VW Van Returns: Routan Launched at Chicago

After the demise of the Eurovan several years ago, Volkswagen is returning to the North American minivan marketplace with the Routan. The name, for those curious, stems from an amalgamation of the words “route” and the VW van suffix “-an” (see Touran, Sharan).

The big news to those who haven’t yet heard is that the Routan is based on the Chrysler Town and Country, but this said it has been reworked with different styling inside and out. Volkswagen’s designers have fitted a Passat-style nose, including wraparound projector beam headlamps and the wide, chrome grille that’s common to Volkswagens. Around back, the Routan gains taillights that have been styled to mimic the Volkswagen Rabbit and Touareg.

In terms of the interior, The Routan is very similar to the Town and Country, although it features a new dashboard and instruments that have been clearly inspired by the Passat. Much of the controls, such as the HVAC interface and dash-top shifter, plus the stereo system are Chrysler-sourced. Volkswagen, however, is promising a high level of refinement with build quality meeting VW’s exacting standards. In terms of toys, the Routan is available with the MyGig navigation system, not one but two LCD screens for the rear entertainment system, plus power sliding side doors and a power-operated rear hatch.

Volkswagen isn’t stating whether Chrysler is giving up exclusivity of its popular Stow ‘n Go seating system, or its new Swivel n’ Go seating system with its removable table, which would be a classic VW feature if available, so we’ll have to wait until the Routan gets closer to production before we can report on such details.

Don’t expect to see any TSI or FSI engines under the hood of the Routan, although it does get two of the stronger engines offered in the minivan segment – the 197-hp 3.8-liter V6 and the more powerful 251-hp 4.0-liter V6. Both engines drive the front wheels through a six-speed automatic.

Like the Town and Country and Grand Caravan, the Routan will roll off the assembly line in Windsor, Ontario, making it the first Canadian-built Volkswagen.