2004 Volkswagen Touareg Review
2004 Volkswagen Touareg Review
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Used Touareg for sale
Appraise This CarVolkswagen Touareg model years
Volkswagen Touareg types
- SUV
- Diesel
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Upscale interior, polished road manners, amazingly adept off-road, solid construction, lengthy standard equipment list.
Cons
- Poor fuel economy, not a lot of room in the backseat, no in-dash CD changer.
What’s new
The five-passenger Touareg is an all-new midsize SUV from Volkswagen. Designed to provide both excellent handling on pavement and a high level of off-road ability, the Touareg, despite its unibody design, is a real SUV, not a soft-roader. Alongside that, buyers can look forward to beautifully furnished cabins equipped with plenty of standard convenience and safety features.
Edmunds says
A pleasant blend of the pavement-dwelling crossover and the rugged off-roader swathed in Volkswagen style.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.84 per gallon for premium unleaded in Illinois.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$385/mo for Touareg V6
Touareg V6
vs
$216/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Volkswagen attacks the 2003 luxury market in earnest with a two-pronged strategy: the Phaeton sedan in the super-luxury segment and the Touareg sport/utility in the luxury SUV marketplace.
Co-developed with Porsche to save investment costs, the Volkswagen Touareg shares the Porsche Cayenne's basic platform and structure, but little else. The name stems from the African Sahara, where it means "knights of the desert," and is used to identify a people known for their traditions and ability to adapt to difficult conditions. It is sized to be a smidge longer and a skosh wider than a BMW X5.
While Volkswagen may change the name for the vehicle's launch in the United States, the hardware will remain the same as its European counterpart. A unibody crossover SUV, the Touareg sports permanent four-wheel-drive system comprised of a transfer case, multi-plate clutch and three locking differentials. Though the hardware sounds serious, the Touareg is designed to perform as well on the road as it does off, where the majority of owners are likely to drive. Still, up to 100 percent of the engine's power can be transferred to an individual axle if the need arises.
Two engines are likely to be available when the Touareg arrives stateside. Standard will be a 230-horsepower 3.2-liter V6, while the same 300-horse 4.2-liter V8 found in the Audi A6 and A8 will be available under the truck's aluminum hood.
Underpinning the new VW SUV will be a driver-selectable, fully pneumatic, double-wishbone suspension with continuous damping control and a feature that automatically lowers the truck closer to the ground as speeds increase. Volkswagen went to great lengths to keep noise, vibration and harshness from irritating occupants. For example, the front sub-frame uses special noise insulation to help keep the cabin serene.
Inside the Touareg there is room for five adults in a luxuriously outfitted atmosphere. Front passengers get multi-adjustable seats, while those in the rear benefit from a three-zone climate control system that lets them set their own temperature. The airbag system is comprehensive, including front, side and curtain airbags for maximum protection. Active head restraints further keep front seat occupants from getting hurt.
Other notable technologies that will appear on the Touareg include ABS with hydraulic brake assist (HBA), electronic stability programming (ESP), and engine braking control (EBC).
The Touareg is set to debut at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, and should arrive in U.S. showrooms in the middle of the 2003 calendar year.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Volkswagen Touareg.
5 star(66%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(12%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(1%)
599 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Been a great car for us
VW Fan, 08/22/2010
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
The car has the amenities of a luxury car, handles like a sports car, has the power of a muscle car, all with great off road capabilities. 100K+ miles and has never left us stranded. The body style doesn't show its age and still turns heads on the road. We live in the country and it has survived the gravel roads as an everyday driver for my wife. Its great for travel (other than the … mileage) and gives a sense of safety and security no matter the driving conditions.
5 out of 5 stars
Where are you guys shopping at?!
Diana, 01/30/2016
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
I bought this car used at 100,000 had it for over 2 years. I've had absolutely no issues. I've had my breaks changed and tires and it didn't break the bank. Word to the wise make friends with someone who is familiar with these cars. My mechanic changes my breaks for under $100 [i purchased the brakes] my tires are 20" run me $123 a piece cash! Shop around and you won't spend so much the … dealer over charges EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!!'
5 out of 5 stars
Love my Tourareg
Karen, 01/23/2016
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
I really love this car and have been driving it for the past six years. I am really sad that the new SUVs do not come with the V-8. Sad sad sad!
3.13 out of 5 stars
What was I thinking!
J Walker, 09/22/2009
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
Problems: $1800 to replace wires in electrical system (quoted$6000); $175 to replace power mirror knob; $875 for driveshaft; $700 to fix AC and rear latch release; $50 per coil wire, bought at least 8, not to mention plugs--currently been told airbag inflator needs replaced ($580) and catalytic converter ($1000). My father is a car dealer, so I bought this from the VW lease line at … the auction w/39,000 miles. Had to replace the coil wires and plugs within 1 month. I've been able to save money on some parts and labor with one of my dad's mechanics. Only take to VW when I have to. Always some light on-tire; airbag; brake sensor (need to replace the sensors). Be prepared to spend $$$
2004 Touareg Highlights
SUV
V6
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $35,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $385/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 31 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Touareg include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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