Volkswagen Touareg Delivers Luxury and Economy

On highways filled with bloated sport utility vehicles delivering abysmal fuel economy, Volkswagen’s Touareg doesn’t exactly stand out as the epitome of dainty design and savings. But the all-new second-generation 2011 model equipped with the optional 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel breaks out of that crowd and is one of the finest combinations of sport, utility, and economy among midsize SUVs.

Of particular significance for the new Touareg—a name coming from a Saharan nomadic tribe known for its ability to survive in harsh conditions—is its welcome shedding of mass. The major reduction is that a previously standard dual-range transfer case is now optional.

Though great for hard-core off-roaders, the majority of buyers simply never used this feature, which provides low-range gearing for crawling over rough terrain. Now, most Touareg drivers who spend all their time on pavement—or maybe the occasional trip down a dirt or gravel road—will benefit from it tremendously, thanks to a weight drop of about 350 pounds (not all due to the different transfer case). The now-standard Touareg drivetrain is Volkswagen’s 4MOTION full-time all-wheel-drive system.

The Touareg still tips the scales at just over 5,000 pounds, but a 7 percent diet is noticeable, and improved driving response, crisper handling, and better fuel economy are advantages of the reduced heft. A dual-range transfer case is also expensive, so without it, this VW now benefits from a lower base MSRP as well.

Volkswagen’s vehicles typically have well-executed interiors, sometimes nudging into luxury territory. The Touareg TDI with the Executive package is definitely classy, with glossy black exterior paint and Black Anthracite as the interior color.

Besides being wider and lower than its predecessor, the 2011 Touareg is now longer as well. The added length provides more interior room, and the interior has received a full complement of upgrades. Lots of curves, soft-touch surfaces, comfortable leather seats, and a giant panoramic sunroof help create an environment that is upscale, serene, and functional for five adults plus a weekend’s worth of vacation gear.

Among the included features are an 8-inch touch-screen radio-navigation system and a 7-inch supplemental display screen located between the main gauges in the instrument cluster. Six airbags are also standard, along with antislip, antilock braking, hill-hold assist, and stability control.

Outside, the new Touareg’s design is wider and a bit shorter than last year’s model. Up front, the grille opening is narrower and smoothly connects to trapezoid-shaped headlight housings fitted with LED running lights. The headlights flow around to more aggressively flared front fenders. The hood gets a muscular bulge, while the rear is strongly defined by taillights with a laid-back L design, swoopy curves around the hatch—which now automatically opens and closes by remote control—and stylized dual exhaust tips.

Under the hood, the turbodiesel V6 engine—mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission—cranks out a modest 225 horsepower. As with all turbodiesel engines, it’s the torque that really counts, and this one is good for 406 pound-feet. That much torque gives a pleasant shove back into your seat at full acceleration, and 0–60 mph can be done in the low 7-second range.

The Touareg is available with other engines as well, including the base 3.6-liter V6 and a range-topping supercharged 3.0-liter V6 hybrid. Regardless of the powertrain, all Touaregs now have a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds.

Pricing begins at $44,450 for the Touareg with base V6, while the hybrid comes in at $60,565. As tested, the TDI Executive model stickered at $58,320. Leave off the Executive package and the TDI can be had for $47,950.

Introduced in 2004, the Touareg has until now been a decent SUV with a high price for what it delivered. For 2011, Volkswagen has transformed its flagship SUV—the Tiguan is VW’s entry sport ’ute—into a much more useable, fun-to-drive, and less expensive offering that is both a good value and rock-solid competition in a crowded segment. Take one for a test drive—you’ll come away impressed, even if it just has to survive the Sonoran and not the Saharan desert.

By Greg Rubenstein