2011 Volkswagen Routan SE
The Routan SE is much nicer inside than the Dodge, and I prefer the styling over that of the Chrysler. The faux leather seating was thoroughly convincing -- I had no idea it was imitation hide until I read the spec sheet. For $35K including two rear video screens, a 30-gigabyte hard drive, and touch-screen navigation, this van is hard to beat. You lose the Stow 'n' Go seats of the Dodge, but honestly, I'd never miss them. The captains chairs in the Routan (and other vans) are significantly more substantial than the Dodge's folding seats. I've removed the second-row seats from my family's Honda Odyssey maybe half a dozen times in nine years. This much-ballyhooed feature is pretty overrated in my book.
In short, I think the Routan is an improved version of the Chrysler vans -- nicer than the Grand Caravan, more tastefully styled than the Town & Country, and I would choose the Routan SE or SEL over either of them. The Routan is also nicer inside than a Toyota Sienna, but if a similarly featured Odyssey is in the same price ballpark, that'd be the van for me.
Matt Tierney,Art Director
Like its Chrysler and Dodge counterparts, the VW is a perfectly decent family hauler with lots of handy options such as power-opening sliding doors and hatch, navigation, rear-seat entertainment, and so forth. Its Volkswagen-ness is highly dubious, but the VW-specific dashboard components are fairly attractive looking, in my opinion. I can't say the same for the head- and taillamps, which are strangely proportioned and, to my eye, make this the least attractive of the current bunch of Chrysler-built minivans.
The fact that the Routan received the much-improved new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 for the 2011 model year seems like evidence that the relationship between Chrysler and VW is extremely amicable and maybe could live on past the current generation of minivans.
Rusty Blackwell,Copy Editor
We've previously discussed what the Routan is not (a true successor to the venerable Eurovans and Microbuses), so let's talk about what it is: a stylish alternative to the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan that, like them, was treated to a few upgrades for 2011.
Although the Chrysler and Dodge models receive extensive makeovers for the new model year, the Routan looks much the same as it did when it first launched in 2008. The most significant revision occurs in the engine compartment, where the old 3.8- and 4.0-liter six-cylinders have made way for Chrysler's new 283-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. As before, the Routan's unique suspension tuning strikes a nice balance between sporty and supple, although I'd be interested in sampling an SEL model, which receives load-leveling rear air suspension as standard equipment for 2011.
Unlike Matt, I find the Routan's cabin -- which is unchanged from previous years -- in need of an overhaul. Volkswagen's van has always carried a little more style than its Chrysler cousins, but the Routan's interior lacks the soft-touch materials added to 2011 T&C and Grand Caravan. Those who want to occasionally walk from the front row to the remainder of the van will likely prefer the Routan, as it does not have the tall, integrated center console found in the Dodge and Chrysler vans. Those obsessed with safety will likely appreciate the fact that a driver's knee air bag, along with front side-impact air bags, are now standard on every Routan trim.
Speaking of trim, VW has cut the lineup down to three (four, if you count the SEL with Navigation as its own bespoke level). That does limit the ways one can spec out a new Routan, but buyers can always cross-shop the Grand Caravan and Town & Country for a additional flexibility with regards to content and pricing.
