Overview:
Well getting into this VW Euro Van MV was a bit of a disappointment after all the good things I heard around the industry. You know, like when people say go see this movie, and it stinks. Don’t get me wrong, this van doesn’t stink, and there were only a few disappointments we’ll touch on later. The most obvious difference from Vans of old is the power you get from the new 140-horsepower, 2.8-liter six-cylinder VR6 engine.
In the 1970s I had an older Dodge window van with a big V8. What else from an American automaker, right! What a boat that was. Anyway I was reminded of it as I stepped on the gas in this VW and it actually responded. But it was also smooth and quiet. That old Dodge was a real piece of work – a classic example of Brute muscle and no class. The VW vans of old, on the other hand, had a lot of personality and but absolutely no “GO”. Remember?
I haven’t reviewed many “Camper” style vans, which is what this really is and one of the three trims in fact “is” the classic camper version. Remember the hippie days of the 1960s and the multi colored mural or simply rusty looking VW vans? They were really “In” in those days and probably more because they were V-dub’s. It became a symbol of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment of the day. It was the beginning of the breakaway from traditional American cars. But like the bug, it too could hardly get out of its own way.
I had mixed emotions about the rear passenger area and seats that face each other. But the difference is, of course, a result of the Camper origin of this van, and has some real advantages. I think mom’s and dad’s will appreciate the layout and the inclusion of a folding table and florescent lighting over it. That will give the kids more to do than kick each other and make faces and all that stuff kids do. The rear storage space is good, and because of the high profile of the Euro Van (about 8 inches taller than the Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan), you can haul tall things. Something else you can do in this EuroVan MV you can’t in other minivans, is sleep. The rearmost bench seat opens flat to meet a pad in the back cargo area that together forms a cushioned flat expanse from the back of the front seatbacks to the tailgate. They even come with curtains that just snap over the windows for privacy.
I found getting in and out a bit difficult and I tired of that quickly. It was like getting up into one of those U-Haul trucks when you decide to move and “do-it-yourself”. But in that situation you get to take those back to U-Haul who still own ‘em. Another negative is there’s only one side door, on the passenger side, and it slides manually. Stylish American and Japanese vans are much more convenient by contrast and thus this complaint is very real. While most Euro Van buyers will miss the dual sliding side doors and the power-operated options that aren’t available, VW lovers will embrace this van for other reasons. It’s European. It’s quality built. It looks different from other competitors, and that alone will be reason enough for some to buy it.
Although I like Euro Van’s newfound power, handling is quite another matter. Unlike the low slung competitive vans, the high profile Euro Van takes corners in a “Tipsy” sort of way. That will be a little unsettling for those with a heavy foot and little respect for curvy roads. When it comes to dips the suspension reacts like a tugboat in high seas – stable but rolling motion nontheless. I haven’t been on the bounding mane in a while and rather like the motion anyway. So if you don’t get seasick the ride probably won’t bother you either.
I’ve driven all the competition except the Pontiac Montana and Ford’s Windstar but for the dough Honda Odyssey edges out the others.
The Competition:
Chevrolet Venture $20- $23, Chrysler Town & Country $27 – $36K, Dodge Caravan $18 – $31, Ford Windstar $18- $30K, Honda Odyssey $23 – $25K, Mercury Villager $22 – $25K, Nissan Quest $22 – $26K, Oldsmobile Silhouette $24 – $31K, Plymouth Voyager $18 – $22K, Pontiac Montana $21 – $23K, Toyota Sienna $21 – $26K.
Good News:
European quality workmanship, powerful, roomy, camper like convenience.
Bad News:
Floats over dips, stepladder entry, poor gas economy, one manual sliding side door, boxy styling.
Standard Equipment:
2.8-liter 140-horsepower VR6 engine, front wheel drive, 4-speed automatic trans, independent suspension, power rack and pinion steering, alloy wheels, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, traction control, child safety locks, Climate control, cruise control, heated power mirrors, intermittent wipers, rear window wiper / washer, power windows and door locks, and an AM/FM stereo cassette, folding table with fluorescent light over the passenger area, snap-on curtains
Gas Stats:
15 City and 20 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $31 – $34K.
