Volkswagen vans have been the first choice for hippies and camping fanatics for decades, so when the 2011 Volkswagen Routan entered the market people were delighted to see a Volkswagen van.
The 2011 Volkswagen Routan comes with a more efficient and more powerful 3.6 ltr V6 engine, which at present powers its Chrysler and Dodge minivan siblings.
The 2011 Volkswagen Routan comes in a single body style of a minivan and is available in four trims namely: SE, S, SEL Premium and SEL trims. The SE trim on the other hand comes with 17 in alloy wheels, improved exterior trim, a roof rack, power-adjustable pedals, power sliding doors, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an 8-way power driver seat having lumbar adjustment, 2nd- and 3rd-row sunshades, a trip computer, an overhead storage console, a 6-CD changer and Bluetooth.
You can get the Garmin navigation system into the touchscreen audio interface offered with the RSE package.
The SEL trim gets all the SE’s equipment and in addition gets a sunroof, automatic headlamps, a rearview camera, heated second-row seats, a remote ignition, a power-folding third-row seat, leather upholstery, automatic three-zone climate control, a Chrysler-sourced navigation system, the touchscreen audio interface, voice controls, digital music storage, real-time traffic, an iPod interface and satellite radio.
The 2011 Volkswagen Routan gets its power from a 3.6 ltr V6 engine generating maximum power of 283 hp and 260 lbs-ft of maximum torque.
Performance:
Safety Equipments:
Being a family centered minivan the 2011 Volkswagen Routan comes loaded with safety equipments such as stability and traction control, brake assist and antilock disc brakes, a driver knee airbag, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.
The Volkswagen Routan minivan returns for the 2011 model year, with much of the upgrading that's taken place on its sister vehicles, the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.
The base $26,930 Routan S includes manual sliding side doors, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD with auxiliary audio jack, cloth seats, and power windows/locks/mirrors.
The $37,390 VW Routan SEL tops the range with its standard sunroof, automatic climate control, navigation system, satellite radio, USB port and real-time traffic. Options include the DVD system, and a premium package with a megawatt audio system and dual power front seats.
We'll update this review once the Routan is available for a test drive.
For 2011, the Volkswagen Routan gets the new, more powerful and efficient 3.6-liter V6 that now powers its Dodge and Chrysler minivan siblings. To kick things off in a positive way, the 2011 VW Routan inherits the Dodge's (and Chrysler Town & Country's) new 3.6-liter V6 that produces more power and gets better fuel economy than both Chrysler-sourced V6s found in the Routan last year. Beyond this, the Routan continues to provide the sort of interior layout and space expected by American minivan customers, while also offering family-friendly features like power sliding doors, a DVD entertainment system, heated rear seats and an iPod interface. The 2011 Volkswagen Routan is a minivan available in S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium trim levels. The SE gains 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, upgraded exterior trim, power sliding doors, power-adjustable pedals, an eight-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, second- and third-row sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an overhead storage console, a trip computer, Bluetooth and a six-CD changer.
The SEL adds to the SE's equipment automatic headlamps, a sunroof, a remote ignition, a rearview camera, automatic three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third-row seat, the touchscreen audio interface, a Chrysler-sourced navigation system, real-time traffic, voice controls, digital music storage, satellite radio and an iPod interface. The rear-seat DVD entertainment features are optional on the SEL. The 2011 VW Routan is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 2011 Volkswagen Routan comes standard with traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes and brake assist, front side airbags, a driver knee airbag and side curtain airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Routan lacks the Caravan's Stow 'n Go seats that allow you to drop the second-row captain's chairs into the floor, not to mention the removable middle seats found in the Odyssey and Sienna.