PROS
Great on-road ride, Tenacious off-road ability, First-class cabin
CONS
Subpar SUV fuel economy, High price tag for a VW, Hard-to-fold rear seats
Today's automakers can't afford to stick to core values, dealers won't stand for it. The more market segments a manufacturer competes in, the more sales are possible. Even though Volkswagen made its mark selling sensible, fun-to-drive cars with great fuel economy, dealers wanted a sport-utility vehicle. VW, in its zeal to build the best sport-utility on Earth, partnered with Porsche to produce a vehicle that's as capable on road as it is off road.
Called Touareg, it was introduced in 2003 along with a Porsche companion called Cayenne. For 2008 Volkswagen adds a "2" to the Touareg name and gives it mildly updated front and rear styling, more standard features, and more powerful V6 and V8 engines.
Touareg seats five on two front bucket seats and a three-place rear bench. Three models are offered: V6, V8, and V10 TDI. All have a single-piece rear tailgate and come standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt-telescope steering wheel, wood and aluminum interior trim, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, and sunroof.
V6 models get a 3.6-liter 280-horsepower V6. V8's get a 4.2-liter 350-horsepower V8, and V10 TDI models come with a twin-turbo 5.0-liter diesel V10 that produces 310 horsepower. All models come with a six-speed manual transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, which includes a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, electronic locking center differential, and traction control.
Standard safety features include antilock brakes, stability control, brake assist, front and rear park assist, and front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Rear-view camera is optional.
Vehicle Tested |
2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2
Base Price: $48,320
As-Tested Price: $59,700
Built in Slovakia.
Options
Luxury Package
Technologie Package
4-Corner Air Suspension
Rear Differential Lock
Trailer Hitch
Engine: DOHC 4.2-liter V8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive Wheels: fullt-time four-wheel drive |
Available features include air adjustable suspension, keyless starting, power liftgate, navigation system, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and four-zone climate control. Off-road aficionados will appreciate the available out-side mounted spare and locking rear differential, while on-road fans will welcome the optional 19-inch performance wheels and tires.
Touareg V6 lists for $38,110, V8 costs $43,110, and V10 TDI has a sticker price of $59,140. All models have a destination charge of $680. Touareg is built in Slovakia.
Get Up and Go Volkswagen claims that its 4.2-liter V8 engine will push Touareg from 0-60 mph in just 7.1 seconds. Based on seat of the pants observations that claim may be a bit optimistic, still the engine provides ample power for around town driving and plenty of passing oomph.
When properly equipped, Touareg V8 can tow 7700 pounds. That's considerably more than most of its car-based SUV competition, which are stuck with 3500-pound towing ratings.
The six-speed automatic shifts unobtrusively in routine driving. At times, the transmission upshifts too quickly. When rounding corners, for example, it will upshift leaving drivers waiting for more power at the turn's exit. The transmission does have a manual-shift mode, which responds quickly to driver input.
Touareg V8 is EPA rated at a shockingly low 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. In a equal mix of city and highway commuting expect to average about 17 mpg. In straight highway driving, you'll be lucky if you average 19 mpg. Volkswagen recommends premium-grade fuel for maximum performance.
On the Road Volkswagen engineers wanted to give Touareg a supple but athletic on-road ride without compromising it's off road abilities. That's a tall order for any vehicle, but thanks to sophisticated electronic controls, VW mostly succeeded.
The complaint suspension absorbs most bumps with aplomb. Occasionally a sharp jolt will pass through unfiltered, but most of the time the ride is comfortable and controlled. Passengers will appreciate VW's efforts to minimize head toss and limit secondary body motions that are common to many large sport-utility vehicles.
A driver-selectable suspension is available on the V8. It offers comfort, automatic, and sport settings. Predictably, the comfort mode is best at slower speeds. Sport best on the highway. The automatic setting does a good job of ranging between the two modes as road and driving conditions change.
From behind the wheel, Touareg doesn't feel as agile as sporty competitors like the Acura MDX or BMW X5. The steering is heavy and slow and there is more body lean in quick lane changes that you might expect. Still the tires have ample grip and the brakes are surprisingly strong.
Thanks to a host of electronic aids and a smartly designed chassis, Touareg is a Billy goat off road. The available air suspension can raise ride height to 11.8 inches, and hill-decent control and electronic locking differentials make it easy for novice drivers to traverse tough off-road trails.
At speed, Touareg isn't as quiet as straight-luxury SUVs like the Buick Enclave or Lexus RX. There's too much driveline rumble and the engine is somewhat coarse compared to other V8s--likely due to the direct injection.
Behind the Wheel To many, Volkswagen is not a luxury brand, but the interior of the Touareg is first class all the way. Buttons and switch gear are of the highest quality, materials are a step above what you'd expect, and comfort and convenience features abound. Adding to the luxury ambiance are nice touches of brushed aluminum and leather, illuminated footwells, and subtle interior flood lights.
Gauges are simple and clearly marked. Climate and audio controls are placed high in the center stack. Window, mirror, and lock switches are illuminated at night. In all, the interior is functional and flowing. About the only curiosities have to do with the air suspension and four-wheel-drive system. They are controlled by pop-up knobs on the center console that aren't clear in operation without a trip through the owner's manual.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results, 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 |
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 stars |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 stars |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 stars |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | 5 stars |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 stars |
The front bucket seats are firm, but comfortable and supportive. Head and leg room are generous and step-in height is reasonable when the air suspension is set to automatic.
Standard tilt-telescope steering wheel makes it easy for drivers to get comfortable. Visibility aft is restricted by thick pillars and large headrests. Available rear-view camera and front and rear park assist are great features that should be offered on all sport-utility vehicles.
Rear bench seat is flat, but backrest is adjustable. Head room is good and leg room acceptable as long as the front seats aren't pushed all the way back. In that situation, adults may find knee and foot room marginal.
All passengers will appreciate the available four-zone automatic climate control.
Cargo space is generous when compared to smaller five-passenger sport-utility vehicles. Rear seatbacks fold flat but only after first removing headrests and flipping seat bottoms forward. The interior features lots of bins and cubbies and large front map pockets.
Bottom Line With a starting price less than $50,000 for a V8 model, Touareg compares favorably to its European luxury competitors. Strong points include a fantastic interior, great on-road ride, real off-road ability, and generous towing capacity. But be warned, fuel economy is sub par when compared to car-based competitors.
It may be hard for shoppers to swallow a $50,000-plus Volkswagen. After all, that's what doomed the fantastic VW Phaeton. Still, smart shoppers will see Touareg for what it is, a credible and reasonably priced luxury sport-utility with the go-anywhere ability of a Jeep and the luxury of a Mercedes-Benz.
| Specifications, 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 |
| Dimensions | 4-door wagon | Engine | DOHC V8 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 112.4 | Size, liters/cu. in. | 4.2 / 255 |
| Length, in. | 187.2 | Horsepower @ rpm | 350 @ 6800 |
| Width, in. | 75.9 | Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm | 324 @ 3500 |
| Height, in. | 68.0 | Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Weight, lbs. | 5254 | EPA Estimates, mpg | 12 city / 17 highway |
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft. | 71.0 | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 26.4 | Manufacturer's Warranty |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | Bumper-to-Bumper | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.7 | Powertrain | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Front Leg Room, in. | 41.3 | Corrosion | 12 years / Unlimited |
| Second-Row Head Room, in. | 38.3 | Free Roadside Assistance | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Second-Row Leg Room, in. | 35.6 | Free Scheduled Maintenance | None |