2018 BMW X5 vs Volkswagen Touareg

What's the difference?

Big, powerful, practical and prestigious, the xDrive40d is just what a flagship SUV should be, and that M Sport package doesn't just provide tougher looks but better performance in the handling department, too.

If you're in need of something larger then the X7 is coming soon, and so is a new-generation X5, which will arrive with more advanced safety equipment, more modern technology, a different platform and new looks.

If it was me, I'd wait for that new-gen X5 and harass my BMW dealer about when I can put my order in: Storm Trooper White or Russian Oil Oligarch Black? That's the question. M Sport package for sure.

The Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI takes a great SUV and adds some much-needed items – such as AEB and adaptive cruise control while improving the looks further with those wheels and upholstery.

Better suited as a comfortable highway cruiser that will eat up the kays without being too thirsty, the Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI is a superb choice for towing.

The thing you really must be aware of is the next generation Touareg is expected in 2019, and will be more modern in every way. Are you willing to wait?

The X5 looks large but elegant. There's that long BMW family nose, the set-back cabin and from behind it looks as wide and as tall as The Hulk.

But the dimensions show it's not as massive as it might appear. End-to-end the X5 measures 4886mm long, it's 1938mm wide and 1762mm tall. The Benz GLE is just 67mm shorter in length, pretty much the same width and 34mm shorter in height.

If you're looking for something bigger but still with a BMW badge, you'll be happy to hear the first X7 will land in the next 12 months and it's a monster at more than 5.2m long.

This current X5 is the third generation of a model line that kicked off in 1999. Some things haven't changed – the profile has stayed boxy, the windows large, there are those fog lights peering out through circular wells in the front bumper, and a split tailgate.

Where is the X5 made? Spartanburg, South Carolina in the U-S of A, and this X5 is getting old, well... older, for two reasons. First, car years are like dog years and this X5 arrived in 2013 which makes it a senior citizen; and second, the platform used in this one was carried over from the second generation X5.

So, it's doubly old, but still excellent. When will the new one arrive? It's close; we're talking late 2018, and it'll have the same platform as the 7 Series.

Fear not though, the cabin of the current X5 doesn't feel dated – that large screen, the virtual instrument cluster, the familiar BMW slab-like dashboard, and the luxurious seating add up to a prestigious cockpit worthy of a primo SUV.

I'd say the Mercedes-Benz GLE feels more plush on the inside and boasts a more modern exterior design, but both have a mighty road presence which is all part of the experience.

The Monochrome edition adds black touches to the mirror caps, grille and roof rails, while inside you’ll find two-tone black and 'Moonrock Grey' vienna leather upholstery, aluminium and gloss black trim to the dashboard and a 'Titanium' and black headliner.

But the Monochrome styling isn’t enough to hide that this tough-looking big brute, like Schwarzenegger, is looking elderly. That’s understandable because this current model has been around since 2010 and as mentioned a new generation of the SUV will be out in 2019.

The Touareg and Porsche Cayenne share the same architecture, platform, engines and many other components, and you can see some obvious family resemblances, particularly those big curvy haunches and the rear of the car.

That said, strategic styling updates over the years have gone a long way towards giving the Touareg SUV its own look.

The Touareg’s cabin is roomier than the Cayenne, but more on that below. That interior, though, is beginning to age, and if you climb out of a new Volkswagen, like a Tiguan, and into the Touareg you’ll feel like you’re getting out of 2018 and into 2013. Still the interior is well crafted, with an excellent fit and finish.

How big is the Touareg? A look at the dimensions shows it to be 4801mm end-to-end, 1940mm across, and 1732mm tall.

As a model comparison the Toyota Kluger is 4865mm long, 1925mm wide and 1730mm high, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee is 4828mm bumper-to-bumper, 1943mm in width, and stands 1802mm tall.

The X5 is the most practical SUV in BMW's line-up. That's an obvious statement, but I'm not just saying it. In the last six weeks, I've road tested the X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5, and the X6 before them.

There have been day-care drop-offs, trips to the airport, furniture hauling, grocery shopping, and nothing in BMW's range beats this giant box on wheels for practicality.

For starters that split-fold tailgate means you have a seat or table or an awning, and it can be opened in confined spaces.

Inside, the X5's cargo capacity is 650 litres, while the GLE has 550 litres of boot space, but you can fit a recliner chair in both. I know this because in 2015 I bought one of these giant seats second-hand online and brought it home in a Benz GLE. Then three years later I took it to the tip in this BMW X5, which proves it's not just about volume but the size of the boot's aperture, too, and that nobody wants a third hand recliner.

All X5s come with a luggage net, but from the 30d grade upwards the 'storage compartment package' comes standard and includes a glove box net, sunglasses holder, centre armrest strap and hooks in the cargo area.

Storage elsewhere is good with a large split-opening centre console armrest and two cupholders up front, plus another two cupholders in the back row in the rear fold down armrest which also contains a compartment. All doors have giant bottle holders, too.

Space for people is excellent. There aren't many cars that have this much legroom in the back. I'm 191cm tall and can sit behind my driving position with about 100mm to spare. Headroom is also excellent.

A third row can be optioned $4600, making the xDrive40d a seven-seater.

There are five 12-volt power outlets – two up front, two in the rear row and another in the boot. There's only one USB port, however, which these days is one less than satisfactory.

The inside of a shipping container would feel cramped after being in the Touareg’s cabin with excellent head, leg, and shoulder room in the front and back. At 191cm tall there aren’t many vehicles that offer this much space behind my driving position. There’s about 60mm between my knees and the seatback, which is exceptional.

The only seating issue I can see is that there are just five of them. There’s no third row, and this is a weakness in that the Touareg is big enough to handle more, just like the Toyota Kluger, but there’s not even an option to have them fitted.

The Touareg’s cargo capacity is good at 580 litres, beating the Kluger’s 529 litres of luggage space.

Storage elsewhere in the cabin is great, too: there are two cupholders in the fold-down armrest in the back, two cupholders up front and bottle holders in all the doors. Under the split-opening centre console armrest is a deep and long storage bin, another covered smaller tray in front of the shifter and drawers under the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

There’s only one USB port but three 12-volt outlets – one in the front, another in the second row and a third in the boot.

At $74,990, the Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI costs $6000 more than the 150 TDI it’s based on, but this special edition adds extra equipment. We’re talking a proximity key and push-button start, power tailgate, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, tinted rear windows and 19-inch ‘Moab’ wheels.

The Monochrome also comes with advanced safety equipment and design elements which aren’t on the 150TDI - you can read more about this in the sections below.

Along with those additional bits the Monochrome picks up all of the 150 TDI’s features. There’s an 8.0-inch touchscreen with sat nav, rear view camera with guidance lines, DVD player, Bluetooth connectivity, leather upholstery, heated and power adjustable front seats, bi-xenon headlights and LED running lights.

There’s also dual-zone climate control with directional vents in the second row.

Be prepared for know-it-all neighbours peering over the fence telling you the Touareg’s too expensive. Yes, it’s pricey for a Volkswagen, but when you compare it to high-end SUVs such as BMW’s X5, Mercedes-Benz’s GLE and Audi’s Q7 it’s at least $20K less.

If that still doesn’t convince those next door, drop the C-bomb on them. No, not that one, the other one – ‘Cayenne’, as in Porsche Cayenne. Being part of the Volkswagen family the Touareg is the Cayenne’s close sibling, and shares a high percentage of design DNA (including the same platform) but the Porsche costs about $110K for the base diesel V6.

The Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI’s price is interesting, because it’s not too far above the list price of the similarly sized top-of-the-range Toyota Kluger Grande ($69,906), and Mazda CX-9 Azami ($64,790).

With similar dimensions but a bit dearer, the Lexus RX350 ($84,700) is also in range. Finally, and you may not have considered it, the closest fit to the Touareg Monochrome is a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited ($67,700).

The standard features list for the Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI may look great, but the truth is much of the gear isn't that modern. For starters, the screen's graphics feel dated, as does the instrument cluster.

So, here’s the thing you must know before you buy the Touareg: a new-generation Touareg is scheduled to arrive in 2019. This will be a totally new car, with different styling and more up-to-date technology.

If it was me I’d hold off until this came out. If you’re looking for a bargain on an already excellent car, you might want to purchase this Touareg – you can bet the new one will be more expensive and dealers will be keen to shift the current version.

The X5 xDrive40d has an inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which makes 230kW of power and 630Nm of torque. You'll find the same engine in the 30d but the 40d's is tuned to produce 40kW/70Nm more.

An eight-speed automatic shifts gears seamlessly.

This engine suits the X5 well. It sounds deep and tough, and provides plenty of shove with a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. Want to get there faster? Well, the X5 M50d diesel does it in 5.3 seconds and the V8 petrol xDrive50i romps in at 4.9 seconds.

You might not be able to hit those 0-100km/h times while hauling a trailer but the xDrive40d has a braked towing capacity of 2700kg.

If you are covering serious kays the engine in the xDrive40d makes far more sense to me than the petrol electric hybrid xDrive40e (see my review of this one) which is really for urban warriors with daily access to charging. So, is the xDrive40d thirsty? Read on to find out.

The Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI has a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 making 150kW/450Nm. This is the same engine as the V6 TDI grade but with a lower output.

This engine is a gem – it’s exceptionally quiet and smooth for a diesel, and the torque comes in 500rpm lower than the V6TDI at 1250rpm.

An eight-speed automatic transmission shifts gears seamlessly, but a little slowly, which is fine because the Touareg is for cruising, not racing.

Touaregs are all-wheel drive with a braked towing capacity of 3500kg – that’s up there in our top 10 vehicles for towing alongside the Ford Ranger, Toyota’s LandCruiser 200 Series and HiLux. Apart from the ‘Cruiser you’ll be hard pressed to find a better, comfier SUV for towing.

It's hard to believe that despite pushing the xDrive40d hard on my country road loop, punishing it in Sydney traffic every day, and not using the stop-start fuel saving system all the time the on-board computer was reporting it was using an average of 10.2L/100km of diesel.

Sure, that's way higher than BMW's official 6.3L/100km, but BMW calculated that number under ideal conditions over a combination of urban and open roads.

In comparison, the xDrive40e petrol-electric plug-in hybrid has an official mileage of 3.3L/100km, but if like me you're not willing or able to charge it every day that meant my fuel consumption rocketed to 15.5L/100km. That's another reason why I'd go for the diesel over the hybrid.

Diesel engines use less fuel than petrol engines, but even if you wanted a petrol Touareg you’d have to find a second-hand one because they were dropped from the Australian line-up years ago.

The 150TDI is the most economical in the range with Volkswagen claiming it’ll only use 7.2L/100km over a combination of urban and open roads. If you plan on not leaving the city you’ll see something closer to 10.3L/100km which is the number our test car's trip computer reported. Still, good for a 2.1 tonne vehicle.

A 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds is impressive for something that's shaped like a brick and weighs 2.1 tonnes, but what happens when you come to the first corner?

Well, those Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tyres (275/40 f - 315/35 r) grip hard, the adaptive M Sport suspension holds firm, and you corner flat enough to get on the power early to sling shot away. Great brakes and good pedal feel add to confident piloting, too.

Yes, you can feel the heavy weight, and the steering lacks decent feel, but the grip, suspension and the X5's ability to send 100 per cent of the drive to the rear wheels makes for a surprisingly agile SUV.

The ride is comfortable despite the big run-flat rubber, and the driving position is excellent.

Look, it's by no means as adept as the xDrive M50d or X5M which are real M cars, but it's a comfortable mid-point which allows you to go from cruiser to a bit of a bruiser without going hardcore.

The ride is comfortable despite the big run-flat rubber, and the driving position is excellent – you sit low enough to feel part of the car, but the X5's height means you still have a commanding view. In fact, visibility all around is clear, making the X5 easy to manoeuvre, despite its size, even in car parks.

A quick note about what this car's xDrive40e twin is like to drive while I'm here. Quite different. The hybrid is about 120kg heavier and the SUV I tested had considerable body roll in corners, while acceleration is about a second behind in the 0-100km/h sprint. Another couple of reasons I'd go for the 40d instead.

If you don’t have much time all you need to know is the Touareg Monochrome 150TDI has a comfortable ride, plenty of grunt and good grip, but it’s not the most dynamic beast with body roll in the corners and heavy(ish) steering which makes navigating through car parks feel a bit like hard work at times.

The Monochrome 150 TDI doesn’t come with air suspension (the V6 TDI does), but the double wishbone suspension front and rear (with aluminium control arms) does a great job of keeping the ride civilised.

This Touareg doesn’t have anywhere near the off-road capability of say a LandCruiser, but the all-wheel drive system will take you further afield than many SUVs. Approach and departure angles of 25 degrees aren’t bad, and neither's a wading depth of 500mm, but a low 205mm ground clearance will be an issue if you’re planning on venturing too far off the highway.

The Touareg hasn’t been tested by ANCAP or its continental cousin EuroNCAP, so I can’t give you a star rating, but I can tell you it’s worth going for the Monochrome because of the extra advanced safety equipment it brings, such as AEB (city) and adaptive cruise control. The LED tail-lights this edition adds could also come under the safety heading, too.

As you'd expect there are airbags galore with curtain bags extending to cover the second row and outer rear seat airbags, too. And, of course, there’s traction and stability control and even a rollover sensor system which will deploy the airbags if it detects you’re about to really mess things up.

The Touareg was once a leader in terms of advanced safety tech, but again the age of this car means the standard equipment is no longer stand-out stuff.

For child seats, you’ll find three top tether anchor points and two ISOFIX mounts across the rear row.

A space saver spare wheel can be found under the boot floor.

The X5 xDrive40d is covered by BMW's three year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Servicing is condition based, meaning the SUV will let you know when it needs to visit the doctor.

X5 owners can also purchase a five-year/80,000km service plan. The 'Basic' plan costs $1440 and the more comprehensive 'Plus' is $2900. These are also transferable to future owners.

The Touareg Monochrome 150 TDI is covered by Volkswagen’s three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Servicing is recommended every 15,000km or 12 months. According to Volkswagen’s servicing price calculator you can expect to pay $495 for the first service, $719 for the next, $593 for the third, $909 for the fourth visit and back to $495 for the fifth.