2001 Volkswagen EuroVan: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Volkswagen adds 61 hp and cuts $5000 from the base price in an effort to spur sales of its slow-selling minivan. EuroVan offers people-mover GLS and recreation-oriented MV (MultiVan) models, both with a revised 201-hp V6 and automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, an antiskid system, and new 16-inch alloy wheels in place of 15s. EuroVan has a manual right-side sliding door. Dual side doors, power doors, and side airbags are unavailable. EuroVan seats seven with two 2nd-row seats (rear-facing on MV) and a 3rd-row bench that, in the MV, folds into a twin bed. Optional for MV is a pop-up roof incorporating a 2-person bed. Fog lights and new premium audio system also are standard. Long-wheelbase Camper version with stove, sink, and refrigerator due later in model year.

COMPETITION

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that the new Dodge Caravan is still one of the best minivans you can buy. It offers all of the creature comforts in a pleasing package at a fair price. Our other Best Buy is the Honda Odyssey. It's a little bit smaller than the Dodge, but more sporty to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat.

Trailing at a close second are the Recommended Chevy Venture, Ford Windstar, and Toyota Sienna. Though these vans are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, we feel they can't match the road manners of our two Best Buys. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they are mechanically similar to the class-leading Caravan, they don't offer the breadth of model choices.