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A popular thought in automotive circles is that Chrysler invented the minivan with the 1983 introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager.

The folks from VW would scoff at that notion. The Germans introduced the first Transporter — also known affectionately as the Bus or Microbus — in 1950. And the company has been in the van business ever since, producing a series of vans known as Transporter across the pond, but Vanagon or EuroVan in the U.S. VW still builds Transporters for the European market, so this new Routan seems a little odd.

That’s because instead of bringing the current Transporter to the U.S., VW partnered with Chrysler for a version of its new Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country.

The reason is simple: Americans may like European cars, but they like their Europeanness in small doses. We like our minivans with tons of innovative features — how about disappearing seats or seats that swivel for a game of cards? —- but aren’t so interested in sacrificing in the name of fashion — anyone care to buy a Nissan Quest minivan?

Add to those issues the problem with making a business case for importing lower-priced European models and it starts to make sense why VW went to Chrysler to help fill the minivan hole in its lineup. Too bad for VW that Chrysler reserved its best feature for the home team. More on that later.

VW’s marketing of the Routan has been rather interesting. Bragging that the Routan is the only minivan for sale here that has German engineering, VW makes it sound as if the Routan was born traversing the Autobahn as its engineers and designers dined on schnitzel and Lowenbrau.

In reality, the Routan has a driving experience that is very similar to the Grand Caravan. That’s not surprising since the basic structure as well as the engines and transmission choices come straight from the Caravan catalog.

The Routan’s base engine is Chrysler’s 197-horsepower 3.8-liter overhead-valve V-6. The available 4.0-liter overhead-cam V-6 is a better choice since it generates an extra 54 horsepower yet provides better fuel economy — 17 city, 25 highway, compared to 16/23 for the 3.8. The 4.0 is competitive with the best minivans on the market, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. The test vehicle, equipped with the 4.0, returned 20.5 mpg on a combination of rural two lanes and freeway travel. Both engines send power to the front wheels only through a six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.3-liter V-6 offered in the Dodge and Chrysler is not available in the Routan. And that’s a good thing.

The Routan rides well and with the 4.0, has decent acceleration. It doesn’t carve roads as neatly as the Odyssey, but this is a minivan, afterall, so most drivers probably won’t care.

Several of the Routan’s body panels are unique compared to the Chrysler products, a surprise since the van probably won’t sell in large quantities. One big difference, the hood wraps over the fenders instead of the Dodge’s which has more traditional front fenders. Seems like pressing unique hood and fender panels is a big price for a relatively small difference in appearance. Still, there’s no denying that VW’s styling of the big box is more pleasing than the lackluster effort by Chrysler’s designers.
What really matters to minivan buyers is what’s going on inside. There, the Routan has Chrysler’s easy-folding third-row 60/40-split seats — power-operated on the top-level SEL test vehicle. And in front, all of the controls are well placed and are easy to use.

The problem comes in the critical second row. The Dodge and Chrysler have the groundbreaking Stow ‘n’ Go seats which fold into a well between the front and middle rows, easily turning the minivan into a miniature moving van. Stow ‘n’ Go is Chrysler’s most critical feature in it’s battle to hold onto market share. The Routan has the well -— which provides about 17 cubic feet of storage — but the seats do not fold into them.

Instead, the Routan’s seatbacks can be folded flat with one balky lever, with another lever used to tilt the seat. But the headrest bumps the back of the front seat if it’s folded. Leave the seatback up and the headrest is squeezed by the ceiling, at least it was in the sunroof-equipped test vehicle. The seats can be folded up against the front-row seats or can be removed. It’s a similar setup to the Toyota Sienna, but the Toyota’s elegant system is far easier to use.

One of the problems with the Grand Caravan is that there is a lack of floor space caused by the middle-row seats being pushed closer together to accommodate the folding seats. Considering that the Routan doesn’t have the nifty seats, there’s no benefit to having the squished middle row.

And like in the Caravan, the cover on the well between the seats cannot be fully opened without moving the front seats up.
At least all of the seats are comfortable.

While the Routan has a ceiling-mounted center console that is similar to the Caravan’s, it doesn’t have the nifty “halo” lighting used by it’s brethren. Elsewhere in the cabin, the Routan’s plastics seem to be a slight improvement over the Caravan, but not as good as the Honda. One particular gaffe: Where the Caravan has a wide and smooth surface on top of the inner door panel which is perfect for resting an elbow. But the Routan’s door panel is curved and there’s a surround on the door lock button right where my elbow wants to be.

So who will the Routan appeal to? Likely buyers are those who find appeal in VW’s slightly offbeat image. Jetta drivers will probably find the Routan just right as they grow their families. Everyone else should strongly consider whether the Caravan, Sienna or Honda Odyssey work better for them.