2011 Volkswagen Routan Minivan Gets 283 hp
Just as Chrysler and Dodge face-lifted their minivans for the 2011 model year, the Volkswagen Routan—a Mopar van with a VeeDub logo on the hood—is tweaked for 2011, including a significant powertrain upgrade and some interior improvements.
The Routan’s powertrain lineup has been streamlined, from two V-6 engines to only Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter six-cylinder. It’s produces 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission; some previous Routan trims had a four-speed auto. The output makes the new mill not only more powerful than the Routan’s old stable of engines—a 197-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 and a 253-hp, 4.0-liter V-6—but at 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, more fuel efficient than they were, too. (For our impression of how the new powertrain fares in the van triplets, check out our 2011 Dodge Caravan review)
Unlike its American progenitors, which feature freshly face-lifted sheetmetal, the Routan doesn’t receive any exterior updates. The interior, however, has been dolled up with a new multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, thicker carpeting, and a lightly revised instrument cluster. Front side airbags are now standard, as is a driver’s knee airbag, and all Routans will be equipped with an “ECO” button, which kicks the transmission into a fuel-economy-oriented mode. Stowable roof rails become standard for SE and SEL trim levels, and a new Garmin-powered navigation system is available for SE models.
The best things in life may be free, but in this case you’ll have to pay for the additional power and features in the Routan. The entry-level Routan S now starts at $27,750, an increase of $1050 over last year, while the top-spec Routan SEL Premium stickers at $44,060, an increase of $760 versus 2010 pricing.
These changes help the partially German, mostly American Routan keep up with its siblings—although that’s only on paper. The Routan is positioned price-wise between the Caravan and Town & Country, but its sales are a tiny fraction of those and other major minivan players. To wit: Volkswagen sold 14,714 Routans in the first 11 months of 2010, while Dodge nearly matched that with 14,266 in December alone. So we certainly welcome this slew of improvements for the Routan, but are looking forward to 2014, when Volkswagen is likely to replace the Chrysler-based people carrier with its own creation, the retro-fabulous Microbus.
Just as Chrysler and Dodge face-lifted their minivans for the 2011 model year, the Volkswagen Routan—a Mopar van with a VeeDub logo on the hood—is tweaked for 2011, including a significant powertrain upgrade and some interior improvements.
The Routan’s powertrain lineup has been streamlined, from two V-6 engines to only Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter six-cylinder. It’s produces 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission; some previous Routan trims had a four-speed auto. The output makes the new mill not only more powerful than the Routan’s old stable of engines—a 197-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 and a 253-hp, 4.0-liter V-6—but at 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, more fuel efficient than they were, too. (For our impression of how the new powertrain fares in the van triplets, check out our 2011 Dodge Caravan review)
Unlike its American progenitors, which feature freshly face-lifted sheetmetal, the Routan doesn’t receive any exterior updates. The interior, however, has been dolled up with a new multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, thicker carpeting, and a lightly revised instrument cluster. Front side airbags are now standard, as is a driver’s knee airbag, and all Routans will be equipped with an “ECO” button, which kicks the transmission into a fuel-economy-oriented mode. Stowable roof rails become standard for SE and SEL trim levels, and a new Garmin-powered navigation system is available for SE models.
The best things in life may be free, but in this case you’ll have to pay for the additional power and features in the Routan. The entry-level Routan S now starts at $27,750, an increase of $1050 over last year, while the top-spec Routan SEL Premium stickers at $44,060, an increase of $760 versus 2010 pricing.
These changes help the partially German, mostly American Routan keep up with its siblings—although that’s only on paper. The Routan is positioned price-wise between the Caravan and Town & Country, but its sales are a tiny fraction of those and other major minivan players. To wit: Volkswagen sold 14,714 Routans in the first 11 months of 2010, while Dodge nearly matched that with 14,266 in December alone. So we certainly welcome this slew of improvements for the Routan, but are looking forward to 2014, when Volkswagen is likely to replace the Chrysler-based people carrier with its own creation, the retro-fabulous Microbus.
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