It’s been 40 years, the mainstream media have repeatedly reminded us, since the concert at Woodstock. As we Boomers get older, we start sounding more like our grandparents, reminiscing about “the good old days,” but the memories are a wee bit different, as a good friend — a former journalist – recently reminded me, his eyes rolling back and a smile creeping across his face as he recalled the drive up the New York Thruway for the legendary gathering of peace, drugs and music.
There were far more of them crammed into that VW Microbus than it was designed for, but back then, who cared. In fact, I am suspicious about my friend’s claim to attending Woodstock because, as other friends point out, “If you can remember it you probably weren’t there.”
I’ll save that debate for another time, but one thing is clear, Volkswagen had a firm grip on the Woodstock generation, the Beetle or the Microbus being the vehicles of choice for hippie motorists. So, there was plenty of interest when the German maker announced, earlier this decade, plans to bring out an all-new version, showcased in concept form, at the Detroit Auto Show.
Sadly, VW eventually gave up on the idea. The blunt nose of the original was one of its defining design elements – but a virtual non-starter when it came to meeting modern crash standards. Instead, company officials came up with an alternative plan: they decided to paste their own face on the vehicle that became a symbol of suburban life once the Boomers got around to having families and sending all their old hippie accoutrements to the Goodwill, the Chrysler minivan.
The fundamental concept of the Chrysler Town & Country is, at heart, the same as that of the old Microbus – if you don’t consider the hazy, sweet smelling smoke that seemed to fill so many of the old VWs. It’s all about the interior, finding a way to maximize both space and utility. And while Chrysler has made a number of mistakes, over the years, it has generally done a great job delivering on the inherent DNA of the minivan concept.
True, those hoping the 2010 Routan would be the Microbus reborn are certain to be disappointed. It is very much in the mold of the latest Chrysler minivan design, which means VW has adopted many of its good and a few of its bad points.
On the plus side, let’s start with the interior, which is what really matters when you’re talking minivans. Routan is, on the whole, quite spacious, with three rows of seats that make it easy to settle back and enjoy traveling – whether on a cross-country trip or just around town. The back row is a bit smaller than some of the competition and, surprisingly, VW didn’t adopt either the Stow-n-Go or Swivel-n-Go Chrysler seating systems.
But like the Chrysler version Routan does offer a great rear seat entertainment system. You may just hear the kids complain, “Are we there already?” There’s a 30 gigabyte multimedia system built into the dash for storing music and even photos of the kid, called the JoyBox. And VW has plugged in a 110-volt AC outlet, something we wish more family-friendly vehicles would offer.
There are nooks and storage bins everywhere, and enough juicebox and cupholders to keep a Cub Scout pack well hydrated.
We were, however, surprisingly disappointed with some of the fit, finish and detailing of the new Routan. The shifter, for example, is wobbly enough to make you wonder if it will come off in your hand (it won’t), and there’s an exposed screw hole about the gearshift lever that is the sort of refinement issue that you don’t expect in a modern automobile.
As to the exterior, minivans aren’t exactly the sexiest products, let’s face it, but the Routan, like the Chrysler it’s based on, has a particularly squared-off shape that almost seems a step backwards. In an era when SUVs and crossovers are looking more and more coupe-like, the partners have chosen to go back to a very truck-like box. It does maximize interior space, but at a visual price.
Unless you’re a mechanic, you might not immediately spot some of the biggest differences between the VW and Chrysler minivans, but you’ll soon discover them when you head out on the road. Routan has a firmer, more European ride that, despite the image of the soccer mom-mobile, is actually fun to drive.
Powertrain choices are limited to the two larger Chrysler offerings: a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 and a 4.0-liter V-6 making 253 hp. The big surprise? The larger engine gets the better mileage: 17 City/25 Highway versus 16/23.
Sales of Routan have been slow, reflecting the fact that it’s not a product Americans normally associate with Volkswagen. That’s likely good news for those willing to drive a hard bargain. Routan has its drawbacks, but if you like the Chrysler Town & Country, the chance to get a great deal makes it a minivan worth considering.