2012 Routan compared with 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Safety
The Volkswagen Routan has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Grand Caravan doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

Both the Routan and the Grand Caravan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Warranty
The Routan comes with free roadside assistance for 3 years 36,000 miles. Volkswagen will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Dodge doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Grand Caravan.

The Routan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Grand Caravan’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Routan for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Grand Caravan.

Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 28th in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Powerranks Volkswagen 29th in reliability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 31st.

Brakes and Stopping
The Routan’s stops shorter than the Grand Caravan.

Chassis
The design of the Volkswagen Routan amounts to more than styling. The Routan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .298 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Grand Caravan (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Routan get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space
The Routan has .4 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear shoulder room and 4.9 inches more third row legroom than the Grand Caravan.

Cargo Capacity
Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the Routan SEL’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Grand Caravan doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Routan. The Grand Caravan doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics
When two different drivers share the Routan SEL, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, foot pedal distance, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Grand Caravan doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Routan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Caravan’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Grand Caravan SXT/Crew/R/T’s power windows, only the driver’s window closes automatically and only the front windows open automatically.

Keyless Access standard on the Routan SEL allows the driver to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the car in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Dodge Grand Caravan doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Routan SEL offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Grand Caravan has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Routan has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Grand Caravan AVP doesn’t offer rear vents.

Economic Advantages
According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Routan is less expensive to operate than the Grand Caravan because it costs $245 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Routan than the Grand Caravan, including $321 less for a water pump, $296 less for an alternator and $76 less for a fuel pump.

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