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Volkswagen Routan - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Volkswagen Routan ranks 7 out of 8 Minivans. This ranking is based on our analysis of 11 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Routan, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Volkswagen has teamed with the Chrysler Group to produce the new-for-2009 Routan. This comfortable and attractive minivan delivers a pleasant ride.

The Routan is a seven-seater that shares the same platform as the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. While many reviewers feel that the Routan is an upgrade over its domestic predecessors in some respects, they acknowledge that it faces tough competition from Honda and Toyota, which dominate the class. "Taken as a whole, the Routan is the most desirable of the three minivans sharing this platform -- provided you don't need the trick seats. If Honda, Kia and Toyota weren't in this space, the Routan would rule. But they are, so it doesn't," says The Truth About Cars, referring to the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and the Kia Sedona.

The Routan is a solid choice for those looking to for a bit of style and performance in a class not known for either attribute. For more value-conscious buyers, consider the Kia Sedona with its wide array of standard equipment. Needless to say, anyone in the market for a minivan should also take a hard look at the class-leading Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna for their combination of comfort and overall quality.

The Routan comes in three trims: the S base model, the SE and the loaded SEL. The Volkswagen Routan is all-new for 2009.

• "It gets VW-ish sheetmetal and a dedicated interior and rides on an exclusive suspension, but those who expect the Routan to be more Chrysler than Volkswagen are not too wide off the mark. Think of it as a Volkswagen interpreted by Chrysler." -- Car and Driver
• "Philosophically, though, the Chryswagen is kind of on thin ice. While it won't be sold outside of North America, the justification for its existence is awfully meager. VW's stock-in-trade has typically been enthusiasm and innovation, and badge-engineering a less-than-perfect Detroit product for quick and dirty sales numbers doesn't fall under either of those headings. When all is said and done, the Routan might look and feel like a Volkswagen, but that doesn't mean that it is one." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Although tardy to the minivan scene, the new Routan does give Volkswagen a vehicle with first-rate mechanical credentials, distinctive visual character and the kind of comfort and convenience elements that should help boost its overall appeal to anyone who is considering a minivan purchase." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "The Routan is priced about a thousand dollars more model for the model than the Chrysler Town & Country. It has a much nicer interior than the Chrysler, but lacks the Chrysler's innovative seating features. Like the Chrysler, the Routan is a great rolling living room for families." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Volkswagen doesn't have illusions of being a major player in the minivan market, but the Routan will give current VW owners, whose families have outgrown the Jetta or Passat, a choice within the Volkswagen brand. It adds choice for anyone needing a minivan. A minivan is not exactly an aspirational vehicle; it's one bought out of necessity, but that's no reason to give up a pleasant driving experience. The Routan is at the top of the minivan heap, from a vehicle dynamics viewpoint, and still has all of the amenities expected in the class." -- CNET

Routan Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)

Reviewers find the Routan delivers more-than-acceptable performance for its class. "Fine, you won't be trading in your sporty VW GTI for a VW Routan minivan, but the 2009 Volkswagen Routan does a good job of reducing body lean in corners and providing a firm and controlled ride that's still comfortable," says MyRide. Read More

Routan Exterior - NA

The Routan borrows element from its Chrysler counterparts, but adds some of its own personal flavor to the mix. MyRide says, "From the outside, the 2009 VW Routan minivan looks familiar, while not directly mimicking the style of the Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town and Country. The nose is different, but so is the rear of the van, which makes all the difference to our eyes." Read More

Routan Interior - 7.7 (Good)

Critics tend to like interior of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan as a whole. "The seats are typically VW supportive, and most of the interior textures resemble those found in a Passat, not a Pacifica," says Automobile Magazine. Read More

Routan Safety - 8.7 (Very Good)

The Routan receives excellent marks in most crash tests conducted by the federal government and insurance industry. Read More

Routan Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Volkswagen Routan reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Volkswagen covers the Routan with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and their Carefree Maintenance program. Read More