Is the Volkswagen Routan a Dodge Caravan?
No, the Volkswagen Routan is not a Dodge Caravan. The Routan was a minivan produced by Volkswagen from 2008 to 2012, but it was based on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan platform, not the Dodge Caravan specifically.
Explaining the Relationship Between the Volkswagen Routan and Dodge Caravan
The Volkswagen Routan was a rebadged version of the Chrysler minivans, which included the Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, and Chrysler Voyager. Volkswagen partnered with Chrysler to produce the Routan, which shared the same underlying platform and many components with the Chrysler minivans, but had a distinct Volkswagen-designed exterior and interior.
While the Routan shared a close relationship with the Dodge Caravan, it was not a direct clone or rebadge of the Caravan model. The Routan had its own unique styling, features, and equipment levels that differentiated it from the Dodge Caravan and other Chrysler minivans.
Key Differences Between the Volkswagen Routan and Dodge Caravan
- Exterior Design: The Routan had a distinct Volkswagen-designed exterior, including the front grille, headlights, and taillights, which gave it a different look compared to the Dodge Caravan.
- Interior Design: The Routan's interior was also unique, with Volkswagen-specific materials, features, and layout, rather than a direct copy of the Chrysler minivan interior.
- Powertrain: The Routan was available with Volkswagen-sourced engines, including a 3.8-liter V6 and a 4.0-liter V6, rather than the Chrysler-sourced engines used in the Dodge Caravan.
- Pricing and Positioning: The Routan was positioned as a more premium and upscale minivan compared to the Dodge Caravan, with a higher starting price and more standard features.
While the Volkswagen Routan shared a close relationship with the Dodge Caravan, it was a distinct model with its own unique characteristics and design. The Routan was Volkswagen's attempt to enter the minivan market by leveraging Chrysler's platform and manufacturing capabilities, but with a Volkswagen-specific twist.
Why was the Routan discontinued?
After four years of dismal sales (despite a costly advertising campaign with Brook Shields) the Routan has apparently been discontinued. The news was apparently slipped in under the radar into an announcement of production adjustments at the plant in Windsor, Ontario.
What vehicle is similar to a Dodge Caravan?
The Chrysler Pacifica and the Dodge Grand Caravan are FCA's most renowned minivans. They are well designed and equipped with innovative technology for you and your entire family.
What minivan does Volkswagen make?
A Volkswagen van known as the microbus helped cement the brand's presence in popular culture. Now the Volkswagen van is back in the form of the all-electric ID Buzz. The new electric Volkswagen van has seating for up to seven people and is stuffed with fun callbacks to its heritage.
What minivans does Dodge make?
Dodge Grand Caravan and its shorter-wheelbase counterpart, Dodge Caravan, have a storied history among Dodge Brand models.
What was the old name of the VW minivan?
Known officially (depending on body type) as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus – or informally as the Volkswagen Station Wagon (US), Bus (also US), Camper (UK) or Bulli (Germany), it was initially given the factory designation 'Type 2', as it followed – and was for decades based on – the original 'Volkswagen' (" ...
What is a Dodge Caravan considered?
The Dodge Caravan is a series of minivans manufactured by Chrysler from the 1984 through 2020 model years. The Dodge version of the Chrysler minivans, was marketed as both a passenger van and a cargo van (the only version of the model line offered in the latter configuration).
Is VW owned by Chrysler?
The Volkswagen brand is owned and managed by Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, also known as Volkswagen AG. In English, this company is referred to as the Volkswagen Group.
Who makes the VW Routan?
| Volkswagen Routan | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler LLC (2009) Chrysler Group LLC (2009–2014) FCA US LLC (2014) |
| Production | 2008–2013 |
| Model years | 2009–2014 |
| Assembly | Canada: Windsor, Ontario (Windsor Assembly) |
What did Dodge replace the caravan with?
Its replacement will be the Chrysler Voyager, which is an entry-level version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and will offer similar pricing and features to its Grand Caravan predecessor. In Canada, a version similar to the Pacifica will be sold as the Chrysler Grand Caravan.
Is a VW van the same as a Dodge Caravan?
Chrysler Roots, Volkswagen Refinements
At its core, the Routan was a Chrysler product, a rebadged version of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. This collaboration wasn't uncommon; car manufacturers have a long history of platform sharing to optimize production costs.
