Complaint: In a world of good minivans, two of them from which the Routan is derived, there is no compelling reason to buy the Routan. Ride, acceleration and handling: It rides, feels and accelerates like a Chrysler minivan. You'll get where you are going just as slowly in a Routan as you will in the seminal Chrysler model. Head-turning quotient: It is slightly more attractive than the Chrysler models inside and out, which isn't saying much. After all, how many ways can you restyle a tube, or a breadbox? Body style: The Routan is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive minivan with sliding side doors (power sliding doors optional) and a lift-gate in the rear. Engines/transmission: The tested Routan SE and the base 'S' model come with a 3.8-liter V-6 that develops 197 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. The upscale Routan SEL is outfitted with a 4.0-liter V-6 that puts out a maximum 253 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed transmission that can be operated automatically or manually. Capacities: The Routan has seats for seven people. Cargo capacity with center and rear seats up is 32.7 cubic feet. It goes to 144 cubic feet with center and rear seats lowered. The fuel tank holds 20.5 gallons of recommended regular unleaded gasoline. Mileage: We averaged 14 miles per gallon in Washington and New York City, where we repeatedly wound up idling in traffic jams. Average highway mileage was substantially better at 25 miles per gallon. Safety: Standard equipment includes front and rear disc brakes (ventilated front/solid rear) with four-wheel antilock protection, emergency braking assistance, electronic stability and traction control, and side and head air bags. Pricing: The base price on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan SE is $29,700. Dealer's invoice price on that model is $27,711. The base price on the comparable Chrysler Town & Country is $29,645. Options, such as onboard navigation and leather seating surfaces, easily can push the sales prices of both models to $35,000. Prices are sourced from Chrysler, Edmunds.com and Cars.com, an affiliate of The Washington Post. Purse-strings note: Again, we find no compelling reason to buy this one. But if you must have 'German engineering' in your minivan, we suggest that you drive for the best price possible. 