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Friday, March 14, 2003

By Donald I. Hammonds, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The 2003 Volkswagen EuroVan is not something you see every day. It's quite different from ordinary minivans, and much more practical.

The EuroVan originated in Europe, where it was used both as a delivery truck and as a passenger van. It was dropped from the Volkswagen lineup about five years ago and returned to the portfolio last year.

Layout and design make it different. While most minivans clearly are aiming for a more carlike driving experience, this one is unabashedly more buslike in its driving ambience.

You sit pretty high up in the seat, and the steering wheel angle makes you feel as if you're driving for the Port Authority.

And the boxy design and layout allow for quite a bit of flexibility. The one I drove came with the Weekender package, which combines day-to-day functionality with the possibilities offered by a camper.

It came with a pop-up roof that has a double bed, window screens for two side sliding windows, and a rear-facing seat that has a refrigerator beneath it. A second battery and alternator come in handy for camping accessories and other needs.

All this flexibility doesn't come cheap -- $31,650, including the Weekender package. The base price is $27,700.

Driving the EuroVan is an interesting experience, though I never got used to the driving position. The gearshift and hand brake made for a long reach down to the floor. I also found the ride on the EuroVan bouncy and at times rough.

The rear-facing back seat was terrific for my kids, who could sit, talk and actually play with each other while I was under way. They got a kick out of the window curtains, which stay open for safety.

The EuroVan's best quality is the sheer durability of the design and its many useful options. Where else are you going to find a vehicle that has a bed, a refrigerator and tons of room for cargo besides? By the way, having a full load along didn't really affect the comfort level of the EuroVan, and the velour fabric covered seats were comfy with adequate support.

You can order a special Winnebago Camper conversion package, which includes a pop-up roof, full swiveling captain's chairs, two-burner low-pressure gas stove, gas refrigerator, stainless steel sink and countertop.

The EuroVan did not have a passenger door on the driver's side like other vans. It was sometimes inconvenient to have to march my troops around to the other side of the car, or load and unload it from the same side.

Despite the EuroVan's boxy shape, it didn't feel tippy or unstable on the road; it cornered, handled and accelerated quite well.

Its relatively stable handling is partly a result of an electronic stabilization program that uses a system of sensors to help automatically stabilize the EuroVan if there's a sudden emergency maneuver.

If you want one, act within the next year or two. Volkswagen is readying a replacement.