Apparently, Routan means "not fooling around" in German because the 2009 Volkswagen Routan offers your choice of either 197 or 251 horsepower from either a 3.8L or 4.0L V6 engine. That's a lot of power for a minivan. When you opt for the 4.0L engine, the only class competitor to offer slightly more horsepower is the Toyota Sienna. The Routan is a people mover. It is designed to comfortably transport 7 people in style and safety. It also delivers a pleasing 16/23 mpg city/highway; the Nissan Quest does a little better at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway..

MSRPs for the 2009 Routan by Volkswagen are between $24,700 and $38,400 - depending on trim and options selected. German engineering and a load of standard safety features combine to make the Routan a 5-star earner for frontal crash tests from the NHTSA. Chrysler has joined forces with the Germans to create the Routan in a fashion that satisfies the American desire for spaciousness while simultaneously preserving the appreciation of German design standards.

The interior design is typically VW. High-quality materials and plenty of amenities grace the space - and consumers are buying the Routan in higher-than-projected numbers. In order to give this minivan a more VW-like driving feel, engineers incorporated a unique European-tuned suspension system with optimized steering capabilities. Driving dynamics have likewise been optimized to ensure responsive handling.

Some of the safety features that come standard on the Routan are all-weather electronic traction control, ABS with brake assist, 4-wheel disc braking and electronic stability control as well. Add in a load of airbags and passive features like tire pressure monitors and you have the recipe for safe journeys year after year. There is also a VW Carefree Maintenance Program that comes with your new Routan. It is free of charge and grants owners a considerable amount of additional peace of mind.

Torsion beam rear suspension, gas-pressurized front shock absorbers, coil-style rear springs and rear automatic level control systems also act in conjunction to make the Routan one of the most impressive-driving minivans on the planet. Although it stands in a class of its own, it serves as competition for vehicles including the Dodge Grand Caravan, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey. Pricing is tight throughout the class as well as fuel efficiency ratings. However, the feel of a Volkswagen is world-renowned for a lot of good reasons.

As you would expect, the 2009 Volkswagen Routan offers as many options for luxury and added convenience as you may be able to imagine. Safety, value, fuel efficiency, style and that unique VW flare are all yours with the purchase of a new Routan. Explore Volkswagen further today and come to understand the original VW appeal firsthand.