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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  Cool Family hauler - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By St John - June 9 - 4:36 pm

  We love the Routan or as my wife named it Rudy. So many family frendly features. The style is unique, sporty and not too common. GET the 4.0 v6 w/ 6 speed. The engine is quick and smooth. We get 22 mpg on hwy & 18 city. VW has been great to work with too.

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  like the interior a lot - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By korax - November 25 - 3:40 pm

  We like many of the attributes of our VW Routon SEL. Recently however there has been trouble with the transmission. We again are very happy otherwise, and the repair is covered by the warranty. The kids love the entertainment system and the roominess is fine.

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  almost there in MV leadership - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By sid - October 7 - 3:33 am

  We bought our minivan three months ago. We have put on almost 3500 miles traveling long distances (NJ to NC and back) and we love the ride and ample storage ...our kids love the rear ent system . My gripe is with the design of the DVD player and the environment controls...too hard to read when driving. Yes I know this is a T&C with German suspension however I wish VW had input on enhancing the dash.

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  i love this minivan since i buy it - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Deisi Morales - September 13 - 8:24 pm

  i love my minivan great space nice to ride so far i dont have no mechanical problems but i have a recall about the ignition switch since then twice a week every time wen i start the van all the dash board lights go off like crazy i have to turn it off get the key out open the door and keep trying until it works fine other than that its a good vehicle

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  Lovin it - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By JenniferW - August 14 - 8:26 am

  When we first started looking at minivans, the Routan was not even on out list. After test driving one and reading the reviews, we decided that it would be a good choice for our family. We were so right! It is so much fun to drive, and the passenger comfort is fantastic. The amount of storage space is phenomenal, as well as the drive. The only problem we have had is arguing about who gets to drive it! A great vehicle!

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  Made it Okay to Drive a Mini-Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By boilerup - July 31 - 1:36 pm

  I kept resisting a mini-van, but with 3 young kids it became a must have. I was hesitant to get the Routan because of the re-badged Chrysler persona and just it being the first model year. However, Ive been very impressed so far. My wife and I have owned 6 VWs and we can definitely say it has that VW feel and drive to it. It is a dream to drive versus our other car, a Honda Pilot. We also checked out the Odyssey, but it just didnt have a good driving feel to it and suffers the usual interior rattling weve had on all of our Hondas. So Im glad we went with the Routan. It definitely has more VW to it than I expected.

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  1st time van owner - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By matt - June 21 - 3:23 am

  I have never owned a minivan and was suspect to performance. We have owned this for about a month and love it. Took it on a road trip over a weekend, put about 1000 miles on it and it felt great. Extremely comfortable, and instruments easy to use. Nav system is a must with interactive traffic redirection. Am getting about 15 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.We have had to bring in for service once as condensation was building inside the headlight assembly. The transmission is smooth, but with 6 speeds the gear ratio makes for a lot of shifting.

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  Love this Minivan - 2010 Volkswagen Routan
  By 2010 Routan - March 20 - 9:16 pm

  This is a great minivan for the choices that are out there. I feel like I am driving a van with style over the boring Honda, Toyota, and Kia models. This van offers the space I need with style. I know this van is made by Chrysler, but I like that it has the VW tag on it. Its a good choice for the van options out there. I could not be happier with this car!

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  Trouble free - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By edsel4u - March 1 - 12:30 am

  Bought new June 2009 and now at 33,000 miles we have not had any major malfunctions. Well own the Routan till the wheels fall off. Its an excellent transportation appliance and if people respect the Routan minivan for what it is, and for what it is not, theyll be satisfied too.

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  Outstanding! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By AdamR - February 10 - 1:56 pm

  This van is an eye-catcher! There is not a single thing left to want on this van. Harddrive, folding 3rd row (power), and more storage than a cargo ship. The A/C in the 3rd row is just as good as the front and the fact every door is powered, incredible. If youre looking for a van, and you dont check this out, youve seen nothing but the average. LOOK at this superior vehicle... HOLY SMOKES!