I am thinking of buying one, but there are alot of bad reviews on the Routan, mainly its connection with T&C. Since you drove one, can you tell me about the turning radius, wide or it can make small turns? I am driving an Odessey now, great van. Kitty:)
Correct. I did some research about the VW Routan minivan, and it says that it is manufactured in the RM Chrysler platform. It's interesting of how VW is taking credit of Chysler's designs of its minivans. The design of the VW Routan looks as if VW redesigned the Dodge Caravan. In other words, this is their version.
The chrysler's stow n' go seats they showed you, that was the LX model because the limited model and signature series model has seatbelts on the second row seats' shoulders and the model you showed us had the seatbelts where a regular car has them. Why does the signature series model and limited model have the seatbelts on the second row seats' shoulers? So the seats could turn around and face the third row without the seatbelt being twisted.
VW says it made the mini-van but now credits Chrysler and instead of making a van, they take a Town and Country and make it a little better. And, even more weirder, they say it's "German Engineering"... Strange... At least it's a little better...
@puneet9212 because the Routan is built by Chrysler. VW just has them change a few things (ie grill and tail lights, the headlights looked the same to me) and I don't think the reason behind VW not having Stow and Go because of comfort, I believe it was maybe because that's a Chrysler/Dodge van thing.
Because they know that Town & Country is the best car in general concept, and it is a good thing for Chrysler to get some royalties for licensing VW to produce Routan based on their van. I think that Porshe-VW should work with Chrysler to produce great cars. One could cooperate with another perfectly. This van shows the proof of it!
So does the Routan actually have better quality materials than the Chrysler vans? As in.. better use of plastics that are more pleasing both to the eye and to the touch.
yeah, vw threw this vehicle at the american market just to get a piece of the market.. but really, the suspension of this van makes or breaks the deal for me, it handles like a dream. Chrysler did make a big step forward in looks and feel for the interior. Over all, Chrysler motor and VW interior/handling, i'm sold to the routan, btw i test drove both these vehicles, and I suggest you do the same.
I agree with your assessment re: remaking the vanagon... VW already has the heritage! But the reason VW went this route are because of pure economic reasons. Rebadging an existing car is cheaper than creating a better car from scratch. Routans might not be great cars, but it was an easy way for VW to get into the minivan market. I personally think VW has betrayed a lot of us multi-VW owners with their ideas lately (e.g. North American Compact etc). But they are still better than the big 3.
What are you talking about? Lots of people need to seat 7 or 8 people. We need the third row in our car all the time. Even if you don't need all the seats there is alot more room in a van than a Forester for luggage and stuff. I don't think Subarus aren't really off road vehicles either. More for snow. I guess you could take them off road but I wouldn't. Foresters and minivans don't generally compete.
Oh yea, I definitely understand though. I really shouldn't be judging VW like that though because decisions like rebadging the Town and Country, is really because money is tight. I wouldn't necessarily say that Volkswagen betrayed us volkswagen fans in terms of ideas. At least volkswagen tries to be honest with what they do. Maybe VW will take this existing design they have and make it better for the next model year.
i thought the same to.. but they are smart. it cheaper for the vw thats better inside. on hell an american classic the caravan (i hate saying that) but once vw gets there foot in the door they have plans on offering their engs and trans. and hopefully a tdi. let them get the foot in the door 1st! and this is coming from a 2000 TDI NB and hating chrysler products. (but since the past merger with MB chrysler has got their shit together somewhat)
That’s actually wrong. He’s just covering his ass. The reason why it doesn’t have stowing go in the second row because Chrysler/dodge didn’t want them to have it because it would eat into their sales.
I can't believe that VW relied on Chrysler to make a van. The old rear VW buses were the original mini vans. VW should have kept making them and/ormade a retro VW bus like new beetle. They missed the boat. These are too pricey for the unreliability. Too bad. Someone needs to make a reliable 120-150k 18k minivan. Forget the auto doors, and power seats, heated wipers etc. Just make them, reliable, roomy, safe, and efficient. That's what would save the US auto industry.
It has a market and people would buy it, it's a Town&Country with better build quality and looks. They would make a killing if it had one of their diesels in...
If you are thinking about getting one of these, do your self a favor and rent one for a week. I just got back from Washington where I had one of these for a week. It was a LONG week. The turning radius is HUGE! It steers like a cruise ship in a desert. It had 31K miles on it, it felt like it had 90k. The interior was cheap, the power doors usually worked, the power train was sluggish and jerky and loud. DO NOT BUY THIS VAN. You will regret it within a month.
VW is good, but wow, i think we have moved past the mini van. WaY To late to enter the market, VW should be making a convertible SUV. or SUV with long sedan height. hard to explain.
A majority of you couldn't be more wrong about the two. appearance and spec wise they are very similar... however once VW got the van, they invested 10 million dollars into the quality and more importantly the suspension! drive both back to back and feel the difference. hate to say it like this but the Routan is the better choice, but its only the stepping stone to prepare the public for something better.
The Chrysler looks way far cheaper than it's Volkswagen counterpart. And it shows. Hate that vi-dub name though, sounds like Rootin to me. Which the van is the perfect place to do some indiscretions with the opposite sex.
VW would be much better off than stealing a Chrysler engine. It's basically a chrysler with a VW badge. Shame on you, VW. Offer your own van with a clean diesel.
most chrysler products turn out to be crap after a few years, reason they depreciate in value so rapidly. i would like to know the reason vw decided to take such a risk with it's reputation. even the chrysler engine looks like something from the 1980's.
but toyota is a Japanese car... It is made by Japanese peeps!! Asian cars cannot be compared with a German car even though this one is half Chrysler... (I'm not racist!! I am Asian myself)
The VW Routan is a rebadged Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan. The Routan is made alongside the Chrysler mini-van in Windsor Ontario's (Canada) manufacturing plant. So, is it really a VW?....I think not!! (Research it yourself if in doubt!)
Apparently, VW is a Big 3 Koolade drinker as well. VW had a better chance of recreating the Vanagon, or even the Microbus instead of copypasta of a shit van from a shit company.
but toyota is a Japanese car... eww! It is made by Japanese peeps!! Asian cars cannot be compared with a German car even though this one is half Chrysler... (I'm not racist!! I am Asian myself)
PLEASE GOD PLEASE, SMITE THE ONE WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA! please all vw lovers out there this is graphic and apauling! please do not watch!!!! all respect and love for the name will decrease by about 30% please view with caution!!!! HORRIBLE! shocking! disgusting! PATHETIC!
I am thinking of buying one, but there are alot of bad reviews on the Routan, mainly its connection with T&C. Since you drove one, can you tell me about the turning radius, wide or it can make small turns? I am driving an Odessey now, great van. Kitty:)
Correct. I did some research about the VW Routan minivan, and it says that it is manufactured in the RM Chrysler platform. It's interesting of how VW is taking credit of Chysler's designs of its minivans. The design of the VW Routan looks as if VW redesigned the Dodge Caravan. In other words, this is their version.
The chrysler's stow n' go seats they showed you, that was the LX model because the limited model and signature series model has seatbelts on the second row seats' shoulders and the model you showed us had the seatbelts where a regular car has them. Why does the signature series model and limited model have the seatbelts on the second row seats' shoulers? So the seats could turn around and face the third row without the seatbelt being twisted.
VW says it made the mini-van but now credits Chrysler and instead of making a van, they take a Town and Country and make it a little better. And, even more weirder, they say it's "German Engineering"... Strange... At least it's a little better...
Do you own one? I have questions please :)
How much does a T&C go for in Europe?
where can I buy those 19" wheels
@puneet9212 because the Routan is built by Chrysler. VW just has them change a few things (ie grill and tail lights, the headlights looked the same to me) and I don't think the reason behind VW not having Stow and Go because of comfort, I believe it was maybe because that's a Chrysler/Dodge van thing.
The Cruton?
Because they know that Town & Country is the best car in general concept, and it is a good thing for Chrysler to get some royalties for licensing VW to produce Routan based on their van.
I think that Porshe-VW should work with Chrysler to produce great cars. One could cooperate with another perfectly. This van shows the proof of it!
So does the Routan actually have better quality materials than the Chrysler vans? As in.. better use of plastics that are more pleasing both to the eye and to the touch.
Suspension is different to i believe
yeah, vw threw this vehicle at the american market just to get a piece of the market.. but really, the suspension of this van makes or breaks the deal for me, it handles like a dream. Chrysler did make a big step forward in looks and feel for the interior. Over all, Chrysler motor and VW interior/handling, i'm sold to the routan, btw i test drove both these vehicles, and I suggest you do the same.
I'm an American, but the best Bang for your buck is HONDA hands down.
Yes I guess your right about that. Maybe more mild off road use. Nothing that requires excessive ground clearance either.
I agree with your assessment re: remaking the vanagon... VW already has the heritage! But the reason VW went this route are because of pure economic reasons. Rebadging an existing car is cheaper than creating a better car from scratch. Routans might not be great cars, but it was an easy way for VW to get into the minivan market. I personally think VW has betrayed a lot of us multi-VW owners with their ideas lately (e.g. North American Compact etc). But they are still better than the big 3.
What are you talking about? Lots of people need to seat 7 or 8 people. We need the third row in our car all the time. Even if you don't need all the seats there is alot more room in a van than a Forester for luggage and stuff. I don't think Subarus aren't really off road vehicles either. More for snow. I guess you could take them off road but I wouldn't. Foresters and minivans don't generally compete.
Oh yea, I definitely understand though. I really shouldn't be judging VW like that though because decisions like rebadging the Town and Country, is really because money is tight. I wouldn't necessarily say that Volkswagen betrayed us volkswagen fans in terms of ideas. At least volkswagen tries to be honest with what they do. Maybe VW will take this existing design they have and make it better for the next model year.
Nicer design, but same shitty Chrysler powertrain. That's a big NO GO. I'd stick with the Odyssey.
Our 09 town and country is fine. What shitty powertrain ? And the 4.0
Is bullet proof. Honda is boring
Agreed!
um not at all u can get stow and go on limited and signature series its a option
Really disappointing that the switch gear in these cars were so low quality.. and no one brought these things it’s a shame lmao
i thought the same to.. but they are smart. it cheaper for the vw thats better inside. on hell an american classic the caravan (i hate saying that) but once vw gets there foot in the door they have plans on offering their engs and trans. and hopefully a tdi. let them get the foot in the door 1st! and this is coming from a 2000 TDI NB and hating chrysler products. (but since the past merger with MB chrysler has got their shit together somewhat)
and every mother on the face of the earth has one that says you like to blend in insted of havng something diffrent
A VW with a Chrysler engine/platform? hmm, I'm not sure what to think about that.
hahah, dodge really pulled a fast one over ze germans
That’s actually wrong. He’s just covering his ass. The reason why it doesn’t have stowing go in the second row because Chrysler/dodge didn’t want them to have it because it would eat into their sales.
CRYSLER & VW...THEY DONT MIX!!!!!!!
No "crossfire" grill FTW
how come VW cant sell the Sharan in the US?! They sell it in Mexico.
I can't believe that VW relied on Chrysler to make a van. The old rear VW buses were the original mini vans. VW should have kept making them and/ormade a retro VW bus like new beetle. They missed the boat. These are too pricey for the unreliability. Too bad. Someone needs to make a reliable 120-150k 18k minivan. Forget the auto doors, and power seats, heated wipers etc. Just make them, reliable, roomy, safe, and efficient. That's what would save the US auto industry.
No it won’t because everyone leases cars. Who the fuck wouldn’t want power sliding doors and tech ! Fuck owning a car for 400k miles.
Buy the damn Chrysler!!!!!!
Probably because this van will spend more time picking up the kids and going shopping than 4-wheelin and racing?
It has a market and people would buy it, it's a Town&Country with better build quality and looks. They would make a killing if it had one of their diesels in...
Build quality same as the caravan comes from the same plant
Dear God,
Please help me so that I may never have to get a minivan.
Amen
If you are thinking about getting one of these, do your self a favor and rent one for a week. I just got back from Washington where I had one of these for a week. It was a LONG week. The turning radius is HUGE! It steers like a cruise ship in a desert. It had 31K miles on it, it felt like it had 90k. The interior was cheap, the power doors usually worked, the power train was sluggish and jerky and loud. DO NOT BUY THIS VAN. You will regret it within a month.
VW is good, but wow, i think we have moved past the mini van. WaY To late to enter the market, VW should be making a convertible SUV. or SUV with long sedan height. hard to explain.
A majority of you couldn't be more wrong about the two. appearance and spec wise they are very similar... however once VW got the van, they invested 10 million dollars into the quality and more importantly the suspension! drive both back to back and feel the difference. hate to say it like this but the Routan is the better choice, but its only the stepping stone to prepare the public for something better.
Same van as the caravan, only difference is the front/rear end and then the interior. Suspension and underbody all chrysler engineering and parts.
chrysler was the first to invent the Mini van.. so they have the credits... (h)
The Chrysler looks way far cheaper than it's Volkswagen counterpart.
And it shows.
Hate that vi-dub name though, sounds like Rootin to me. Which the van is the perfect place to do some indiscretions with the opposite sex.
Because Ford pays them to not sell their Touran/Sharan in the US.
Ford doesn't sell a minivan in the US, so the Sharan should be sold in the US.
vw should have stuck with making the microbus
Honda's minivan.
And then it flipped on sales and they moved on
VW would be much better off than stealing a Chrysler engine. It's basically a chrysler with a VW badge. Shame on you, VW. Offer your own van with a clean diesel.
its smaller no swerve and go seats
most chrysler products turn out to be crap after a few years, reason they depreciate in value so rapidly. i would like to know the reason vw decided to take such a risk with it's reputation. even the chrysler engine looks like something from the 1980's.
VW beats chrysler!! Chrysler is always dammaged.. always he needs to the Garage,, its Rubbige!@!
The routan was made by chrysler
VW van looks like the older Mazda vans. How unexciting.
I think Honda Odyssey is better in performance and quiet engine. Period.
but toyota is a Japanese car... It is made by Japanese peeps!! Asian cars cannot be compared with a German car even though this one is half Chrysler...
(I'm not racist!! I am Asian myself)
I think Chrysler minivans are the best in the world, that why VW ask Chrysler to do there minivan not Honda or Toyota.
Routan is much better than the town and country..... the rutan 2and row seats are much better
The VW Routan is a rebadged Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan. The Routan is made alongside the Chrysler mini-van in Windsor Ontario's (Canada) manufacturing plant. So, is it really a VW?....I think not!! (Research it yourself if in doubt!)
pues esta padre, pero no me gusto el reloj ese que tiene....
they look like the same ugly minivan.
gay. y did Volkswagen use dodge moter??? y not a moter from a s4 or someting
wow.. well someones gotta help out dodge lol i guess volkswagon is the one taking one for the team eh?? lol
No we dont.
Apparently, VW is a Big 3 Koolade drinker as well. VW had a better chance of recreating the Vanagon, or even the Microbus instead of copypasta of a shit van from a shit company.
toyota sienna most efficient minivan now better than oddyssey
LOL
VW made such a big mistake making a van with Chrysler. They're crazy. I would've paid 50k for a cool VW Microbus than this Dreck!
Man 13years ago, crazy😂...
Well now chrysler has the pacifica 2021 which is top 5 best minivan you can get
but toyota is a Japanese car... eww! It is made by Japanese peeps!! Asian cars cannot be compared with a German car even though this one is half Chrysler...
(I'm not racist!! I am Asian myself)
PLEASE GOD PLEASE,
SMITE THE ONE WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA!
please all vw lovers out there this is graphic and apauling! please do not watch!!!!
all respect and love for the name will decrease by about 30% please view with caution!!!! HORRIBLE! shocking! disgusting! PATHETIC!
another overpriced version of dodge caravan.. good luck with sales
Chrysler Town & Country is ugly
I drive a taxi Chrysler mini van. It's a piece if crap they always break down just like everything Chrysler makes
Fail.
I think Honda Odyssey is better in performance and quiet engine. Period.