2011 Volkswagen Routan Review

2011 Volkswagen Routan Review

As more and more people are discovering minivans as an ultimate solution for transporting families, they are also on the lookout for upscale solutions or more parent perks. We all know that minivans are easier to navigate and get better fuel economy than an SUV. Minivans also have nearly as much room as a sports utility, which makes them a better option than, say a full-size car. However, minivans have historically had somewhat of a bad image, because they lack style and they do not appeal to younger families or those concerned with the image a minivan portrays (me, included). However, once Volkswagen debuted the Routan, everything changed. We hope that this 2011 Volkswagen Routan Review post inspires you.

2011 Volkswagen Routan Review

I have to admit that I have long declared I will never be a minivan owner. I love SUV's. I drive one. I have driven one for years. I love everything about my SUV. Minivans, to me, have always represented that I am giving up a piece of myself and just giving in to the fact that I am only a parent. That I should only drive something for my kids. My hang-up, I know, I know! All of this changed the day I drove a Volkswagen Routan.

The 2011 Routan features seating for up to seven passengers, with captain's chairs in the middle and third-row bench seats. The seating is roomy and comfortable. The cup holders alone in this thing rock. I could have two drinks (my ever-present Diet Coke and a water bottle) plus another cup holder to store stuff. Pretty sure that the cup holder-to-person ratio is about 3:1. I am cool with that.

The Routan has four trim levels, including S, SE, RSE, and RSE. There is also an optional navigation system. When buyers choose the SE trim level, or higher, they can choose the optional heated front seats. This is a fabulous add-on. A perk all people should take advantage of if they have the opportunity. In addition, the Routan features a three-zone climate control system, which allows the front, middle, and back rows to control the temperature separately. The Routan features a powerful V6 engine, which is capable of producing a little over 280 horsepower. Another interesting feature is the six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode. The Routan is capable of getting 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway.

Features of the 2011 Volkswagen Routan

• Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine producing 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
• Available all-wheel drive
• Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway
• Seating: 7-passenger seating with flexible seating arrangements
• Features: Available features included a power sunroof, navigation system, rear-seat entertainment system, and heated leather seats

The 2011 Volkswagen Routan was a minivan co-developed by Chrysler and Volkswagen. It was essentially a rebadged version of the Chrysler Town & Country, sharing the same platform, engine, and many other features. Despite this, the Routan offered a slightly different driving experience with more responsive handling, thanks to its Volkswagen-tuned suspension.

The Volkswagen Routan features a three-year or 36,000 miles comprehensive warranty (which covers any cosmetic malfunctions). Volkswagen also includes its five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty (which covers any mechanical malfunctions). The Routan received an ‘excellent' rating in crash tests, with a four-star rating. The S model starts at about $27,000 and the RSE with navigation has an MSRP of $34,500.

The 2011 Volkswagen Routan is a decent minivan that offers good handling, a comfortable interior, and a powerful engine. However, it is not as fuel-efficient as some of its competitors and it did not win any major awards. We hope that this 2011 Volkswagen Routan Review post inspires you. Happy driving!

Disclosure: Volkswagen provided us with a routine to drive for a few weeks and I have to say that after driving it, I would consider this minivan.