routan

Routan is a minivan marketed by Volkswagen as a North American adaptation of Chrysler’s minivan lineup. It was introduced in 2008 as a 2009 model and was produced through the 2012 model year. The vehicle was assembled at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The Routan was part of a collaboration between Volkswagen Group and Chrysler LLC to offer a spacious family vehicle with VW branding for the North American market.

Development and design center on Chrysler’s minivan platform, with Routan sharing its underpinnings and many components with the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. The vehicle was designed to accommodate seven passengers and provide flexible interior configurations, along with safety and comfort features typical of its era. Powertrains were supplied by Chrysler, using V6 engines paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Routan was marketed exclusively in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada. Despite offering the practicality of a Chrysler minivan under a Volkswagen badge and some VW-specific interior touches, its sales were modest in a competitive segment dominated by other brands. Volkswagen discontinued Routan after the 2012 model year, and it did not receive a direct successor within VW’s lineup. The Routan remains a notable example of a cross-brand collaboration in the modern automotive era.