VW's long awaited return to vans

Volkswagen makes a long-awaited return to the van market for the 2009 model year with the Routan, a new minivan based on the Dodge Grand Caravan.

The Routan's been born of a unique marketing agreement between Chrysler and Volkswagen. The German company announced last year that it would cooperate with Chrysler to bring a minivan to the U.S. market, rather than spend far more to develop its own vehicle strictly for the U.S.

The Routan is a seven-passenger version of the Chrysler minivans, but with a heavier-than-expected dash of Volkswagen style. The exterior design incorporates a version of VW's new grille, with a deep inset and a chromed VW logo. From the rear, the Routan wears new taillamps and new sheetmetal creases to distinguish it from the Caravan/Town & Country minivans sold by Chrysler.

Inside, the Routan also sports a unique Volkswagen interior, with notably different materials and dash styling. The Routan's seating is divided 2/2/3, with dual captain's chairs in place in both the first and second row. Chrysler's 3.8-liter, 197-horsepower V-6 is the standard engine in the Routan. A six-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox offered. Volkswagen also will offer Chrysler's 4.0-liter V-6, with 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet, as an option.

Standard safety gear will include revised suspension tuning, stability and traction control, and curtain airbags. Other features included in all Routans are a conversation mirror; a rear-seat DVD entertainment system; dual power sliding doors; a touchscreen navigation system with a 20-gigabyte music hard drive; a power liftgate; and 13 cupholders.The Canadian-built Routan will be priced starting below $25,000, Volkswagen says. Stay tuned for more details.