The Volkswagen Routan does 20 mpg combined (17 city, 25 highway), which works out to about $1,920 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4L 6-cyl does 20 mpg while 3.6L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $0 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Volkswagen Routan engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Volkswagen Routan ranges from 20 down to 20 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $0 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L 6-cyl | 17 / 25 | 2009–2010 | $1,920 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 17 / 25 | 2011–2014 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
The Volkswagen Routan burns a gallon every 20 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 600 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$10 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,100 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen Routan gives up 8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 25 out there against 17 in town, a 47% drop worth $723 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25 mpg | $1,536 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (47%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Routan changed over the years
Combined figure across the 6 model years the Routan was rated in, all of them at 20 mpg. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2012 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2010 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Routan — 2 engines across 2009–2014. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,100. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volkswagen Routan get?
20 mpg combined on average — 17 in the city and 25 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2009–2014.
How much does a Volkswagen Routan cost in fuel per year?
About $1,920 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,600 over five years, or 0.160 dollars a mile.
Which Routan engine is the most economical?
The 4L 6-cyl at 20 mpg, against 20 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $0 a year.
Is the Routan good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Routan figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volkswagen Routan is $3,100 against the $1,920 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 20 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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