The hefty mill is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which features an electronic manual-mode actuated through lateral movement of the dash-mounted somewhat low-rent feeling shift lever.
The sophisticated autobox ensures that a wide range of gearing is available to keep the engine operating efficiently; however efficient the big V6 is not when it comes to fuel economy. The onboard computer in my tester registered a steep 17L/100km of city driving, and that's rather disappointing.
The Routan is limited to a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration, so there's no heading into the backcountry that was so popular with all-wheel-drive versions of the Vanagon.
On the road Routan-style
All full-size minivans are essentially big boxes to drive, and the Routan is no exception. In the realm of minivans though, it holds its own with plenty of power under foot and handling qualities as good as they get in the world of minivans.
It took a few unintended tire-spin launches before I adapted to the instant hit of power that the aggressive throttle-mapping sends forth when the gas pedal is blunted with a heavy right foot. Once this tendency was under control, so were my departures.
VW's re-engineering of the suspension is supposed to introduce a Euro-feel to the Routan's handling characteristics. The setup felt slightly firmer to me than that found beneath the Town & Country and Caravan minivans, and, I would agree that the calibration does improve handling over the vans bearing a Chrysler symbol.
Despite the greater cornering athleticism of the Routan, its ride quality doesn't seem to suffer appreciably; it's a smooth, slightly mushy experience but fairly composed overall. An immediate, easily modulated brake response adds to the composure and security of the drive.
Despite what seems to be limitless space in a full-size minivan, I found legroom up front to be less than expected. There was sufficient space for my limbs but I thought those with heads closer to sun than mine might feel somehow subjugated in the driver's seat.
The sophisticated autobox ensures that a wide range of gearing is available to keep the engine operating efficiently; however efficient the big V6 is not when it comes to fuel economy. The onboard computer in my tester registered a steep 17L/100km of city driving, and that's rather disappointing.
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| All full-size minivans are essentially big boxes to drive. |
The Routan is limited to a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration, so there's no heading into the backcountry that was so popular with all-wheel-drive versions of the Vanagon.
On the road Routan-style
All full-size minivans are essentially big boxes to drive, and the Routan is no exception. In the realm of minivans though, it holds its own with plenty of power under foot and handling qualities as good as they get in the world of minivans.
It took a few unintended tire-spin launches before I adapted to the instant hit of power that the aggressive throttle-mapping sends forth when the gas pedal is blunted with a heavy right foot. Once this tendency was under control, so were my departures.
VW's re-engineering of the suspension is supposed to introduce a Euro-feel to the Routan's handling characteristics. The setup felt slightly firmer to me than that found beneath the Town & Country and Caravan minivans, and, I would agree that the calibration does improve handling over the vans bearing a Chrysler symbol.
Despite the greater cornering athleticism of the Routan, its ride quality doesn't seem to suffer appreciably; it's a smooth, slightly mushy experience but fairly composed overall. An immediate, easily modulated brake response adds to the composure and security of the drive.
Despite what seems to be limitless space in a full-size minivan, I found legroom up front to be less than expected. There was sufficient space for my limbs but I thought those with heads closer to sun than mine might feel somehow subjugated in the driver's seat.
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| Despite what seems to be limitless space in a full-size minivan, I found legroom up front to be less than expected. |