Yes, there must be a good reason for Volkswagen to have embarked on this adventure with Chrysler. From the onset, this deal seemed rotten, or sketchy at best. Why was, and is, a car manufacturer famous for its people-movers (aka hotboxes such as the Type II Bus) striking a deal with the maker of the best-known and bestselling minivan? To get its logo on one? Why else but to combine VW and minivan on North American roads and to brand the combination in people's psyche?
The media has not been very kind to the Routan, myself included. That may have more to do with the fact that the Routan is not a VW, first and foremost. People in general don't like to be duped or made fools of, and badge-engineering is something that is very passé and even frowned upon. Yet, here we have in 2011 a VW-Chrysler minivan in today's modern Volkswagen showrooms. Why?
Chrysler with VW icing
Before I go there, I must address the 2011 Volkswagen Routan. From the front, it's all VW. The familial signature grille is all anybody needs these days to recognize a VW. The headlights help here as well, and the taillights are reminiscent of other products from Wolfsburg. From there on in, it's all Chrysler which works out well enough as the Grand Caravan/Town&Country pair are honestly handsome.
On board, VW tweaked the essentials such as the gauges, the steering wheel and the seat styling. The remainder is all Chrysler and Mercedes. There are still some signs left behind from the old days of DaimlerChrysler such as the power window switches and key fob. Chrysler revamped the cabins of all of its vehicles recently, and so the Routan got an appreciable interior facelift at the same time. Fit and finish are good, seat comfort is good, even the versatility is good. It is, after all, a Grand Caravan - which is also good.
Despite the bad rap minivans have, the Routan will never leave you wanting more where cabin versatility is concerned. Actually, that's not entirely true. The cruel joke that plagues the Volkswagen Routan is the fact that it does not get Chrysler's patented super-intelligent Stow n' Go seating. I had forgotten and was thoroughly disappointed to be reminded of this fact when I found myself trying to load a large object.
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| Essentially, my conclusion is to pass on the Routan, lease a Grand Caravan, and come back to Volkswagen in 24 months. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
The media has not been very kind to the Routan, myself included. That may have more to do with the fact that the Routan is not a VW, first and foremost. People in general don't like to be duped or made fools of, and badge-engineering is something that is very passé and even frowned upon. Yet, here we have in 2011 a VW-Chrysler minivan in today's modern Volkswagen showrooms. Why?
Chrysler with VW icing
Before I go there, I must address the 2011 Volkswagen Routan. From the front, it's all VW. The familial signature grille is all anybody needs these days to recognize a VW. The headlights help here as well, and the taillights are reminiscent of other products from Wolfsburg. From there on in, it's all Chrysler which works out well enough as the Grand Caravan/Town&Country pair are honestly handsome.
On board, VW tweaked the essentials such as the gauges, the steering wheel and the seat styling. The remainder is all Chrysler and Mercedes. There are still some signs left behind from the old days of DaimlerChrysler such as the power window switches and key fob. Chrysler revamped the cabins of all of its vehicles recently, and so the Routan got an appreciable interior facelift at the same time. Fit and finish are good, seat comfort is good, even the versatility is good. It is, after all, a Grand Caravan - which is also good.
Despite the bad rap minivans have, the Routan will never leave you wanting more where cabin versatility is concerned. Actually, that's not entirely true. The cruel joke that plagues the Volkswagen Routan is the fact that it does not get Chrysler's patented super-intelligent Stow n' Go seating. I had forgotten and was thoroughly disappointed to be reminded of this fact when I found myself trying to load a large object.