2009 Volkswagen Routan Las Vegas NV

November 18, 2009   By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor



2009 Volkswagen Routan
DriverSide Overview
If you think there's something familiar looking about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan , here's a hint: imagine a Chrysler badge on it. Ignoring the overhauled front and rear ends, the middle is distinctly from the Town & Country . This isn’t an adventure in copyrights; built at the American manufacturer’s Canadian plant, the Routan is made up of 80 percent Chrysler parts. Volkswagen cites time constraints and costs as primary reasons why they partnered with the automaker on their first U.S. spec minivan. The collaboration makes sense, too. The minivan market, while smaller than it used to be, still has a strong hold on family car buyers. The Routan fills a void for the German company's lineup and introduces a new competitor to a stale segment. It also takes two of the T&C’s more powerful engines and adds a well-designed interior and plenty of features that aren’t usually standard. For that 20 percent of the car that is all VW, you'll find changes to the suspension, steering and interior. The exterior gets a more modern design as well. This is no Porsche, if you couldn't tell from the pictures, but Volkswagen has given us a people carrier with some truly German abilities.








What's to Like
The stiffened suspension makes for a much more dynamic ride than the traditional fare. The third row can be folded away under the floor with a push of a button and the side doors open and close with just a tug of the handle. Free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles will let Routan owners worry about the more important things in their lives.

What's Not to Like
The center console's compartments feel flimsy, and you're on your own if your kid spills juice in there. The low roofline makes for a nice looking exterior, but clambering to the back seats can be a little awkward. Some drivers will be dismayed that the steering wheel doesn't telescope, as it can result in an uncomfortable driving position.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The 4.0-liter engine is quick, and cuts through the air more efficiently than you'd think for an object shaped similarly to a toaster. The smaller 3.8-liter V-6 handles driving situations with unexpected ease as well. That’s what happens when engineers snag the two most powerful engines from the Chrysler parts bin. The Routan's steering has plenty of feedback, despite a minor dead spot in the center. Transmission shifts are smooth and instant, giving you more power on demand without having to think too much about it. A firmer (relatively speaking, of course) suspension makes the ride moderately rougher than others in the segment, but there wasn't that frustrating feeling of riding in a hovercraft either. And a lack of pitch and roll around corners means the kids won't have to pop Dramamine tablets while riding in the back.

Engine and Dr...

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