CD Article: 2009 VW Routan Highline

[CD_Editor]

         
Test Drive:


The Volkswagen Routan is more than just a restyled Chrysler Town & Country minivan, says contributor Bob McHugh.  It offers some unique VW touches, a generous level of standard equipment and a competitive price, he says.  
 More: View the photos | All the Test Drives

[Honda Owner]

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

[rrocket]

Yup...built in Windsor, Ontario.....

Apparently selling pretty well in the US from what I recall....

[articsteve]

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

You didn't know .....   

Top model with tow package is $52K , but .9% financing     

[tpl]

IIRC     VW decided that the Euro version of the van could not be sold at a profit here and after some time got this construction deal from Chrysler or was it D-C then.

[Shnak]

I've got to say that this doesn't look like a bad deal at all! The base one at 28k already comes well equiped, and while I'm not entirely sold on the engine and transmission (reliability, etc.), for the price, this seems like one of the better purchases on the market.

I personally would feel weird driving a fake VW, but considering a real VW minivan would easily start at 35k+, I think that odd feeling wouldn't last too long.

[safristi]

..i'd prefer the NEW FAKE VW.............a Cayman.............. ...it would look Ferry Ferry nice on ME.................................

[Rupert]

I don't find the rear aspect of this van better looking than the Dodge Caravan...I suppose some might. We have the latest Caravan with the 3.8 engine and tow package which comes with Nivomat load levelling dampers and find the ride to be outstanding with or without the trailer hooked up. Dont understand remarks about the stearing ours is fine. Suspect we paid many dollars less than for this one and now you can get the Caravan with the 4L V6. The 3.8 is powerful enough for a van but the extra torque of the 4L would improve towing a bit. Have nothing derrogatory to say about the quality of our van. We bought it...ran it in for a couple of thousand klicks...changed the oil and took off for two months with our 2000 LB. trailer through the Rocky Mountains and back to TO. Love the shift lever and six speed for towing and Zero problems to report. The position of the Auto-stick shift lever allows you to shift a gear without removing your hand from the stearing wheel which is usefull when towing in hills...only time I have found a use for these things. A very gratifying purchase from our viewpoint and suppose the VW will be too. Incidentally the Chrysler van which we traded for the present one was also a super vehicle...extreemely reliable also.

[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.

[sailor723]

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.

[Rupert]

The second row seats in the Caravan are constructed to fold flat into the floor. This of neccesity means that there will be less padding in them. It seems that the VW ones do not  but there is a facility for removing the seat backs and storing in the basement seemingly. It's a trade off...better comfort v convenience. I have not been inside a Routan but the Caravan SXT is nice in my opinion and the seat material is very good. Front seat comfort is excellent.

[ktm525]

The review sounds like it came from VW's promotional department.

[Bullet Blue]

I've actually seen four of these around so far, which was a lot more than I expected 

[Craig]

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.

That was my thought - now VW dealerships will have a VW shuttle.  That's about it.

[vdk]

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.

Actually I've seen 2.. both service shuttles..

[articsteve]

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. 

[rrocket]

I read somewhere (US magazine) that currently the Routan is the VW US' best selling model....

[Jaeger]

Yep.  Gotta love that superior German engineering.

Jaeger

[articsteve]

I read somewhere (US magazine) that currently the Routan is the VW US' best selling model....

It could be.  The US market is so different than ours.  Whats up here is down there and vise versa.

[airbalancer]

Routan Dec US sales 899
Tiguan Dec US Sales 1029