Volkswagen Touareg Review

The Volkswagen Touareg is a midsize SUV designed to provide rugged off-road ability as well as a refined everyday driving experience. At this mission, it succeeds, as very few SUVs in the Touareg's price range can match its go-anywhere ability or luxurious five-passenger interior.

Engineered to offer the type of on-road driving dynamics VW drivers have come to expect, the Touareg was co-developed with Porsche and shares its basic architecture with the Cayenne. In 2008, the Touareg was renamed the VW Touareg 2, but VW dropped the "2" two years later to once again make it just the VW Touareg. Got that? Regardless, there aren't many differences between them.

Current Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg features a choice of a gasoline V6 or a turbodiesel V6, with a six-speed automatic and four-wheel drive standard on both 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 221 hp and a whopping 407 lb-ft.

Standard equipment on the base VR6 trim includes a power liftgate, automatic wipers, a sunroof, rear parking sensors, heated power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and satellite radio. The V6 TDI shares this equipment roster but with the turbodiesel V6 under the hood. Options include an adjustable air suspension, xenon headlights, real wood trim, leather upholstery, driver memory functions and a touchscreen hard-drive-based navigation system with multimedia inputs.

In our reviews, we've found that the Volkswagen Touareg is a well-designed SUV that offers commendable driving dynamics and -- thanks to its solid German construction (read: hefty curb weight) -- a feeling of indestructibility. The Touareg's base V6 provides ample power, but fuel economy suffers. Other downsides include mediocre backseat and cargo space. Given these shortcomings, we'd give the nod to the Touareg TDI, but with so many other capable luxury midsize crossovers currently on the market we'd suggest taking a look around first.

Used Volkswagen Touareg Models

The VW Touareg debuted in 2004. 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 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.

The Volkswagen Touareg 2 debuted for 2008, though it was more of a refresh than an actual redesign. 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. (221 hp and a still robust 407 lb-ft of torque). The V8 was offered for one more year before being discontinued.