Volkswagen Touareg 2011 review

SOCIETY has gone mad. Again. For the past few years you weren't in tune with motoring unless you had an SUV. It's marketed as the car you must have for adventure - even though the most adventurous time your family will have is changing baby's nappy on the tailgate while parked at Saturday morning's footy game. But the game - the SUV game - is getting smarter. You can buy an SUV without all-wheel drive and, in Volkswagen's case, even one that has an optional 4WD package to take on the dirt road to Birdsville.

Its second generation Touareg is a highly competent piece of gear and despite its European origins, has significant appeal with Australian families - even those who will go no further than the football oval's verge on Saturday mornings.

VALUE

Very good. Let's consider that the Touareg is a big wagon built on the same platform and same production line as the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. It's in good company. Prices start at $62,990 - $1000 more expensive than a Toyota Prado GXL diesel. The new model is beautifully made and has heaps of gear, though star-struck new car buyers should be mindful of wading too deep into the enticing options list. However, the 4WD package is a respectable $5000 and may suit the adventurous who also want a refined, spacious and quality family wagon.

DESIGN

The previous model was a bit bland and though the bar grille and wide-set headlights improve the Touareg's chances of a dance partner, it's still conservatively penned. That makes it functional and the rounded corners of the two-box wagon shape only prove to gently soften the cavernous interior. Excellent boot space, lots of leg and headroom throughout for five adults, flexible seating and good personal storage spaces add to the practicality. However, overriding everything is the very high standard of fittings and the perfe ct way it's all bolted together.

TECHNOLOGY

The 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel has been around so long it's almost as old as me. Sadly, it's not. But the enduring oiler - found in almost everything owned by Volkswagen - has been tweaked to pump 180kW/550Nm through a new eight-speed automatic and picks up kudos for its economy, performance and quietness. The test wagon is a V6 turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive and a Torsen differential to spread the power to the wheels with the most traction. It's a simple system without any bad bugs. The 4WD version gets a different drivetrain with low-ratio gears and locking diffs.

SAFETY

This has one of the most comprehensive safety packages on the market - at any price. Value life and this is your machine. It starts with its physical presence and at a tad under 5m long, it's hard to miss but there's a lot of metal surrounding the occupants. It has nine airbags, a sophisticated electronic brake and chassis system that includes rollover mitigation, and optional stuff such as lane-departure warning and VW's take on the Volvo blind-side warning device that prevents potential lane change clashes.

DRIVING

It's big and it feels it. Volkswagen's 90kg weight reduction over the past model is commendable but equates to carrying one more adults passenger. It's a wagon that is firm to drive but utterly stable with confidence that extends through the bends and into the dirt. It's very quiet, very comfortable on perforated leather chairs, and has gobs of room. The engine is startlingly brisk from 2000rpm upwards but if you hit he pedal hard below that, there is an uncomfortable doughy patch as the engine scrambles for turbo boost and the gearbox tries to figure out what you want. In the dirt it's competent but opt for the 4XMotion low-range package (add $5000) if you want to get semi-serious. Ditch the complex compressor/aerosol/collapsible temporary spare wheel while you're there.

VERDICT

Latest Touareg looks expensive but has lots of value and matches Toyota on more than a few fronts. Its getting very close to Japanese rivals in the dirt and becoming more appealing as a long-distance tourer.

VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG V6TDI

Price: $77,990
Warranty: 3 years, 100,000km, roadside assist
Resale: 55%
Service interval: 15,000km or 12 months
Economy: 7.4 l/100km; 196g/km CO2
Safety equipment: nine airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 180kW/550Nm 3-litre turbo-diesel
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Body: 5-door, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4898 (L); 1965mm (W); 1732mm (H); 2904mm (WB) Weight 2159kg
Tyre size: 255/55R18, collapsible space-saver, compressor.