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Auto Profile: 2002 Volkswagen EuroVan MV
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| See what sets the EuroVan apart from the competition |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 259 ( -34 -13.12% ) | | Author | Phil Ruth |
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Description:
One look tells you that Volkswagen EuroVan is not your typical minivan. Where others such as the Honda Odyssey and Ford Windstar use sloped hoods and sculpted sides to make them seem more car-like, the boxy, angular EuroVan stands tall. The numbers confirm its larger presence - the EuroVan is more than six inches taller than an Odyssey, and comparing the manufacturers' figures reveals a 7.3-cubic foot advantage in interior volume.
The EuroVan's proportions are different as well; while the Odyssey is nearly six inches wider than it is tall, the EuroVan is exactly four inches taller than it is wide. Those seemingly top-heavy proportions would not surprise those who have owned any of the EuroVan's predecessors. After all, this van comes from a long line of high-ceilinged vehicles that often doubled as campers. Given the EuroVan's dimensions, VW did an admirable job in making it pleasant to drive. Steering is precise and communicative, and brake feel is reassuringly firm. The tall body can't help but feel tipsy in turns, though, and it leans heartily on highway entrance ramps. The EuroVan doesn't goad the driver to test the vehicle's limits, but it does feel planted to the road.
The EuroVan's performance is a vast improvement over its predecessors as well. The 201-horsepower, 2.8-liter V6 engine keeps this nearly 4,500-pound vehicle from feeling underpowered. Off-the-line acceleration and high-speed passing are adequate. Other vans offer more power - the Odyssey, for example, has 240 horses at its disposal - but VW loyalists will find this newfound oomph to be a revelation. The interior is a mixed bag. It's classy: the EuroVan has many of the high-quality fittings that have made upscale stars out of the Jetta and the Passat. The steering wheel has a thick grip; the seats are firmly supportive; the dash and door panels feel as solid as an Audi's. Textures are tasteful, and the fabrics are supple to the touch.
The driving position is less than ideal, though. The wheel juts up at a bus-like angle, and it neither tilts nor telescopes. The front wheels bite into legroom - the driver must plant his or her left foot up on top of the encroaching wheel well. It feels awkward at first, but there is enough move-around space to prevent cramping on long trips. And since you're sitting up as high as the Suburban drivers, the view out is panoramic. Prices for the EuroVan were once much higher than those of its minivan competitors. They came down for 2001 and remain that way for '02. Two versions are available: the 2002 GLS starts at $26,200, and the higher-line MV bumps up slightly to $27,700. That's about average for a moderately equipped minivan.
True to its roots, the EuroVan (MV only) is available with a $3,335 "Weekender Package" camper option. This package adds a two-person bed, a fridge, window curtains and a number of other amenities. In terms of other options, we'd skip the tested MV's $1,000 power glass sunroof, as it could slide back only halfway. On the other hand, the $400 front heated seats felt like a worthy indulgence, as they were quick to become warm. Thanks to a boost in performance and a drop in price, the EuroVan is more competitive than ever - and it has a unique personality, which is a rarity in the minivan market. Sales targets are modest, so the EuroVan should hold VW in good stead until the stylish new Microbus hits the U.S. market sometime in 2003.
--By Phil Ruth |
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