Look like they liked it.

 

trev0006,
In the future, please post a direct link to the video rather than a link to an advertising site. I have corrected your post to reflect what we are looking for here.

 

These things ride really really nice. I drive one for the dealer i work at as our shuttle. VW put alot of time and money into the suspension and it really shows as compared to the chrysler "version".

 

Great, the suspension is VW, but the rest is crap from Chrysler. The engine, tranny, electronics, etc are all crap. No thank you...

 

I hope that that model stays firmly put over your side of the pond, and that it never reaches the shores of the UK.
Whats VW thinking off using a third rate product to base a new vehicle on?? it does even boast a VW powerplant.
At least when VW built the Touareg, then at least they peared up with a premium quality manufacturer.
I think the whole Skoda thing, makes VW think they can take anyones products and turn them around:|

 

The Routan with Chrysler is a one product line run.

 

It flopping over here so I think its safe to say its not going anywhere...There's nothing VW about it other than the interior design and spring rates. Its built in the Windsor Ontario Chrysler plant on the same line as the Dodge/Chrysler versions.

If you want an expensive Dodge Caravan with a VW logo on it, this is it...

 

PHEW!!!, wipes off brow

 

I didn't know this . . .

So two weeks ago, the company rented me a mini-van to haul test equipment down to Dallas in - a Chrysler Town and Country. Otherwise, if it's just me, I take my Touareg. Like that MUCH better.

So, hauling more equipment tomorrow, and got out to my rental tonight and I was pleasantly surprised it was a Routan. I got inside and "wait a minute" this thing is just like the Town and Country I just rented. Every single control is the same except they scimped a little on stow and go on the 2nd row seats. Must have had Touareg rear seat folding on their mind or something.

I think these front seats are a little more comfy than the T&C were but no satellite radio in this one. Have to break out the CDs tomorrow.

Anyway, I didn't know Routan was just VW OEM'ing the T&C from Chrysler.

I learned something today, at least . . .

 

Apparently Chrysler won't let VW use stow & go...must be a competitive advantage thing or something.

 

Umm, yep just a rebagged Chrysler product.

 

...and the ONLY VW model in the lineup to not have the 12 year/unlimited mileage rust perforation warranty. I wonder why?

I did get to ride in it a couple of times, as this is what my local VW dealer uses as a shuttle, to take customers to their houses, and pick them up again when their vehicle is ready. It does ride nice....VW has done a nice job with the spring rates I must say.

 

It did seem today that semi's didn't buffet the Routan around as badly when behind them like it did the Chrysler T&C a couple weeks ago. Since they're supposedly the same, I don't know why this would be but the Routan just seems more stable. Also got better mileage but I'm pretty sure this is a smaller 6. Actually sounds like a 4 banger but I don't think they made a 4 banger. The T&C had noticeably more power.

Miss my Touareg . . .

 

The suspension tuning is very different on the Crouton vs the Chrysler versions. The interior materials are also nicer (dash plastics - leather -- that kind of stuff).

 

For those that care . . .

I did notice oddly enough today that driving behind smaller "service type" or "panel" trucks causes the Routan to buffet some though like I said in my previous post the Routan is more stable behind semi's than the T&C was.

Had some fun today coming home from Dallas. Naughty fun, that is.

There was a Lincoln MKT and an Escalade playing cat and mouse starting about 15 miles south of the Texas/Oklahoma border darting in an out of traffic. An X5 joined in the fun so I thought I'd take advantage and join the convoy. Pretty soon there was 7 or 8 of us running mostly 85-90mph although at one point on a long down hill grade in southern OK I got the Routan above 100mph for a short somewhat wobbly period. Man I wished I had my Touareg this trip. Would have been MUCH more fun. The fun lasted almost to OKC but I thought it was funny that the Bimmer was the first to drop out. Then the Escalade. I outlasted everyone but the Lincoln so I guess he won since I had to stop and use the facilities and grab some lunch.

All in all, not a very impressive ride, the Routan that is. Vastly underpowered, strange gearing, and just the whole idea that VW would "decide" to OEM something from Chrysler . . . No doubt figured it would be quicker to market that way. Though the Routan has slightly nicer interior and was a tad more stable, the T&C would be my choice over the 2 if I was actually looking for a mini-van [NOT!] and was actually considering just these two [NOT!]. The power side doors kept getting stuck requiring manual intervention and I had a roof panel probably where a DVD screen would pop down from if it had that option that just fell off coming home. Or perhaps it was the "you're driving me too damn fast" panel.

 

It's a minivan. What can you expect......

 

Oh I had zero expectations . . . just reporting the Routan driving experience "for those that care!"

 

I'd like it ALOT better if they would put the 2.0 TDI motor in it. Boggles my mind why the the US doesn't put diesels in heavier vehicles such as vans and SUVs. That would easily be a 20% reduction in fuel consumption in two of the mainstream vehicles driven in the US.

 

I'd like it ALOT better if they would put the 2.0 TDI motor in it. Boggles my mind why the the US doesn't put diesels in heavier vehicles such as vans and SUVs. That would easily be a 20% reduction in fuel consumption in two of the mainstream vehicles driven in the US

As a diesel driver for most of my life I had the same question when moving here. If you would ask me I would think, and Americans please don't take this personally, this is because most North Americans put price above anything else. Diesels are more expensive, and this combined with the fact gas used to be dirt cheap and diesel hard to get makes it easier to understand.

And the diesels sold here over the years (mostly pickup trucks) are noisy, thirsty and underpowered.

 

I hate minivans !!

This year my wife's minivan is due to be replaced. I finally convinced her you don't have to risk your life and waste valuable quality time of life driving a minivan:anger: You can get there in style. The audi avant will be more than capable to move a few kids and 2 dogs.

Imagine buying the most boring cars in the world.](*,) However I had a great time listen to the car salesmen about all the "cool" futures the van has....puke