09 Volkswagen Routan By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net For those readers who remember Woodstock, Make Peace Not War, and relative items from that time, you also probably have fond memories of a VW mini-bus.  We packed them.  We painted them.  We lived in them.  If you had hopes that VW was finally bringing back that iconic symbol, guess again.  The new Routan is a people-mover, more or less, and certainly has a unique attraction.

Volkswagen aligned themselves with Chrysler and are having Chrysler's plant in Windsor, Canada build the new Routan.  Some say that there is a resemblance between the Routan and the Town & Country.  I don't think so.  There are so many differences.  The side doors are the same, however, but VW has made them blend in to a sleeker and more stylish appearance.

The Routan is just now being introduced and journalists are getting their first test drives, and it is obvious that this is not your old mini-bus.  But don't hold your breath for VW to bring it back just yet.  The new Routan handles well, as reported at the media introduction held recently.  It took to the highways and byways without nary a problem.

The Routan is powered by a 3.8 V6 in the S model and a 4.0 liter V6 in the SEL model.  Both of these engines are made by Chrysler.  The VW engineers restyled the front and rear seats, tightened the gaps between the front panels, fancied up the dashboard, installed better seating, and designed the exterior to look really good.  A major feature is the dual power-sliding doors with power windows.  The side doors are dual remote-controlled, which means you can operate the windows and the doors both by the use of buttons instead of pulling and pushing.

There is a 115V power outlet in the console so you can charge up your laptop, game console, or cell phone.  There are 12V power outlets in the front and rear.  The center console is full-featured, and slides forward and backward for easy accessibility between the front and second row seating.  If you are taking the youngsters for a long trip, they will enjoy the nine inch flat screen in the rear that allows them to hook up their games. 

The third row seats are great for providing extra room for adults or allowing children to have their own space.  There is still room in the rear for a lot of cargo room.  However, when you fold down that third row flat into the floor, the cargo room expands to a whopping 83 cubic feet. 

 A lot of options are available to make this a vehicle that everyone will enjoy.  You can add a premium sound system with nine speakers and a 506 watt amp.  A rearview camera system is available as is rear park assist, a roof rack, and satellite radio.  There is a towing preparation package available for small boats or trailers, but I'm not sure I would want to pull a horse trailer loaded down with animals.

Bottom line -- this is one nice vehicle.  No, it's not your old VW mini-bus, but the Routan can probably haul just about as much of your stuff, as well as your friends, as you might need for a weekend music festival or beach party.  Check out the new Routan at your Volkswagen dealership yourself.

(Alan Gell is an active member of the National Newspaper Association, Texas Auto Writers , and Texas Press Association.  You can email him at Yelped50551@MyPacks.Net )