Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen has a long history of building small vans. There was the Microbus, of course, as well as the more recent Vanagon and Eurovan. However, the "hippie van" was always just that, and the later vans were just too funky to catch on with a mainstream audience. Consequently, VW has never really had a competitive modern minivan. In hopes of rectifying this situation, the company introduced the Volkswagen Routan.

The Routan was actually a rebadged and reworked version of Chrysler's minivan. Its general shape didn't stray far from the Chrysler formula, but the Routan's redesigned front and rear suggested a Teutonic makeover. In the Routan's first two years on the market, the cabin had a more upscale feel than the Chrysler vans, including more supportive seating and a partially reworked dash featuring VW's signature red and blue backlighting. Below deck, Volkswagen engineers retuned the suspension for a more refined and responsive driving experience.

As such, we found the Volkswagen Routan to be more desirable than its Chrysler siblings in these early years. However, by 2011, those siblings had implemented a series of changes that actually made them more similar to the Routan, and that previous advantage Volkswagen enjoyed was largely erased. Ultimately, the Routan was discontinued after four years of production.

No matter what year you're looking at, it's hard to make a case for buying what was essentially a Chrysler minivan from Volkswagen. Not only does Chrysler's spotty quality record remain a concern over the long haul, but competing used minivans like the Odyssey and Sienna are better buys in most respects.

Most Recent Volkswagen Routan
The Volkswagen Routan was introduced for 2009 and produced through 2012. A seven-passenger minivan, it was available in S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium trim levels.

Base S models included 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, second-row captain's chairs, a foldaway third-row split bench seat, a touchscreen-operated audio system and the usual assortment of modern conveniences. Stability control and a full complement of airbags were also standard.

The SE added larger alloy wheels, power side doors, a power driver seat, "leatherette" seating trim, heated front seats, rear sunshades and Bluetooth. The SEL got you tri-zone climate control, leather seating, a rearview camera, heated second-row seats and an iPod interface. The SEL Premium added a variety of luxury items like xenon headlights, keyless ignition/entry, driver memory settings and an upgraded sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system and a hard-drive-based navigation system were available on all but the base trim.

In its first two years on the market, the Routan S and SE trim levels were powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that produced 197 horsepower, while the SEL featured a stronger (and, surprisingly, more economical) 4.0-liter V6 that put out 253 hp. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive were standard. For 2011 and '12, every Routan was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that produced 283 hp.

Anyone who has spent time in a Town & Country or Grand Caravan will instantly recognize the Routan's switchgear, dash-mounted shifter and basic overall design. The materials quality moved closer to that of its Chrysler siblings, but still remained a bit disappointing compared to most of Volkswagen's other models. The Volkswagen Routan version also lacked the Stow 'n Go second-row seats, but at least its conventional seats were nicely shaped. The third-row bench folded flat into the floor, while the second-row bench or captain's chairs could be removed for serious hauling duty.

In reviews, we found the Routan's original base engine to be sluggish and overmatched -- the SEL's larger V6 (and the later 3.6-liter V6) offered much livelier performance, and so equipped, the Routan was one of the fleetest minivans available. The Routan's ride and handling were a cut above the contemporary Chrysler minivans, but the van's overall dynamics still weren't segment-leading.

There were other less significant changes. For 2009 and '10, the base S came standard with an uncomfortable second-row bench seat that was later replaced with standard captain's chairs in upper trims. These early years also lacked the Routan's standard Chrysler-sourced touchscreen stereo interface and available Garmin navigation system.

User Reviews:

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  Please contact VW 1-800-822-8987 about your Routan porblems - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By walnutcreekvw - December 22 - 6:01 pm

  Your Routan is not a lemon. I used to think the same thing until mine shut down while driving...again! VW replaced our control module a couple of years ago, but the van loses power while driving. Its really scary! We had our rotors replaced as well. They still shake. They told us it was from the weight of the vehicle. This van is not safe. I called VW today to start a case. Does a family have to get injured/killed before they resolve this issue? Call VW and start a case so we can have these issues addressed before someone gets hurt.1-800-822-8987

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  Unsafe, Unreliable, Multiple Repair Issues - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By usmcwifesocal - November 4 - 3:11 pm

  Puchased van in Aug.09. Delivered t us with a broken antenna (replaced, and then replaced again a year later due to rusting). Rear DVD screen went black sreplaced. Seat covers came apart at seams, window shade fraued, headliner panel and AC vent came loose, arm rest cracked (replaced all), windshield wipers stopped randomly several times (never fixed -failed to replicate), windows and doors failed numerous occasions (3 year old sons hand was caught in door when pinch guard failed and manually had to be pried off of him) -problem unresolved), brake pads and rotors all around have had issues (back pads were recalled, rotors machined 2x in 1 year, VW now says we must pay $1000 to replace all)

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  Dont Make My Mistake. - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Gregg - May 5 - 10:56 pm

  Not impressed, what a mistake. The transmission shifts way too often. The around town mileage is horrible. (11) & to top it all off the dealership cat fix it properly because its actually a Chrysler. If you want a Town & Country then buy one at least Chrysler can fix it for you without having to run to the other dealership to obtain parts.

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  A Dodge with VW emblem - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Kfry - June 20 - 7:50 pm

  Purchased for cross country trip and move to Hawaii. When the vehicle arrived at the dealership (we ordered it to our specs) we were excited. That didnt last long as the steering pulled left. Dealer tried to fix but unsuccessful and we were stuck with it pulling slightly left (dont take your hands off the wheel!) The drive cross country went well. In Hawaii we started have transmission problems. We took it to the dealer 4 times and had the trans replaced twice. It seems to work now. Horrible gas mileage. How can VW tout this van as one of their products. I have owned 2 other VW and loved them. This was the biggest purchase mistake I have made. If I wanted a Dodge I would have gotten one.

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  Dazed and Confused - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By DazedConfused - April 15 - 4:10 pm

  The 3.8L engine is horribly underpowered and the transmission is too anxious to find a home in 6th gear. Trying to accelerate to get on the freeway leaves me depressed as I watch the fuel gauge race to the left faster than the car gains speed. The ride is smooth and the entertainment features make a ride of any duration tolerable. The interior features are pleasant and the exterior looks eerily similar to the Dodge and Chrysler.

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  Worst Purchase of my life - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By becca - May 23 - 10:00 am

  This minivan is a lemon! Always at the dealership with something wrong. I had it for one year and already had 15,000 dollars worth of warrenty work. The transmission is slipping and the dealership says it is due to one tire being lower than the other? Yet when I explain that I pulled out of a gas station and the van would not shift gears until I pulled over and shut off to get it to shift in gear? Told me that this is a soccer mom van and not good for all the wear in tear of driving a hour each way to work 5 days a week. They also stated I should have purchased the Honda minivan it can stand the driving wear and tear? I wish I could get out of this car! What a lemon!

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  Up In Flames - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By insrtg - February 18 - 11:35 pm

  My Volkswagon Routan 2009 was serviced back in March 2013 - transmission & power steering. When the service was completed at a VW service center, I picked up the car, drove home the short distance, and parked in my driveway. The next morning while at a traffic light, the car started to go on fire from the engine and eventually burst into flames. Thankfully no one was hurt, but I dont believe it was a coincidence that it happened a few hours since the car was picked up from the service at Legend Audi Volkswagon in Amityville. Aside from that incident, the car had numerous issues throughout the 4 years, i.e. brakes, glitchy doors, glitchy radio, and recalled parts. Terrible car.

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  DONT buy a routon, BIG safety issue. - 2010 Volkswagen Routan
  By BoMom - October 11 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased the Routon SEL premium from jersey village Volkswagan in houston TX. I paid $37,000 for there top of the line routon. The dvd screens in the routon block the entire view from your rear view mirror,it is a huge safety hazard. Frankly this vehicle needs to be recalled before there are numerous accidents asssociated with this major design flaw.The dealership which is owned by sonic automotive even offered to have dvd screens put into the headrests, so they obviously know about there safety issue.Dont make my mistake. Buy another brand of mini van stay away from the routon. There is numerous amounts of problems with this vehichle and the one I mentioned was just one.

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  Terrible vehicle - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By kmcintosh78 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has not gone 3 weeks without going in for warranty work. Driver side window would not close, took VW 5 times to fix it. Passenger side doing the same. Rear wiper assembly fell off. Passenger side mirror does not work. Transmission is sloppy, lunges forward at low speeds. brakes and rotors have been replaced 2 times. Stay away from this vehicle, it is junk. It is s fight to get VW to replace the vechile, since it went in 3 weeks after we got it and has not gone 3 weeks without going in for repair. Go with a Honda or Toyota or Ford.

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  2009 Routan Nightmare! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Riri - March 8 - 9:52 pm

  I was excited to buy my 1st VW, but sadly lost all trust in VW shortly after owning a Routan. The Routan is very unsafe to be on the road. Corporate doesnt stand behind their poorly made products, and this minivan has broke me due to constant major monthly repairs. Most repairs have involved the braking system (replaced master cylinder twice, abs unit & flushed brake line). Wheel barrings all needed replacement & problems with engine (censor replaced & another major part that I forget what it was now..Ive lost track at this point). In the last 2 1/2 years its required 11 major repairs that have cost me over $6,400! Its the most Ridiculous & UNSAFE vehicle Ive ever owned! I cant wait to get out from owning a VW.