Car Gazing
Eunique: VW's EuroVan like nothing else – almost
By Derek Price
If any vehicle defines the era of peace, love and marijuana, it's the
classic Volkswagen Microbus.
Sure, it's blatantly stereotypical to think of the old VW love bus painted
in brightly colored daisies and dotted with peace signs as a symbol of the
turbulent 1960s, but no other vehicle epitomizes American counterculture
like this German people mover.
Fourty years later, it's hard not to wonder if a few chromosomes still
remain from that original Microbus in Volkswagen's lineup. VW's EuroVan,
the
modern-day equivalent of the Microbus, is better in every way – it's
roomier, more refined, much more powerful, and its heater actually
works –
but some of that classic quirkiness from the VW family still shines
through.
For starters, its controls and gauges are straight out of the 1980s, a far
cry from VeeDub's highly refined and superbly engineered sedans that sit
next to the EuroVan on dealers' lots. Cupholders are right on the
floorboard, exactly where you don't want them while driving, and climbing
into the driver's seat is almost like climbing Everest. If you can get to
the seat without needing an oxygen mask, the view is great, much like that
in a full-size SUV except without the big honkin' truck-like hood.
And how's this for funky?: You can order a EuroVan with the "weekender
package" that includes a pop-up roof, two-person bed and refrigerator for
overnight excursions to the latest reiteration of Woodstock.
Other than having gobs of personality (something becoming rarer in the
automotive world each year), it's hard to find a logical reason to pick
the
EuroVan over its more well-known competitors, the Dodge Caravan and Honda
Odyssey. Both the Caravan and Odyssey offer more cargo space and
significantly more refinement at a lower price, but they're almost
embarrassingly bland for the style-conscious buyer.
While the EuroVan's boxy styling is far from pretty, it's refreshingly
different from the follow-me look used on other family vehicles. It's also
functional, allowing plenty of head and shoulder room for passengers
throughout the van, and even a decent amount of cargo space behind the
back
seat.
Driving the EuroVan is similarly disappointing when compared with the
Caravan and Odyssey. While it does have an independent rear suspension for
good control, its ride is stiff and jarring, certainly less comfortable
than
the plush ride many American buyers expect. Steering is perfect, however,
with a better and more responsive feel than some sports sedans, and brakes
are more than adequate.
There's nothing to complain about under the hood, too, as a peppy
six-cylinder engine happily squeezes out 201 horsepower. Compared with
about
40 horsepower on the original Microbus, the EuroVan accelerates like a
Ferrari.
Two versions of the van – GLS and MV – are available. GLS includes
seating
for seven forward-facing passengers, along with 16-inch wheels, antilock
brakes, stability control, dual-zone climate control, and power windows,
locks and mirrors. MV is the same as GLS except for two backward-facing
seats and a rear bench that folds down into a bed.
Perhaps the best thing about the EuroVan is the same as it was in the
1960s
– being different. This van has nothing in common with the "me too"
attitude of family sedans, minivans and SUVs, instead opting for a unique
experience that only Volkswagen can create. That's what makes the EuroVan
special.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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