Greetings

“From Volkswagen “In an effort to create a versatile vehicle that would provide space and cargo room for our customers and their growing families while maintaining the unique spirit of Volkswagen, we teamed up with Chrysler to develop the Routan. When the consideration was made for a joint venture for the new mini-van project, it only made sense to team with the company that originated and perfected the mini-van. While there are features and components on the Routan that are comparable to the Chrysler mini-vans, this vehicle is distinctly Volkswagen. The drivetrain is a Volkswagen design that allows the Routan to handle and ride like our other vehicles. “ Un-quote

… This sounds to me as a big LIE, features that are comparable , gee they ARE Chrysler parts, nice way to ‘tick’ off a prospective customer.

I do not understand that certain things are NOT LED (Tail lights) and HATE to see the name CRY ….yuck under the hood of a supposedly 100% VW car.

VW made in my opinion a huge mistake and they are paying for it. I was, yes past tense, very interested as we have a baby on its way and the features would have been perfect, even was thinking of maybe getting two, one for work one for home.
About the commercials with Brooks, well that must be a European type of humor and should have never been applied on a US market, this is for sure, or as someone else posted, indeed have her use a German accent. Anyways even for me that commercial is so that should say enough; I understand where that humor is coming from but still…

As much as I like the features it has, I might now look into a other Van, unless they would export the TOURAN from overseas with all the different engine choices, oh the price should also be cheaper even with all he features in it if they want to get anywhere with a true minivan concept. Why when VW has German engineering, do they not have the hybrid or electric or hydrogen or LPG or DIESEL TDI type engines? The much higher MPG numbers would be also a big(ger) selling point, now the poor MPG, which is obsolete and OLD, according Law cars should be starting at 35MPG and not 17/26 when wachen SIE auf Volkswagen? Bring us and show us what VW is made of, not a poor cop of something already BAD and non Deutsch. Just some things that are on my mind. Sincerely and respectfully, Ameridutchman

ITS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What we have to keep in mind is that the current generation Caravan was conceived during that dark era in Chrysler’s recent history that resulted in other atrocities such as the Sebring/Avenger twins and I would not be at all surprised to hear that there is a skunk works team working on the Caravan as well. Who knows, if VW views the Routan as more than just a one miss wonder maybe they could even lend a hand?

I don’t get the point of the routan.
Yeah, it’s based on the best minivan out there, but I think VW drivers would rather have a real VW.

Why not make a minivan version of the Tuareg?

Thunder Chicken: “A rebadged Dodge wasn’t a hit at VW dealerships? Really?” My sentiments exactly.

iluvamcars: “better styling” is a matter of taste. T&C buyers are probably unaware that there’s a VW version. Not sure that would make a difference anyway.

johnnycanuck, Get Real: Brooke Shields is looking better than she has in a long time. She even beats Burns and Burke!

winnipegjets” I don’t really care about the minivan segment all that much.” You’re not alone.

jayjc08: the Honda Odyssey is barley worse than the Chrysler triplets. The Sienna performs better than either, but the quality …

Get Real: the commercials are cool.

idrinorbarsaku: “the honda engine is undeniably more reliable!”
yeah, and OJ is undeniably not guilty!

jayjc08:

1 Chrysler triplets
2 Odyssey
3 Quest
4 Hyundai twins
5 Sienna

Mazda5 is preferable to any of them, for my tastse.

leftwingagenda: this is no heap of crap

RaineMan: I’d take a VW over any faux-luxury toyonda. Especially the CC.

A4: “you can easily end up spending $35,000 on an Accord, yes an ACCORD.”
yeah, those are just the H-accords.
The a-accords will put you out $40k.

bcjohnso99:

“The real question is why anyone would by the Routan when Caravan’s are being advertised with $10,000+ in discounts. ”

good point.

If you knew the prices in “good old Germany”, you will get a heart attack.

For the EOS:
The smallest base version (1.4TSI, 90kW, 122HP) costs 27150 Euro which means about 35000 USD.
Then there is a ~700 Euro (~1000 USD) charge for transport from manufacturer to the local dealer.
And of course there is no gas (only about 2-3 gallons) in the car

I don´t know exactly what´s included in US cars in the base version (radio, air condition, metallic paint….?) but I think here in Germany is nearly NOTHING included (ok, there are 4 seats, a steering wheel, 4 rims with tires included – but nothing else…).
Eg. MP3 radio? -> 630 Euro
metallic paint? -> 485 Euro
I even wonder why I don´t have to pay for the air in the tires.

Last time I checked, thats not “beating” them on price.

congrats, you only got one correct.
you were OVER $12,000 off on the price of the Routan
pretty much $12,000 off on the price of the CC
$7,000 off on the Beetle
$6,000 off on the Eos
and $9,000 off on the Touareg.

Dont bitch at me about options either, because yes, options add to the price of a car, and yes, you can easily end up spending $35,000 on an Accord, yes an ACCORD. Personally id MUCH rather drive a gorgeous CC with award winning interior, award winning 2.0T engine, and much more standard features than anything in its class. You can spend upwards of $40,000 easily on an Acura TSX as well. REALLY?
Why dont you do your research before you bash anything that isnt made by a bunch of japs.

Let’s take a look at some of their offerings.

New Beetle: $25,000
Passat: $28,000
Eos: $38,000??!!??
CC: $39,000
Touareg: $48,000
Routan: $38,000

Exactly who are they trying to compete with here? GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota all beat them on price… and their quality isn’t enough to put them on par with premium brands like Lexus, Caddy, or Acura.

The Town & Country, which is the exact same thing as Routan, stickers for $2000 less. Plus with the domestic manufacturers you can always get low or 0% financing and tons of rebates. You’d have to be a fool to walk down to VW and buy a Routan.

don’t go comparing a stock dodge caravan to a routan. compare a chrysler to it because the dodges use an even cheaper looking color for their interiors. compare a loaded beige interior of a chrysler to a loaded beige interior of a routan. you won’t notice much of a change.

But hey, that’s right. You get what you paid for in those minivans. Only minivans I wouldn’t dare consider- Toyota Sienna and the Kia/Hyundai twins. Personally, I’d go for the Quest, but that’s just my opinion.

the base honda odyssey v6, a 3.5, has 244hp with 16/23 mpg,
the routan has a 3.8 with only 197hp and somehow manages to get 16/23mpg.
the odyssey has a max towing capacity of 3500 compared to only 2000 from them.
the tranny is more reliable in the honda even though they had some problems in their first year.
the honda engine is undeniably more reliable!
the overall quality of the interior is better in the honda.
the steering wheel in the dodge/chrysler/routan feels really cheap and light. there is so much plastic around the key areas where your hands come in contact
the seats(especially the back), are very uncomfortable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we have been driving a chrysler town/country for a little over 3000 miles(rental) and it doesn’t even come close to our 2007 odyssey. the 4.0 in it sounds like a tractor’s engine! driving a odyssey again feels like driving on a cloud of air….but, i would NEVER buy a minivan again ,not even a honda

the thing i was most disappointed with in the routan was when we opened the engine up. there was stickers and covers with chrysler logos everywhere; on the hoses, lids, etc. how can you even call that a vw when its not!

and ..
VW executives get paid for stupid vehicle names and more stupid commercials ??? Paid money ??

So VW replaced their old VW Van that sold very few models here in the U.S., saw the need for a minivan and got their hands on a Chrysler. And just to let you know, the Routan has an almost entirely different interior with the same layout.

Lastly… the Honda Oddyssey is less reliable than this “Dodge” (talking about the current minivans). They’ve had transmission and electrical issues. The front doors unlatch in the case of an accident in the 2005 models. The Chrysler gets better fuel economy, room and price (Odyssey can go up to 40k).

Like it or not, the Caravan has proven itself over so many years, and a segment leader in many ways.

Our family has had 2 Caravans in my lifetime and they both turned out to one of the more reliable vehicles. For less than 2/3 (and up) the cost of a Honda Odyssey(which I know is a good minivan) I’d rather by a Caravan and pocket the rest.

Just my 2 cents!

BTW, for those of you who may not know, VW reliability numbers and quality numbers are not any higher than Chrysler if you believe in JD Powers and Consumer Reports figure.

About the only good product Chrysler makes anymore…”

whats so impressive about it?? the quality is the same in the chrysler because they are chrysler parts, not vw parts. What makes this the best minivan on the market, because it sure isn’t resale value, reliability, engine, transmission, or interior quality. could you possibly be talking about the suspension because i doubt people who are looking for a minivan are willing to sacrifice ride quality to get a stiffer ride with less body roll when they mostly care about their child in the back seat and that long car ride.

Come to think of it, didn’t VW and Ford do a minivan together in Europe?

Johnny, I already offered the same. She said Andre Agassi has a better serve or maybe it was service….