Every time a new minivan is introduced, or an existing one gets a redesign, the inevitable question is always asked: "How long will it last?" Over the years, what was once a trendy family vehicle in the '80s is now one not many people care for. I don't recall any new rock bands coming out claiming their music and appearance are inspired by Warrant or Poison.

Our fully-loaded Execline test vehicle is listed at $49,975.

So why is Volkswagen launching a minivan this year? Maybe they believe American families still head out on road trips across the country and need a living room on wheels. And let's face it; a minivan is the most practical vehicle to have when you have several children, or when you're the drummer of a rock band that performs Bon Jovi covers across the province.

But actually, the North America-only Routan isn't a big gamble, since it's basically a restyled Chrysler Town & Country. Volkswagen will be quick to point out to us that they are indeed quite different, but still, the Chrysler minivan isn't a bad starting point for it.

Gutsy engine, high consumption
The Routan retains Chrysler's 4.0-litre V6 engine, which develops 253 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, as well as the excellent 6-speed automatic that includes a manual shift mode. Zero to 100 km/h sprints take 9.5 seconds, which is fine for such a heavy vehicle.

But with so much power driving the front wheels and so much weight behind, the Routan really needs its traction control system in winter to control wheelspin. The van's steering is as vague as Kiss' recollections of the night before and unusual for a Volkswagen, but under normal driving, it serves the driver well.

What's a shame about the Routan's engine is that it consumes a considerable amount of fuel. Honestly, not many minivans today are fuel-sippers, but our average of 14.9 L/100 km is only slightly better than with Mötley Crüe's old tour bus.

The Routan's 4.0-litre V6 engine, which develops 253 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Versatility inside
The driver benefits from a good seating position and the expansive glass surfaces provide excellent visibility. A center console is nestled between the front seats and slides open to store valuables out of sight, but the whole unit is shaky on its base and feels fragile, just like in the Town & Country.

Does it look like a Chrysler inside? Well, a little, but VW replaced the whole dashtop and door panels with their own design, and produced a result just as good as The Cult's cover of 'Born to be Wild'.

The driver benefits from a good seating position and the expansive glass surfaces provide excellent visibility.

In back, 2nd-row captain's chairs offer plenty of room, while the 3rd-row bench can accommodate three people that don't mind rubbing shoulders. However, Chrysler's handy Stow n'Go seating system isn't found in the Routan; we guess that 'verstauen und gehen' didn't sound like something you would want to sit on. Still, the middle-row seats are heated in our top-shelf Execline, which is nice.

The Routan does get Chrysler's DVD entertainment system with two screens and separate input jacks; imagine your two kids each playing with their own game console on their own screen, although there's not enough room to play Rock Band with all the instruments.

When a movie is playing, parents up front can still listen to Europe and Platinum Blonde on SIRIUS while the kids use the wireless headphones, which means peace and quiet on the road. The downside is that you'll bump your head on the ceiling-mounted consoles back there.

Competition
The 2009 Volkswagen Routan starts at a reasonable $27,975, but our fully-loaded Execline test vehicle is listed at--drum solo please, you one-armed Def Leppard percussionist--$49,975. That's a lot of dough for a minivan, no matter how well equipped it is.

The competition is no better, though, when you look at this high-priced list:
Chevrolet Uplander LT2 Extended with options, $38,855
Chrysler Town & Country Limited with options, $47,670
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with options, $40,295
Honda Odyssey Touring, $48,890
Kia Sedona EX Luxury, $38,895
Nissan Quest 3.5 SE with options, $47,948
Pontiac Montana SV6 1SC Extended with options, $38,685
Toyota Sienna Limited AWD with options, $51,969

The Routan does get Chrysler's DVD entertainment system with two screens.

The GM and Kia minivans look a lot cheaper than the rest, but their equipment list is shorter. As for the Sienna, it's the priciest of the lot but the only one to offer all-wheel drive. If you're wondering why the Hyundai Entourage is missing here, it's because it has been discontinued for 2009, which isn't nearly as tragic as when Skid Row broke up.

Conclusion
As far as minivans go, the Routan is a good choice, but don't expect it to offer a involving drive like your typical VW does.

What's a shame about the Routan is that it consumes a considerable amount of fuel.

Yet the minivan, as we know it, is like the dinosaur rock bands that were glorious in the '80s but are still performing gigs today, although only the nostalgic fans would pay to see them. As for VW's decision to market the Routan, only time will tell if they did a good move, but it will probably sell a lot better in the United States than in Canada.

Than again, we might be dead wrong, and the Routan could very well last as long as Aerosmith. Rock on.