The New Volkswagen Touareg. Photo by Kyran O’Brien
There is much to like about Volkswagen’s Touareg writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? The new Volkswagen Touareg first appeared in 2002 and was updated in 2010. For 2015 it offers more equipment and smarter styling for a lower price tag.
Who is it aimed at? With only five seats the Touareg is best suited to a small family who want an SUV that’s good to drive both on and off road.
Styling? Compared to many rivals the Volkswagen Touareg is positively discreet, so appropriately the latest version is a subtle refresh. Apart from some minor design tweaks front and rear and a reworked four-bar grille, it looks pretty much the same as the previous version outside but inside it’s even more up-market, with lots of soft-touch materials and electronic wizardry.
Under the Bonnet? Powering the Touareg is a 3.0 litre diesel engine that ranges in output from 204bhp to 262bhp. Our test car was the lower powered version, it is punchy but smooth and it comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts gears seamlessly.
What about inside? Inside it is familiar VW territory and all the controls are logically laid out and the quality throughout is good but there is no denying a certain sombre solemnity to it all. The high seating position gives great visibility though this elevated view of the world is just as likely to be obscured by another SUV or crossover in the adjacent lane. The boot is well shaped and a decent size at 580 litres – extending to 1,642 litres with the rear seats folded but while space is good throughout and there is plenty of legroom front and rear, the Touareg is a five-seater only without a seven seat option.
On the Road? Behind the wheel, the Touareg feels much more like a beefy Golf than a full-size SUV. At slow speeds, it is absorbent and plush and barely swayed through corners. The changes to the steel-sprung suspension are evident and the car is more agile than before. The steering response is quick, it grips the road very nicely and on motorways it swept silently along. The 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system sets the car up for on or off road conditions with the simple turn of a knob. A trip around Mondello’s off-road course proved that it is more than capable of surmounting any likely challenges.
For more serious off roading there is the option of a Terrain Technology pack that adds off-road suspension (raised 10mm front, 15mm rear), front underbody guard and additional engine guard, additional stone guard body covers and an increased fuel tank capacity (100 litres). This option is €2,630.
And Safety? The new version of the Touareg hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP, however based on the safety features included and the track record of other VWs its probably safe to assume that even under the new and more stringent tests it would perform well.
Options? According to Volkswagen, additional equipment worth up to €10,000 has been added to the new model. Standard specification includes 20″ alloy wheels, leather upholstery with heated front seats, a Memory Pack that allows for 14-way adjustment for the front seats, premium Bluetooth, and Media-In for iPod/iPhone and all round parking sensors.
Will it break the bank? The Touareg starts at €69,675. As part of the facelift the prices have been reduced by €6,430, and additional specification worth up to €10,000 has been added. In addition, fuel saving measures introduced along with lower rolling resistance tyres has reduced the fuel consumption from 7.0 l/100km in the 204bhp version to 6.6 l/100km dropping the CO2 emissions from 184g/km to 173g/km.
Verdict? There is much to like about VW’s flagship SUV but this is a cut-throat market and the Touareg faces stiff competition from the likes of the Mercedes Benz M Class, the Range Rover Sport and BMW’s X5. In addition, Volvo have just launched their all-new XC90 and from within the VW group the second generation Audi Q7 is about to arrive. At €69,675, this five-seater SUV is not a viable option for many families but if you are looking for an off-roader that is car-like on the road, capable off it and economical to run, the VW Touareg should be on your list to test drive
Why you’ll buy one? Driving Dynamics; decent off road; well equipped
Why you won’t? Five seater only; Not the most efficient
Rivals
Audi Q7 – prices starting from €72,125 for the entry level diesel
BMW X5 – prices starting from €72,740
Volvo XC90 – prices starting from €70,950
Watch our video review below (Video Filming by Kyran O’Brien)
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0TDI V6
Engine: 2,967cc, 204bhp @3,200, 450NM @1,250
Max speed: 170km/h
0-100 kph: 9.9 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 173 g/km (Band A4 €200)
Model price range: €69,675 starting price
No of Doors: 5 doors
Euro NCAP : Not yet tested
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 6.6 l/100km
Boot Capacity Seats (down) up: 580 litres (1,642 down)
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 4801mm
Width: 1940mm
Height: 1732mm
Wheelbase: 2893mm
For more information check out the Volkswagen Ireland website or their Facebook page
Geraldine Herbert
16th July, 2015
