Volkswagen Touareg Review

As the popularity of SUVs grows, it seems that much of the original rugged off-road personality these models were known for has been bred out of the segment in favor of on-pavement comfort and drivability. Among luxury SUVs, that shift seems even more evident. The Volkswagen Touareg was one of the sport-utilities to cling to those off-road roots, but it's recently made the shift toward the everyday.

It's hard to argue with the results, though. The first-generation Touareg was a capable model known for its high-class interior, off-road ability and respectable towing capacity. But it was also heavy and earned subpar fuel economy. The new Touareg lacks off-road chops but is otherwise a superior vehicle that's more in line with what consumers want from their modern SUV.

Current Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg has been fully redesigned for 2011 with a new focus on on-road driving dynamics and comfort. Compared to the first generation, this latest version displays VW's latest design language, which is most evident in its grille. Under the skin, the Touareg differentiates itself from past models by going without a dual-range transfer case, which greatly enhanced its off-road capabilities. The resulting loss of about 400 pounds benefits the majority of drivers who spend most of their time on pavement rather than dirt.

The Touareg remains unchanged or sees improvements in other categories, though. With a maximum capacity of five passengers, those seated in back benefit from added rear legroom and a reclining seatback. The Touareg's interior also scores points for high-quality materials that lend it a look and feel that we associate with luxury-branded vehicles.

The latest Touareg features a choice of a gasoline V6, a turbodiesel V6 or a gas/electric hybrid. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard on all models. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 280 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, while the turbodiesel V6 TDI generates 225 hp and a whopping 406 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid variant features a supercharged, direct-injection 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine paired with an electric motor that combine to produce 380 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque.

Standard equipment for the base Sport trim includes bi-xenon headlights, a power tailgate, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power front seats, leatherette upholstery and a navigation system. Stepping up to the Lux trim gets you a panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery. The Executive adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, keyless ignition/entry and a premium sound system. These trim levels are available with either the gasoline or diesel engines. Opting for the Hybrid adds a power-adjustable steering column and additional front seat functions.

In our reviews, we've found that the Volkswagen Touareg is a well-designed crossover SUV that offers commendable driving dynamics. The Touareg's base V6 is a solid pick, but we've found the V6 TDI diesel more to our liking and well worth the sticker premium. On the other hand, the Hybrid model boasts the type of power and performance of a V8 engine, but its less-than-frugal fuel economy may fall short of some expectations. In essence, it consumes about as much as a V6 engine would.

Compared to other SUVs in this class, the Touareg comes up a bit short in terms of cargo capacity. Otherwise, the VW compares favorably to its competition as well as a few higher-priced luxury models.

Used Volkswagen Touareg Models
The first-generation VW Touareg debuted in 2004 and lasted through 2010. Initially, it came equipped with either a 220-hp 3.2-liter V6 or a 310-hp 4.2-liter V8. Many owners considered this V6 to be underpowered, so going with the V8, especially now that depreciation has set in, probably isn't a bad idea. VW also sold a few range-topping Touareg V10 TDI models that first year -- the TDI had a diesel-fueled turbocharged V10 displacing 5.0 liters. It was rated at 310 hp and a stout 553 lb-ft of torque. Every engine was connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The V10 was dropped for 2005, while the original V6 received 20 more hp. Changes for '06 included upgrading the optional CD-based navigation system to DVDs and adding an available rearview camera, an auxiliary multimedia MP3 connector and a 115-volt power outlet (in place of the previous 12-volt source) in the rear cargo area. The V10 engine also made its return to the U.S. market very late into the 2006 calendar year.

Some notable engine changes occurred for 2007. For that year Volkswagen brought out a new 3.6-liter V6 engine that produced 276 hp, while the Touareg's 4.2-liter V8 was given a boost to 350 hp.

In 2008, the Touareg was renamed the Touareg 2 and received a slight refresh (not a full redesign), but VW dropped the "2" two years later to once again make it just the VW Touareg. Changes included updated styling and revised feature content. This was also the last year for the big V10; it was replaced for '09 with the V6 TDI, which made 221 hp and a still robust 407 lb-ft of torque). The V8 was also discontinued at the end of the 2009 model year.

Of the few demerits attributed to the first-generation Volkswagen Touareg, mediocre backseat and cargo space were the most prominent. The lack of a third-row seat and the standard suspension's stiff ride also managed to dull the Touareg's shine, though an optional (and pricey) air suspension fixed the ride quality issues. Overall, the Touareg proved to be an excellent road tripper, with a luxuriously quiet cabin on the highway and smooth-shifting transmission.