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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  Cannot stand this van - 2011 Volkswagen Routan
  By vanluvea - May 1 - 7:36 pm

  This is my first minivan and I bought it used to save some bucks. However, I completely regret my purchase. My main complaint on this thing is interior quality. It seems like everything is taped together. Both front seats creak, creaks in the pillars, rattle in the dash and right sliding door rattles. Not to mention the windows rattle when they are down. The suspension on this thing is definitely stiffer which is fine but when the interior is built so poorly it easily shows. The worst part is the Caravan seems better by a small margin. I am ditching this thing for an Odyssey and willing to lose some cash on my trade in. Thats just how much I hate it.

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  Rough Shifting - VW Needs To Fix!!!! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By pj - September 17 - 12:56 am

  I would not buy another because of the shifting issue. The van surges at times when shifting into second gear and downshifting. Reported to VW shortly after driving off the lot - new. NO response from VW NA. They offered to let us trade it for a Touareg but the dealer would not work out a deal that was affordable. In the end we are upset at VW and not thrilled about the sales manager at this site. The van is a nice kid hauler. We plan to keep it for 3 years and then dump it IF VW does not fix the issue.

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  Keep Looking - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By HereWeGo1 - August 26 - 7:46 pm

  This Routan seemed to be a perfect fit. Very stylish, comfortable to ride in and best of all its European, at least until you look a little closer. The truth of the matter is that this van is made in Canada at a Chrysler plant. This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned. At about 700 miles the passenger side headlight began filling with moisture. The automatic doors do whatever they want, whenever they want. I woke up one morning to the side of our new van wide open getting soaked in the pouring rain. The power windows are very sporadic. Sometimes they work, most times they don’t. Our rear bumper began pulling away from the body of the vehicle.

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  Hope its just me or just this van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By man-with-a-van - August 19 - 5:30 pm

  We bought the van cuz it seemed to have more features for the buck and that VW service would be around in case Chrysler wouldnt in the case of caravan/T&C. Only have about 1500 miles but half is because dealer drove it due to dealer trade and going in for service due to "check engine" light on for most of its life thus far. Turns out a transmission seal was compromised (at 1500 miles!!!) and in will be in shop (twice) for total of 16 days. on the bright side, im only 14 days from qualifying for Lemon Law. In addition, shades and interior not put together well, bumper came apart a bit. Hopefully, well be free of issues after it comes back. Fingers crossed.

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  Wish I Hadnt - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By GirlyGirl - May 26 - 5:56 pm

  Bought an SEL with Rear Entertainment to haul family of 6 around. Found it more comfortable than the Odyssey and was swayed by the power rear windows and dual TVs - 2 things Honda doesnt offer. 3rd row is horribly uncomfortable, cheap interior, and RES system is a nightmare to operate. The radio was replaced within 8 months of owning it and it rattles constantly. The gas mileage is awful for a mini- van. Ive tried to get rid of it 2x but with the finance specials VW keeps running, Im stuck.

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  A day didnt go by when something broke! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By trixR4kids - January 9 - 2:43 pm

  It got to the point where virtually every day of ownership meant something else on this barge didnt fall off, break off, peel off or just plain disappear! Electronics were especially "gremlin filled" nightmares. Door locks would stop working, then start locking or unlocking by themselves. Fuel gauge would sit there and pulsate F to E like it was alive! Dash lighting would fade to nothing at night, then come back on brightly until it repeated the blackout thing. After some negotiations, we took it into the dealer and drove out a new Tourag. Then I found out that this thing was built by Chrysler....now I understand!