Overall Safety Performance of the Routan
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted crash tests to evaluate the safety of these minivans. The Volkswagen Routan, evaluated under the same criteria as the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, achieved a “Good” overall evaluation. This top rating indicates robust protection in the event of a crash. Specifically, the Routan earned an “Acceptable” rating for structure and safety cage integrity, demonstrating a solid framework to withstand crash forces.
Injury Measures and Head Protection
Detailed assessments of driver and rear passenger injury measures further solidify the Routan’s safety profile. For driver injury measures, the Routan received “Good” ratings across the board for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg protection. This indicates a low risk of significant injuries to these critical body regions for the driver in a frontal crash. Similarly, driver head protection was also rated “Good,” highlighting effective protection from head injuries.
For rear passenger injury measures, the Volkswagen Routan again demonstrated strong performance, achieving “Good” ratings for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg injury protection. Rear passenger head protection also earned a “Good” rating. These results confirm that the Routan is designed to protect occupants in all seating positions effectively.
Technical Insights from Crash Tests
Crash test data provides technical measurements that underpin these safety ratings. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side showed minimal intrusion into the driver’s space, indicating the vehicle’s structure effectively resisted deformation. Driver injury measures, such as Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and forces on the neck, shoulder, torso, and pelvis, were all within acceptable limits, further supporting the “Good” ratings. Likewise, passenger injury measures demonstrated similar low-risk outcomes.
Conclusion: Volkswagen Routan as a Safe Minivan Choice
The IIHS crash test results affirm the Volkswagen Routan (2011-2012 models) as a safe minivan option. Its “Good” overall rating, coupled with “Good” ratings in critical injury measures for both driver and rear passengers, provides assurance of its safety performance. While the Routan is no longer in production, these safety ratings remain relevant for consumers considering purchasing a used model, offering peace of mind for families prioritizing safety.
