2014 Volkswagen Routan

In an unusual move for Volkswagen, the Routan has been relegated to fleet-only status for the 2014 model year. Fortunately, few, if any, will miss the minivan, being that it was brought about just to meet the demand for these family-friendly models that peaked in the 2000s. And to reach that demand, VW simply rebadged the Chrysler Town and Country, which was also an uncommon exploit for the German automaker. It's now sold only in its base form, which means it'll only appease those who need a spacious seven-seat hauler outfitted with the bare necessities, something car rental companies and fleet operators will likely only be interested in. The van comes powered by a 283-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine with motivation sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Though somewhat dated, the VW Routan van is still a relatively decent looking vehicle. At the prow, quad halogen lights with daytime active lamps and auto-off functionality are standard. Between these is a chromed-out dual-bar grille with VW's signature badge pinned to the center. There's privacy glass all-round, a manually operated sliding door on either side and a manual liftgate with an integrated floodlight at the rear. The S rides atop 16-inch steel wheels with full shields.

Dimensions for the Routan come in at 202.5 inches for length with 121.2 inches relegated to the wheelbase. Overall height measures in at 68.9 inches, with the wheels availing it 6.1" of ground clearance. Width, with the mirrors folded in, measures in at 76.9". The Routan is heavy, weighing in at a curb weight of 4,595 pounds. Promo images show the van dressed in a choice of seven colors.

There is only the single powertrain setup provided for the VW Routan - a 3.6-liter V6 that cedes outputs of 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque to the front axle via a six-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain, in its entirety, works well for the minivan. Acceleration responses are gradual, but power delivery is consistent. Things taper off a little at highway limits but the mill maintains its kick adequately, considering the minivan's weight. The gearbox delivers accurate and smooth responses and it collaborates well with the motor.

The Volkswagen Routan is a hefty minivan. Fortunately, VW imbued its knock-off Chrysler Town and Country with superior suspension tuning for a more compliant and subtle ride. With that said, however, its height and mass are still made obvious through turns and especially so over those minuscule 16-inch wheels. It feels suitably sturdy nevertheless and it's not a fast machine, so corners are likely not going to be taken at any dangerous speed.

The cruiser does a better job when it comes to ride-quality. It's a smooth operator and most everyday speed bumps and road imperfections are eased over effortlessly. Class competitors, such as the Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona perform similarly.

The Routan is by no means a frugal daily commuter; its large motor along with its size and heft lead to really extravagant fuel consumption, so driving frivolously can get expensive over time. The EPA evaluated the Routan and recorded gas mileage estimates of 17/25/20 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. With those figures, the Routan's 20.5-gallon fuel tank, when filled to the brim, should supply it onward for around 410 miles before running dry.

The inside of the Routan is also an area that sets it apart from its forebear - the Chrysler. It exudes a little more of a premium impression and is accrued with finer materials to match how much more it will cost you. Passenger comfort and overall room are otherwise on par with most of the competition. The 7-seat cabin is comfortable and spacious. In regular spec, there are two captain's chairs in the second row and a three-seater bench in the third, which is best suited to small children. The seats are wreathed in a texture weave cloth upholstery that is available in a few optional colors. There's a variety of seating and storage configurations allowed by virtue of the removable captain's chairs and flat-folding third-row bench, too, plus up to 144.4 cubic feet of usable space in that layout.

Though the new Volkswagen Routan hasn't undergone review by the NHTSA or the IIHS, it has also not been subject to any recalls in the USA, whatsoever. There have also been very few negative reviews of the VW Routan lodged online over recent years. So, while how it would hold up in an accident may be uncertain, its reliability can be said to be proven.

The Routan leaves the factory floor outfitted with a bijou selection of features. These include a steering wheel and shifter wrapped in leather, four-way positionable front seats, and three-zone manual climate control. Infotainment is covered by a basic AM/FM/MP3-suitable stereo that can play CD's, six-speakers cover audio. In terms of safety, there are advanced multi-stage frontal and front-row seat-mounted thorax side airbags and a driver's knee airbag. There is also cruise control.

There is just the standalone Volkswagen Routan trim for 2014: the S, which is presented at an MSRP of around $28,000 in the US. That is a relatively high base price in comparison to other cars in the segment, but VW places its value in the more premium outer styling cues and cabin quality of the Routan. Even so, the Routan is not one of the brands most exceptional vehicles; it's certainly not the best in class, either. Alongside the competition, it may be the better-looking minivan in pictures, but it moves like any other. Even if you were interested in buying the cruiser, however, you couldn't, unless you are a car-rental agency or fleet-owner. In such a case, we'd certainly recommend it for those who want to impress.