Volkswagen Routan Line Up Review

The 2010 Volkswagen Routan is offered in three models, S, SE, and SEL. The S and SE models come with a 197-hp 3.8-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. The SEL comes with a 253-hp 4.0-liter V6 with six-speed automatic. All models have front-wheel drive.

Routan S ($25,900) comes with cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, four-way manually adjustable front bucket seats, two-passenger reclining second-row bench seat, third-row stowable split folding bench seat, manual side doors, air conditioning, cruise control, conversation mirror, power heated exterior mirrors, power front windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, auxiliary audio input jack, automatic headlights, engine immoblilizer, three years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance, and P225/65R16 tires on steel wheels with wheelcovers.

Routan SE ($30,600) adds V-Tex Leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, six-disc CD changer, Bluetooth, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, lumbar adjustment for front passenger seat, power-adjustable pedals, second-row captain's chairs, power side doors, overhead storage system, steering wheel audio controls, second- and third-row sunshades, universal garage door opener, security alarm (in addition to the engine immobilizer), and P225/65R17 tires on alloy wheels. The optional video entertainment package ($2000) includes second and third-row nine-inch video screens with headphones and remote; one year of Sirius satellite radio; Joybox AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 sound system with hard disc drive and USB connection; rearview camera, and power liftgate with floodlamp. The navigation package ($3000) adds voice-activated navigation to all of the above.

Routan SEL ($36,600) gets real leather upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control, interior air filter, power sunroof, power folding third-row seats, power rear liftgate with floodlamp, fog lights, the Joybox HDD sound system with navigation, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated first and second-row seats, a high-line front floor console with adjustable storage, and Bluetooth Uconnect wireless cell phone link. The video entertainment package ($2000) again optional.

Routan SEL Premium ($42,500) adds high-intensity discharge headlights, chrome mirrors and door handles, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, premium driver information center, remote engine starting, 506-watt nine-speaker sound system, eight-way power front seats, memory for the driver's seat and pedals, 115-volt power outlet, rear park assist, and the complete navigation/entertainment package.

Dealer-installed accessories are also available, ranging from running boards to several different roof racks and a range of towing equipment. New for 2010 is a dealer-installed wireless router that can connect to devices up to 150 feet away.

Safety equipment includes dual-stage front airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, ABS with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. Optional safety features include rear park assist and a rearview camera.