior material seemed nice enough for a VW.

[Spheric]

Shuttle or no shuttle - I've not seen any of these on the road yet. Same goes for the CC.

[tpl]

I haven't seen either yet. I saw my 2nd Tiguan in 6 months yesterday.  Maybe its just the Guelphites don't like VW products.

[johngenx]

VW missed an opportunity to do something different, like a TDI mini-van...

[airbalancer]

Shuttle or no shuttle - I've not seen any of these on the road yet. Same goes for the CC.

Saw a CC the other day, it was nice

[libraman]

Coincidentally, I spent 5 hours in a Dodge yesterday (TO-Parry Sound-TO), in the second row seats, then sat in a Routan in the afternoon. The VW is likely well-worth the extra $$ just for the interior. The Dodge S&G seats (second row) are not comfortable, and the interior has a slightly plastic-fantastic feel; the VW is far superior. There sure is a lot of room in one of these things, though, irrespective of Dodge or VW. I can see their attraction for a family.

Now, for something one seldom ever gets on CDNDriver: REAL WORLD fuel consumption numbers (pace, Jil McIntosh, who generally does offer this useful information):

40.6 litres to travel 372.5 km
or
8.86 CDN gallons to travel 231 miles

10.89 l/100 km
or
26.07 CDN mpg

Conditions: Generally lousy weather, three adult males onboard, 90-115kph, ~0oC temperature.

Thanks for the real world figures. What engine was that in the Dodge? 3.3?

[Eric Green]

Coincidentally, I spent 5 hours in a Dodge yesterday (TO-Parry Sound-TO), in the second row seats, then sat in a Routan in the afternoon. The VW is likely well-worth the extra $$ just for the interior. The Dodge S&G seats (second row) are not comfortable, and the interior has a slightly plastic-fantastic feel; the VW is far superior. There sure is a lot of room in one of these things, though, irrespective of Dodge or VW. I can see their attraction for a family.

Now, for something one seldom ever gets on CDNDriver: REAL WORLD fuel consumption numbers (pace, Jil McIntosh, who generally does offer this useful information):

40.6 litres to travel 372.5 km
or
8.86 CDN gallons to travel 231 miles

10.89 l/100 km
or
26.07 CDN mpg

Conditions: Generally lousy weather, three adult males onboard, 90-115kph, ~0oC temperature.

Thanks for the real world figures. What engine was that in the Dodge? 3.3?

Sorry, no idea. It was a rental, so likely the cheapest of the bunch? I did not know that Dodge offered >1 motor. It had a 5-speed auto, from what I could tell. Seemed to scoot along adequately.

[Rupert]

6 speed.

[DockMan]

Finally an accessible van that our family might procure..... time to start saving the pennies.

Rear entry VW Routan conversion is available from Liberty in TO.

http://www.libertymotorco.com/

[libraman]

Yeah they should stick a diesel in that thing...

SO the big question for me is: What is the better deal, the base Routan or the base Dodge?  Anyone have any insights in this regard?

[vdk]

Yeah they should stick a diesel in that thing...

SO the big question for me is: What is the better deal, the base Routan or the base Dodge?  Anyone have any insights in this regard?

Base Routan.. just because... haha 

[Rupert]

The base Dodge is quite a different vehicle and engine. The base Dodge being a 3.3L and no 'stow and go' I believe. The price difference between the two base's being about $10,000 seemingly. We had the previous model with the 3.3L and only cruise and it served us very well. We took the third row seat out and it was never used so that we had a nice big station wagon with second row captains chairs that could be easily taken out individually through the side doors to give an even larger floor area. I thought that was a bargain. If the latest base has a removable captain chair second row option, it might be worthy of consideration...may only be on 'stow and go' now.

[safristi]

... $10,000 more  wot a ROUTAN DEAL...................... ..ya WIN-Dsor some ya lose some..............Stow and GO wif the Caravan................$10K get ya 4 years of GAS

[Rupert]

Saw one of these today. I thought it looked more like a Toyota version of the Caravan. Still prefer the original.

[ktm525]

Saw a greenish blue one today. Underwhelming.

[Rookie]

Why all the picking on this vehicle. Most of their cars are built in Mexico now, not Germany. You guys are all Euro snobs. WOW. 0.9% is offered on all their vehicles right now up to 60 months, and actually 0% up to 48 months. In case no one has seen there is a recession and not many cars are selling anywhere. The vehicle looks great and they have teamed up with the company that basically invented the modern minivan and have sold more than anyone, so give it a rest ok?

I don't think they're setting the world on fire in terms of sales(at least not around here). I've only ever seen one on the road and it was the VW service shuttle.

When VW offers .9% for 5 years you know it's not moving that great.  Although, it is probably is a fine vehicle in the base unit. 

[airbalancer]

Why all the picking on this vehicle. Most of their cars are built in Mexico now, not Germany. You guys are all Euro snobs. WOW. 0.9% is offered on all their vehicles right now up to 60 months, and actually 0% up to 48 months. In case no one has seen there is a recession and not many cars are selling anywhere. The vehicle looks great and they have teamed up with the company that basically invented the modern minivan and have sold more than anyone, so give it a rest ok?

I don't think they're setting the world on fire in terms of sales(at least not around here). I've only ever seen one on the road and it was the VW service shuttle.

When VW offers .9% for 5 years you know it's not moving that great.  Although, it is probably is a fine vehicle in the base unit. 

Do do you find 0% for 48
They 0 for 36
Limited time finance offer available through Volkswagen Finance on approved credit. 0% APR financing available for up to 36 months
http://www.vw.ca/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en_ca_on/shop___price/specials___offers.html

[Jaeger]

Tell me this isn't real.......

The first time I heard that VW had reskinned a Chrysler minivan and marketed it as a superior example of German engineering, I thought it was a joke.  I mean, it HAD to be a joke.

Jaeger