Volkswagen Touareg V6 3.6 (A) Review
08 Dec 2010|22,049 views
Volkswagen has produced some legendary vehicles like the Beetle (Type 1) and the Volkswagen van (Type 2), which are the symbols of a generation. Like the Beetle, the van has received numerous nicknames worldwide, including the "microbus", "minibus" as well as "kombi". It was a huge success for the German carmaker then.
But the first generation of the Volkswagen Touareg was a much quieter success. It was solidly good-looking, refined and remarkable to drive and Volkswagen has sold half a million of them, but the car has often been overshadowed by its glamorous twin and the dynamically superior BMW X5.
Since then, Volkswagen has taken this matter seriously and has been working hard to woo its customers by launching the second generation of the model. Given its late entrant into this market, Volkswagen is looking to prove that it has created the best passenger car and off-roader with much more to offer than its competition — the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo XC90.
Exterior
The car looks good from any angle, thanks to its beefy stance and dominant shoulder line. Up front, u-shaped led daytime running lights give the Touareg an elegant look while the large chrome upper radiator grille echoes the look of the recently launched Passat CC.
But the first generation of the Volkswagen Touareg was a much quieter success. It was solidly good-looking, refined and remarkable to drive and Volkswagen has sold half a million of them, but the car has often been overshadowed by its glamorous twin and the dynamically superior BMW X5.
Since then, Volkswagen has taken this matter seriously and has been working hard to woo its customers by launching the second generation of the model. Given its late entrant into this market, Volkswagen is looking to prove that it has created the best passenger car and off-roader with much more to offer than its competition — the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo XC90.
Exterior
The car looks good from any angle, thanks to its beefy stance and dominant shoulder line. Up front, u-shaped led daytime running lights give the Touareg an elegant look while the large chrome upper radiator grille echoes the look of the recently launched Passat CC.
Thanks to the lower body height and a longer body of 1,709mm and 4,795mm respectively, the Touareg resembles the Porsche Cayenne from the side and does not, in any way, look overly massive.
Similar to the front fascia, the rear of the beefy SUV has a strong presence and a newfound aggression with elegance still being its hallmark. Distinct horizontal lines and nicely shaped twin exhaust pipes are also evident and together they give the Touareg the image it needs to tempt SUV buyers.
There's no denying that the Volkswagen Touareg has huge road presence. With its large chrome grille, upright stance and wider dimensions, this beefcake is every inch premium.
Interior
Step inside the second generation Touareg and you will be treated to a richly- appointed cabin of leather, wood and chrome trim. Based on its quality of materials and level of comfort, the SUV's interior easily rivals the best in the luxury SUV class. The only real difference between the Touareg's cabin and the BMW X5's is the brand badge on the steering wheel.
The gauges, leather dashboard, and console look contemporary and upscale, but the proliferation of buttons and controls requires a pre-flight briefing. The navigation system takes a lot of study to master which may lead you to more frustration than convenience.
But for off-road enthusiasts, you'll be happy to know that the area view feature comes as an option. It is an all-round camera system that displays the vehicle's immediate surroundings on an eight-inch multi-function touch screen.
Step inside the second generation Touareg and you will be treated to a richly- appointed cabin of leather, wood and chrome trim. Based on its quality of materials and level of comfort, the SUV's interior easily rivals the best in the luxury SUV class. The only real difference between the Touareg's cabin and the BMW X5's is the brand badge on the steering wheel.
The gauges, leather dashboard, and console look contemporary and upscale, but the proliferation of buttons and controls requires a pre-flight briefing. The navigation system takes a lot of study to master which may lead you to more frustration than convenience.
But for off-road enthusiasts, you'll be happy to know that the area view feature comes as an option. It is an all-round camera system that displays the vehicle's immediate surroundings on an eight-inch multi-function touch screen.
However, where it can't compete is in seating capacity. Many SUVs now offer a third row of seats, increasing occupant capacity to seven. But the Touareg remains a two-row SUV, limiting the number of seats to five.
However, as quoted by Volkswagen, "A gain in comfort is also attained by a gain in space. Shoulder room in front has been increased by 55 mm to 1,520 mm and elbow width improved by 45 mm to 1,549 mm."
Up front, apart from a commanding view of the road from the high driving position, the electronic seats are very comfortable and they hold you in well when driving enthusiastically.
The vast majority of the Touareg's intended audience are likely to appreciate the clean lines and sheer ergonomic precision of the cabin. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, there is plenty of legroom for three in the back and a decent boot behind which has enough room for three sets of golf clubs.
However, as quoted by Volkswagen, "A gain in comfort is also attained by a gain in space. Shoulder room in front has been increased by 55 mm to 1,520 mm and elbow width improved by 45 mm to 1,549 mm."
Up front, apart from a commanding view of the road from the high driving position, the electronic seats are very comfortable and they hold you in well when driving enthusiastically.
The vast majority of the Touareg's intended audience are likely to appreciate the clean lines and sheer ergonomic precision of the cabin. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, there is plenty of legroom for three in the back and a decent boot behind which has enough room for three sets of golf clubs.
The Drive
The 3.6-litre powerplant has the size and speed to dominate traffic on the go, with slower cars and pesky taxis scurrying out of the SUV's way.
It rides comfortably with occupants well-cosseted from whatever the road surface throws at the SUV. Pliant, quiet and relaxed, the Touareg is a welcome companion on long journeys indeed. And while it leans a tad bit in corners, it never wallows.
The V6 direct-injection petrol engine is refined and spins happily to the rev limit when pushed hard, accommodating those with a penchant for quick acceleration. There is, of course, a paddle-shift feature for the eight-speed automatic transmission but it works pretty well on its own without manual intervention.
For its size, the Touareg is truly nimble and manoeuvrable. With hardly any overhangs, the car makes it easy for its driver to judge traffic. Moreover, the new car has a firm and stable suspension that erases all the trouble that makes piloting a big barge a bit of a chore.
Thus, the big lad has on-road manners that will earn a fair amount of respect from critics and buyers alike.
The 3.6-litre powerplant has the size and speed to dominate traffic on the go, with slower cars and pesky taxis scurrying out of the SUV's way.
It rides comfortably with occupants well-cosseted from whatever the road surface throws at the SUV. Pliant, quiet and relaxed, the Touareg is a welcome companion on long journeys indeed. And while it leans a tad bit in corners, it never wallows.
The V6 direct-injection petrol engine is refined and spins happily to the rev limit when pushed hard, accommodating those with a penchant for quick acceleration. There is, of course, a paddle-shift feature for the eight-speed automatic transmission but it works pretty well on its own without manual intervention.
For its size, the Touareg is truly nimble and manoeuvrable. With hardly any overhangs, the car makes it easy for its driver to judge traffic. Moreover, the new car has a firm and stable suspension that erases all the trouble that makes piloting a big barge a bit of a chore.
Thus, the big lad has on-road manners that will earn a fair amount of respect from critics and buyers alike.
Conclusion
The new Volkswagen Touareg has a luxurious interior to go with the extraordinary on-road civility. In a world dominated by SUVs that might look tough, but cower when led over challenging roads, the new Volkswagen Touareg is truly a rarity.
If you don't need three rows of seats or class-leading cargo capacity, this adventurous vehicle deserves a look.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
The new Volkswagen Touareg has a luxurious interior to go with the extraordinary on-road civility. In a world dominated by SUVs that might look tough, but cower when led over challenging roads, the new Volkswagen Touareg is truly a rarity.
If you don't need three rows of seats or class-leading cargo capacity, this adventurous vehicle deserves a look.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Volkswagen has produced some legendary vehicles like the Beetle (Type 1) and the Volkswagen van (Type 2), which are the symbols of a generation. Like the Beetle, the van has received numerous nicknames worldwide, including the "microbus", "minibus" as well as "kombi". It was a huge success for the German carmaker then.
But the first generation of the Volkswagen Touareg was a much quieter success. It was solidly good-looking, refined and remarkable to drive and Volkswagen has sold half a million of them, but the car has often been overshadowed by its glamorous twin and the dynamically superior BMW X5.
Since then, Volkswagen has taken this matter seriously and has been working hard to woo its customers by launching the second generation of the model. Given its late entrant into this market, Volkswagen is looking to prove that it has created the best passenger car and off-roader with much more to offer than its competition — the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo XC90.
Exterior
The car looks good from any angle, thanks to its beefy stance and dominant shoulder line. Up front, u-shaped led daytime running lights give the Touareg an elegant look while the large chrome upper radiator grille echoes the look of the recently launched Passat CC.
But the first generation of the Volkswagen Touareg was a much quieter success. It was solidly good-looking, refined and remarkable to drive and Volkswagen has sold half a million of them, but the car has often been overshadowed by its glamorous twin and the dynamically superior BMW X5.
Since then, Volkswagen has taken this matter seriously and has been working hard to woo its customers by launching the second generation of the model. Given its late entrant into this market, Volkswagen is looking to prove that it has created the best passenger car and off-roader with much more to offer than its competition — the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo XC90.
Exterior
The car looks good from any angle, thanks to its beefy stance and dominant shoulder line. Up front, u-shaped led daytime running lights give the Touareg an elegant look while the large chrome upper radiator grille echoes the look of the recently launched Passat CC.
Thanks to the lower body height and a longer body of 1,709mm and 4,795mm respectively, the Touareg resembles the Porsche Cayenne from the side and does not, in any way, look overly massive.
Similar to the front fascia, the rear of the beefy SUV has a strong presence and a newfound aggression with elegance still being its hallmark. Distinct horizontal lines and nicely shaped twin exhaust pipes are also evident and together they give the Touareg the image it needs to tempt SUV buyers.
There's no denying that the Volkswagen Touareg has huge road presence. With its large chrome grille, upright stance and wider dimensions, this beefcake is every inch premium.
Interior
Step inside the second generation Touareg and you will be treated to a richly- appointed cabin of leather, wood and chrome trim. Based on its quality of materials and level of comfort, the SUV's interior easily rivals the best in the luxury SUV class. The only real difference between the Touareg's cabin and the BMW X5's is the brand badge on the steering wheel.
The gauges, leather dashboard, and console look contemporary and upscale, but the proliferation of buttons and controls requires a pre-flight briefing. The navigation system takes a lot of study to master which may lead you to more frustration than convenience.
But for off-road enthusiasts, you'll be happy to know that the area view feature comes as an option. It is an all-round camera system that displays the vehicle's immediate surroundings on an eight-inch multi-function touch screen.
Step inside the second generation Touareg and you will be treated to a richly- appointed cabin of leather, wood and chrome trim. Based on its quality of materials and level of comfort, the SUV's interior easily rivals the best in the luxury SUV class. The only real difference between the Touareg's cabin and the BMW X5's is the brand badge on the steering wheel.
The gauges, leather dashboard, and console look contemporary and upscale, but the proliferation of buttons and controls requires a pre-flight briefing. The navigation system takes a lot of study to master which may lead you to more frustration than convenience.
But for off-road enthusiasts, you'll be happy to know that the area view feature comes as an option. It is an all-round camera system that displays the vehicle's immediate surroundings on an eight-inch multi-function touch screen.
However, where it can't compete is in seating capacity. Many SUVs now offer a third row of seats, increasing occupant capacity to seven. But the Touareg remains a two-row SUV, limiting the number of seats to five.
However, as quoted by Volkswagen, "A gain in comfort is also attained by a gain in space. Shoulder room in front has been increased by 55 mm to 1,520 mm and elbow width improved by 45 mm to 1,549 mm."
Up front, apart from a commanding view of the road from the high driving position, the electronic seats are very comfortable and they hold you in well when driving enthusiastically.
The vast majority of the Touareg's intended audience are likely to appreciate the clean lines and sheer ergonomic precision of the cabin. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, there is plenty of legroom for three in the back and a decent boot behind which has enough room for three sets of golf clubs.
However, as quoted by Volkswagen, "A gain in comfort is also attained by a gain in space. Shoulder room in front has been increased by 55 mm to 1,520 mm and elbow width improved by 45 mm to 1,549 mm."
Up front, apart from a commanding view of the road from the high driving position, the electronic seats are very comfortable and they hold you in well when driving enthusiastically.
The vast majority of the Touareg's intended audience are likely to appreciate the clean lines and sheer ergonomic precision of the cabin. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, there is plenty of legroom for three in the back and a decent boot behind which has enough room for three sets of golf clubs.
The Drive
The 3.6-litre powerplant has the size and speed to dominate traffic on the go, with slower cars and pesky taxis scurrying out of the SUV's way.
It rides comfortably with occupants well-cosseted from whatever the road surface throws at the SUV. Pliant, quiet and relaxed, the Touareg is a welcome companion on long journeys indeed. And while it leans a tad bit in corners, it never wallows.
The V6 direct-injection petrol engine is refined and spins happily to the rev limit when pushed hard, accommodating those with a penchant for quick acceleration. There is, of course, a paddle-shift feature for the eight-speed automatic transmission but it works pretty well on its own without manual intervention.
For its size, the Touareg is truly nimble and manoeuvrable. With hardly any overhangs, the car makes it easy for its driver to judge traffic. Moreover, the new car has a firm and stable suspension that erases all the trouble that makes piloting a big barge a bit of a chore.
Thus, the big lad has on-road manners that will earn a fair amount of respect from critics and buyers alike.
The 3.6-litre powerplant has the size and speed to dominate traffic on the go, with slower cars and pesky taxis scurrying out of the SUV's way.
It rides comfortably with occupants well-cosseted from whatever the road surface throws at the SUV. Pliant, quiet and relaxed, the Touareg is a welcome companion on long journeys indeed. And while it leans a tad bit in corners, it never wallows.
The V6 direct-injection petrol engine is refined and spins happily to the rev limit when pushed hard, accommodating those with a penchant for quick acceleration. There is, of course, a paddle-shift feature for the eight-speed automatic transmission but it works pretty well on its own without manual intervention.
For its size, the Touareg is truly nimble and manoeuvrable. With hardly any overhangs, the car makes it easy for its driver to judge traffic. Moreover, the new car has a firm and stable suspension that erases all the trouble that makes piloting a big barge a bit of a chore.
Thus, the big lad has on-road manners that will earn a fair amount of respect from critics and buyers alike.
Conclusion
The new Volkswagen Touareg has a luxurious interior to go with the extraordinary on-road civility. In a world dominated by SUVs that might look tough, but cower when led over challenging roads, the new Volkswagen Touareg is truly a rarity.
If you don't need three rows of seats or class-leading cargo capacity, this adventurous vehicle deserves a look.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
The new Volkswagen Touareg has a luxurious interior to go with the extraordinary on-road civility. In a world dominated by SUVs that might look tough, but cower when led over challenging roads, the new Volkswagen Touareg is truly a rarity.
If you don't need three rows of seats or class-leading cargo capacity, this adventurous vehicle deserves a look.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Car Information
Volkswagen Touareg 3.6 V6 (A)
CAT B|Petrol|9.6km/L
Horsepower
209kW (280 bhp)
Torque
360 Nm
Acceleration
7.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Volkswagen TouaregThank You For Your Subscription.