2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN

The Routan minivan is a Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country, reviewed and corrected by Volkswagen. Volkswagen’s redesign brings alterations to the front and rear, heftier seats and German tuning for the suspension and steering. The vehicle is otherwise all Chrysler but without the Stow ‘n Go and Swivel ‘n Go seats. The Routan is offered in Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and Execline trim levels.

Interior and cargo area

The front seats are easy to access and very comfortable, with very good side support. The driver’s seat has lumbar adjustment. The driving position is good, and headroom and legroom are generous. The wide doorsills make it difficult to execute a graceful exit.

Access to the second row is easy. Comfort depends on the size of the occupant—the cushions are a bit short, and tall people find the seating a bit low. Volkswagen decided to pass on Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go seats, which is a blow to functionality. The second-row seats have to be removed to make more space, and since they weigh a good 40 kg, that involves considerable effort.

Access to the 60/40-split third-row bench is through the middle aisle between the second row, and it isn’t easy. Like almost all third-row seats, this one is unsuitable for anyone over average height.

Cargo capacity is good even with the rear bench in place thanks to the space afforded by the compartment into which it folds, and very good when the seat is folded into the floor. Removing the second-row seats expands cargo space dramatically. They also can be folded forward, after removing the head restraints, to obtain more space without the hassle of extracting the seats, but cargo capacity is not as impressive. There are no anchors for a vertical cargo net.

Convenience and safety

Cabin finish is better than in the Chrysler versions but not as impeccable as in most true Volkswagens. The quality of materials is better, too, but some of the plastics look cheap. Sound isolation is perfectible, especially where road noise is concerned. There are plenty of storage spaces.

Photo: Volkswagen Displays and controls are well displayed and located, except for the windshield wiper control, placed on the turn-signal lever. The climate control system is efficient, but its control buttons are small. The rear wiper has only an intermittent cycle, which is insufficient. The removable centre console in the two most expensive models is practical, and interior lighting is efficient. The mirror control and glove compartment are not illuminated at night.

Safety features include four airbags (two front and two head curtain), four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, seven head restraints and good low-beam headlights. The headlights lack range and brightness in the high-beam position. Visibility is good in all directions, except to the rear when backing up.

In U.S. government safety tests, the Routan scored five stars out of five for front-occupant protection in a frontal impact and for all occupants in a side crash. It earned four stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Routan a “Good” rating, its highest, for driver protection in an off-centre front collision, and for all-occupant protection in side impact. It received a Marginal rating (IIHS’s second worst) for rear-collision protection.

Engine and transmission

The 4.0-litre V6 engine outputs 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, which allows the Routan to move along smartly. Acceleration and pickup are lively and practically instantaneous. Though noisy in acceleration, this engine is very well adapted to the vehicle. It meets Tier2/Bin5 emissions control standards.

The six-speed automatic transmission derives from the four-speed that equips several Chrysler products. It is well geared and functions very smoothly overall. Unfortunately, it does not allow you to start off in second gear.

On the road

The Routan’s suspension tuning is firmer than that of its Chrysler relatives, which results in relatively well-felt reactions on some uneven pavement. Overall, the ride is comfortable and the vehicle remains composed, on both corrugated and lumpy surfaces. Road holding is good for this type of vehicle.

The power steering is heavy, especially at low speed. It is also stable, precise and relatively quick. It transmits a bit of road feedback, and its turning circle is small. Braking is powerful, with good fade resistance.

Inspection

In an inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we saw that the Routan’s sturdy platform is timidly treated against corrosion, unlike real Volkswagen products. The climate system lines are routed above the exhaust pipe and may not last long. The parking brake cables are poorly protected, as are several electrical connections and a computer placed in front of the left front wheel. The overhead camshafts of the 4.0-litre engine are belt driven.

Conclusion

Volkswagen has chosen a strange time to introduce a minivan, with sales in this segment fading quite rapidly. The Routan is also definitely more a Chrysler than a Volkswagen, but up to a point it can meet the expectations of Volkswagen enthusiasts thanks to slightly better handling dynamics.

PROS: comfortable front seating, roadability, roominess, smooth transmission, small turning circle, well-adapted engine

CONS: heavy steering, average rear-seat comfort, perfectible soundproofing, wide doorsills, several components poorly protected, wiper lever needs work.

2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN

Engine: 24-valve, 4.0-litre V6 Horsepower: 251 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 259 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm Transmission: 6-speed automatic Suspension: independent/solid axle Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 307.8 cm Length: 514.3 cm Width: 195.3 cm (without mirrors) Height: 175 cm Weight: 2,096 kg Tires: 225/65R16; 225/65R17 Maximum towing capacity: 1,633 kg Airbags: dual front and two curtain airbags

Fuel consumption: Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 12.2 L/100 km (23 mpg) Highway: 7.9 L/100 km (36 mpg) Test result: 11.6 L/100 km (25 mpg) Test temperature: 16°C to 30°C

CO2 emissions: 4,944 kg/20,000 km

Fuel tank capacity: 76 litres

Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline

Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 8.5 seconds 60–100 km/h: 6.2 seconds

Competition: Chevrolet Uplander, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona, Nissan Quest, Pontiac Montana SV6, Toyota Sienna

Warranty: ‚ Full basic coverage: 4 years/80,000 km ‚ Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km ‚ Surface corrosion: 4 years/80,000 km ‚ Perforation damage: 5 years/160,000 km ‚ Emissions control system: 4 years/80,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system).

Factory replacement parts: ‚ Rear bumper: $1,152 ‚ Front brake disc: $84 ‚ Brake pads: $110 ‚ Muffler: $461 ‚ Front fender: $209

Price according to trim level: ‚ Trendline: $27,975 ‚ Comfortline: $33,975 ‚ Highline: $39,975 ‚ Execline: $49,975

Main options: Entertainment package I: $1,800 (Trendline, Comfortline) Entertainment package II: $2,400 (Highline) Navigation system: $2,800 (Highline)

Price as tested: $39,975

Freight and preparation: $1,575

Dealers: Quebec: 41 Canada: 129

© June 2009. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec