2012 Volkswagen Routan

header-image
Rating7.1

Ranked #4 in 

Van
Write Review
$27,020 - $44,280
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Comfortable seats

Limited driver legroom

New blind-spot warning system and Rear Cross-Path Detection on the top-of-the-line SEL Premium

Capable powertrain

Impractical second-row seat

SEL models get keyless entry/ignition and rain-sensing wipers

Upscale cabin

Unimpressive gas mileage

Specs & Features

$27,020

price

283 hp @ 6350 rpm

horsepower

260 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

In the realm of midsize vans, the 2012 Volkswagen Routan is well known. Prices go up to MSRP $44,280, with 4 trims being offered. With gorgeous, and in fact quite roomy, interiors, the Volkswagen Routan offers seating for up to 6 people. There is a single-engine on offer, which is a 3.6L V6 engine, attached to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Volkswagen Routan makes 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This returns a combined fuel economy of 20 MPG. Despite a curb weight of 4,494 pounds, this engine feels potent enough. Mazda offers a decent amount of practical as well as cosmetic features, further increasing the prospects of the Volkswagen Routan among competitors like the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna, and the Kia Sedona.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Volkswagen Routan Minivan is an impressive upscale offering in its segment. There are four trims offered and we recommend getting the higher-end SEL trim that comes well-equipped with features. It comes loaded with features including automatic headlights, a sunroof, remote starting, automatic three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third-row seat, and a rearview camera over the lower trims. 

Trims

    S
    $27,020 onwards
    • 16-inch steel Wheels
    • 60-40 split-bench Third row seats
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Dual zone manual front air conditioning
    • Heated mirrors
    • Rear air conditioning with controls
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    SE
    $32,010 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Leatherette Seat trim
    SEL
    $37,890 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Navigation system
    • Parking assist
    • Rain sensing windsheild wiper
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    SEL Premium
    $44,280 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights

Compare to similar cars

Price

$20,995- $29,995

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.4

Horsepower

283 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

260 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$27,020- $44,280

Gasoline

7.08

283 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

$25,060- $40,570

Gasoline

7.54

187 hp @ 5800 rpm

186 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

7

Read Review

$29,995- $39,650

Gasoline

7.68

283 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

$28,375- $43,825

Gasoline

8.13

248 hp @ 5700 rpm

250 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

Read Review

$25,990- $42,350

Gasoline

7.3

260 hp @ 6000 rpm

240 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

2012 Volkswagen Routan vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.3 sec--
    7.3 sec15.7 sec120 mph
    7.7 sec--
    8.3 sec16.2 sec114 mph
    8.5 sec16.6 sec118 mph
    9.5 sec17.2 sec-

    2012 Volkswagen Routan vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg20.5 gal.348.5/512.5 mi.
      18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg21 gal.378/567 mi.
      19 mpg24 mpg21 mpg20 gal.380/480 mi.
      19 mpg24 mpg21 mpg20 gal.380/480 mi.
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg20 gal.340/500 mi.
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg20 gal.340/500 mi.

      2012 Volkswagen Routan vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        202.5 in.76.9 in.68.9 in.6.1 in.121.2 in.
        202.9 in.79.2 in.68.4 in.4.5 in.118.1 in.
        202.8 in.78.7 in.67.9 in.5.6 in.121.2 in.
        202.5 in.76.9 in.68.9 in.6.1 in.121.2 in.
        200.8 in.77.6 in.73 in.6.2 in.118.1 in.
        200.2 in.78.2 in.68.9 in.6.5 in.119.3 in.

        2012 Volkswagen Routan vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          32.7 cu.ft.163.5 cu.ft.144.4 cu.ft.
          39.1 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.150 cu.ft.
          25.7 cu.ft.177.8 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.
          38.4 cu.ft.172.5 cu.ft.148.5 cu.ft.
          33 cu.ft.163.5 cu.ft.143.8 cu.ft.
          33 cu.ft.156.1 cu.ft.143.8 cu.ft.

          2012 Volkswagen Routan vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            144.4 cu.ft.32.7 cu.ft.144.4 cu.ft.-
            85.8 cu.ft.38.4 cu.ft.148.5 cu.ft.-
            15.1 cu.ft.33 cu.ft.143.8 cu.ft.-
            18.8 cu.ft.33 cu.ft.143.8 cu.ft.-
            108.4 cu.ft.25.7 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.99 ft.
            150 cu.ft.39.1 cu.ft.150 cu.ft.-

            2012 Volkswagen Routan vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3600 lbs.1200 lbs.4494 lbs.
              3600 lbs.1540 lbs.4510 lbs.
              3600 lbs.1398 lbs.4507 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1451 lbs.4367 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1550 lbs.4275 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1340 lbs.4337 lbs.

              Top Volkswagen Cars

              2012 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid SUV

              Horsepower : 380 hp

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7.1 sec

              #1

              2012 Volkswagen Routan

              Horsepower : 283 hp @ 6350 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #2

              2012 Volkswagen Touareg

              Horsepower : 280 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #3

              2012 Volkswagen GTI

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 7.4 sec

              #4

              2012 Volkswagen CC

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 6.8 sec

              #5

              2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #6

              2012 Volkswagen Beetle

              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #7

              2012 Volkswagen Golf

              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 7.7 sec

              #8

              2012 Volkswagen Jetta

              Horsepower : 115 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 11 sec

              #9

              Other Fullsize Minivan