Will VW loyalists turn their back on the Routan?
Last week at the Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen took the wraps off their new Routan minivan, which is essentially a rebadged version of Chrysler's new-for-2008 minivan. And if the buzz on the web -- including the comments on this blog post from About.com's Minivans site -- are any indication, the Volkswagenisti may be none to happy about the fact that the newest Volkswagen isn't a Volkswagen, but is in fact a Chysler.
VW's last van in the US was the Eurovan, which was rather large and had a distinctly commercial feel. VW also sells a minivan in Europe called the Sharan, a nice if somewhat elderly product (the current Sharan was introduced in 1995) that is probably a bit too small for American tastes.
So what do you think -- was VW right to pair with Chrysler? Should they have gone with another partner? Should they have tried selling the Sharan in the states? Or should they have invested the money in an all-new product? Click the "comments" link and share your thoughts.-- Aaron Gold
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Photo © Volkswagen
Comments
VW fahrvenugen mitten der Amerikaner Chrysler Caravannen? Ack! Nicht! Ptooie! Methinkin iss der crappen unt der poopin. Vass iss das? Heresy mit funklestchiltsen! Blechh!
I don’t like badge engineering. It feels too much like Madison Avenue manipulation. Nevertheless, dare I say it, I really like the changes VW made. They are, in fact, so tastefully executed that they take what is a decent platform and dress it as it should have been all along. It becomes the only Chryler minivan I would consider buying. I wonder if they changed anything performance-wise. Like I said, I don’t like badge engineering, but this time they made an option for me where there wasn’t one before.
Smart move. It’s a decent van at a good price. And the VW name will make it a hit in europe. If it makes it big in europe I wonder if Chrysler will dump VW in this venture and try to make a name for itself with this product. Maybe Chrysler can get one of VWs diesels in the van and sell it in North America - wouldn’t that put this van in a different class.
Interesting question emanuel. Also, in regard to my earlier comment, on the minivan site it says that VW made steering and handling improvements.
Being in the market for a minivan currently, I was anticipating this one as I have driven a Passat wagon and currently own a Jetta TDI. The changes VW made make the van look much better, both inside and out. I recently had a rental Dodge Caravan and hated everything about it, but I’ve read about the changes VW has made mechanically (mostly the tauter suspension and upgraded interior materials) and visually (took away the tree trunk dash layout of the Chryslers), and I have to say it’s not bad. I won’t buy one until they put a clean TDI in it, but I think it will be accepted well, espcially given the cheap base price.
Is nothing sacred? Chrysler ruins everything they touch. So very sad.
The Sharan is a product co-developed with Ford, its not a VW blooded product, The T5 MULTIVAN is the real thing but at the current exchange rate it would probably be a hard sale in America, they even make a business edition van with a gnarly 240Hp V6 that sells in Germany for about $150.000. and it has all the electronic gadgets expected from VW.
What are the alternatives for the VW loyalist - a Toyota Sienna, a Honda Odyssey, a Chrysler Town & Country? He is too practical for an SUV. He will stay loyal to VW for resale value (best resale value brand by kbb.com), quality of the materials and the simple fact that he stays in a Volkswagen, because to him, the rest is second best.
Well it’s just another van. Nothing special. What happened to the VW Retro Micro Bus that was promised half-a-decade ago?
I am currently looking for a van. I have to make the jump for my growing family. I have driven the dodge/chrysler, honda, toyota and Kia/Hyundai.. The worst of the group was the dodge/chrysler and I drove the top of the line 4.0 with 6speed auto.. I do not know how much VW can improve a lacking powertrain when they are making no changes to that aspect of the vehicle. The other vans I tested are in a class above the dodge/chrysler. VW should have paired up with hyundai. Their platform I was the most impressed with and even more so when you factor in the price and warranty.
Well what I don’t like is that they dumped the Stow and Go seating. That is a real shame.
They are keeping the Chrysler drive train?? I want a TDI or at least a DSG and or AWD.
But they did really improve the looks.
Now if VW could just help Chrysler with their other products we it might be a really good thing.
Emanuel, fyi, Chrysler has traditionally sold a diesel version of the Caravan in Europe. As far as I know, it was a 2.5 liter four-cylinder turbodiesel made by Italian manufacturer VM, and came coupled to a five-speed manual… not exactly the sort of powertrain Americans would take to. I believe it was related to the 2.8 turbodiesel that Chrysler used to sell in the Jeep Liberty CRD, which wasn’t really a great engine — it had all the refinement of a fine European tractor.
The interior improvements over the Chrysler and Dodge versions are much-needed. The lack of “stow-and-go” seating is no big loss. They were thinly-padded and uncomfortable to sit on. It is really sad that they didn’t switch to a VW engine, perhaps the 3.6 Liter found in the Passat, or one of the diesels.
All things considered, it really is NOT a very distinctive vehicle and considering that VW has some of the worst-rated dealership experiences, I can’t see why anyone would buy one.
As long as VW proceeds with a US factory and make a Bulli their first
vehicle produced I can live with the Routan. The Routan is what it is. It’s not for me. Will continue to hope and pray for something build in the USA by VW based along the lines of the 2001 concept micro with a camper version and hopefully soon, so I’ll still be able to enjoy it. Nothing else for me will do for me.
vw should at least take a bash at it and see what happens. i’m biast towards the new grand caravan but i’ll at least take a look at the routan
This is only a little off topic.
I would love to have a van like the Sharan. I would gladly take a slightly smaller, slower (0-60 in 12 seconds) vehicle to get a lot better gas mileage, (low to mid 40s for combination city/hwy driving). And it still has a top speed of 120mph, more than my malibu with a v6. It’s limited at 115. I find it very interesting to look at cars in the UK and compare specs. A mid sized ford here, a lowest power, best mileage car would be mid to upper 20s for all around driving. In the Uk, you can get the same car and get closer to 50mpg. I would love just having the option to buy that in the states. Hopefully the new Diesels will help with this.
I own a Chrysler minivan it has well over 100000 miles on it. With 0 problems so far. I am also a big fan of VW. The VW badge on a Chrysler van isn’t a big deal for me and I hope that VW doesn’t do well with the new Routan van, then I will trade my current Chrysler for a VW, get a fabulous deal and drive the wheels off it. All the while someone who doesn’t know anthing about cars won’t know the difference, and they will think I have a spanking new VW.
The underlyin imlpication of Aaron’s question “…-was VW right to pair with Chrysler?” is that somehow, VW is better than them. I’m not going to debate Chrysler/Dodge quality or how great of a company they are, but VW doesn’t excatly tear up the charts in any quality, dependability or service ratings. J.D. Power’s recent data on dependability ranks VW below Dodge (makers of the Caravan) in every category but 1 where they are even.
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-brand
Sam, what you are saying is interesting but remember that Aaron asked the question based on blogs from people on the minivan site and elsewhere, not on some personal bias. VW has a well-deserved reputation for both performance and poor build quality. The odd truth is that the cars perform so well and have such excellent *apparent* quality that they endear themselves to their owners some of whom seem willing, consequently, to bear with the problems that usually develop. Chrysler, on the other hand, has better build quality but poorer apparent build quality and most of their vehicles don’t have that ability to involve their owners in such an enthusiastic driving experience. VWs also have a following among young people, college students, and others who are trend-conscious. Thus it is that VW afficianados emphasize things like performance, materials quality, and appearance (trendiness); while a Chrysler proponent might point to better build quality, warranty, and neat-o gadgetry (at least in the minivans) that some Chrysler products have going for them. I, too, think that reliability is a major consideration in a car purchase and would be doing some careful research before I bought from either VW or Chrysler. I also think that if VW loses it’s trendy halo, it will be hard pressed to get anything close to the kind of sales they enjoy today thanks in large part to it’s quality issues and arrogant dealer network. At least that’s what my crystal ball says
VW’s gonna do what they gotta do to survive. I won’t drive one, but hey, what of it? If it improves their profitability and thus allows them to bring more interesting cars to market, then it’ll be a good thing. When our B5 Passat and MkV GTI die (of old age, naturally
), I want some good VW stuff to pick from. If they need a van to keep ‘em alive, even a rebadged Chrysler (bleah), bring it on!
With reference to comment #19 by Mike, I hope that the buyers of this van get the best that each company brings to the table, rather than Chysler’s lackluster engineering and VW’s long term durability problems.
I also would like to pass on my regrets to Rob and the others who have been forced by life’s cruel turns that they must succumb to the need of being in the market for one of these sensory numbing behemoths of the carpool lane.
As to jimmy who stated “I would love to have a van like…”, there is an excellent therapist I’d like to recommend…(Just kidding Rob & jimmy!)
The van is not a VW. I would not buy it. It is difficult to understand why VW thought now was the right time to re-enter the van market in the US–with a Chrysler van–instead of waiting for an inevitable update of the German engineered Sharan, Multivan, or CrossTouran. The badge strategy does not work–it is a major problem in GM’s marketing/sales efforts; many of their models are only different due to badge and styling, resulting in cannibalization in sales and lack of excitement. VW needs to give the US/Worldwide consumer another genuine VW van, rather than dilute the brand.
They should have brought the Transporter Sportline to the US instead of trying to sneak their way into the US market with the Routan. Wait… They should have bit the bullet and introduced the Micro Bus presented back in 04.
Horrid!! I’m so sad they didn’t take the chance on the microbus.
I can’t imagine anyone buying thr Routan.
We have a VW Sharan van. It is fantastic! It is nice looking, comfortable for 7 people, swivel seats in the front, heated seats, good mileage, and comfortable on the road. We wish they were sold in the U.S.!
I meant heated front seats! But also, heated mirrors which are a big help in a snow storm!
I have started Building a Campervan on the VW Routan Platform. I have owned an 02 eurocamper, and moved to a Sprinter camper van. And now find interest in building micro campers or minivan campers. The VW Routan / Dodge Caravan platform is very spacious you can sit in it comfortable, sleep 2 with length to spare. Camper will feature sink, stove, fridge. maintain seating for 6 and sleep two. Will be fitted with screened covering for all openings, rear hatch tent that will fold into camper (no set up required). Swing away bike rack, roof rack basket, and awning. Digital TV, and 120v power. A heater can be added if needed but will not be standard. Will be a great soccer mom ride, or weekend warrior base camp.
I would never buy rebadged Crysler junk.
Not even close to the T5 available in Europe.
If you want to know how the VW crowd feels about the Routan check thesamba.com