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Volkswagen Touareg 150TDI 2012 review

Volkswagen’s Touareg is neatly styled without looking aggressively like an SUV.
EXPERT RATING
8

The original version of the Volkswagen Touareg was designed to have good off-road ability - in the mistaken belief that buyers wanted a 4WD. The new model has been backed off in its standard format as very few people ever take their SUVs away from sealed surfaces.

The Touareg 150TDI we tested is priced from $62,990, and also came with the $5400 driver assist package that includes active cruise control, lane assist, front assist and occupant protection system.

TECHNOLOGY

The engine sits in front of an automatic transmission with eight forward speeds, there is no manual option. The automatic is a conventional torque convertor unit, not a double-clutch DSG as the latter are notoriously awkward at very slow speeds, such as in off-road driving.

The Touareg 150TDI we tested had the basic 4Motion AWD system which does not include low range transfer case or differential locks. It is ideally suited to gravel roads as opposed to 4WD tracks or fire trails and rock hopping.

The transition from ‘on-road’ to ‘off-road’ is achieved by turning a knob in the console that changes the traction control for better grip on loose surfaces. On dirt tracks, forest trails and the like we found it to have excellent traction and it retained it good on-road ride comfort.

The Touareg has sensors fitted to the underneath of the external rear view mirrors and these monitor road markings. If the vehicle starts to drift to one side or the other the steering wheels shudders alerting the driver. Front assist lets the driver know there is insufficient braking space between the Touareg and the car in front.

Weight reduction has been achieved as a two-speed transfer box is no longer fitted as standard. Instead it is an extra-cost option for those who do want go into the bush. The 4WD system without a transfer case uses the tag of 4Motion. The heavy-duty 4WD with a transfer case is called 4XMotion.

DESIGN

The second generation Volkswagen has styling that follows the latest neat and tidy VW theme that is likely to remain timeless. Europeans are becoming increasingly anti-4WD in their thinking so Volkswagen has been sensible in making the Touareg look more like a sensible station wagon than an off-road vehicle.

Though it looks smaller than the superseded gen-one model, the new Touareg is significantly larger inside due to its longer body and stretched wheelbase. This results in a spacious back seat so there's legroom for the tallest of adults. Comfort in the rear has been further improved by making the backrest adjustable for rake.

VW has given the interior an all-new look, with a classy appearance and intelligent use of soft feel materials on the dash. There is the usual neat and easy to read Volkswagen instrument layout as well as an integrated LCD multifunction display that’s also simple to use and minimal in the distraction it causes,

The Touareg’s luggage area has also been increased in size and is easy to load thanks to the squared off rear end, though the height of the floor may cause hassles for smaller owners.

The cargo area is large at 580 litres and with the rear seat folded there’s a cavernous 1642 litres. The rear seat has a 60/40 split and the centre section of the backrest folds down to create an armrest with cup holders. It also folds down completely to create a ski hatch.

DRIVING

The new VW SUV has a solid feel and excellent refinement in noise, vibration and harshness control. At a cruising speed of 110 to 120 km/h there is almost no wind noise so the big VW wagon offers quiet relaxed travel for hours on end.

We found the front seats comfortable and supportive. Leg and headroom is not an issue in front or back. The rear seat passengers also enjoy dual air conditioning vents at head height. However, the middle seat in the rear is rather firm - not a place we would like to be on a long trip.The interior has a good number of usable storage bins that makes it an ideal family vehicle.

Visibility outwards is excellent thanks to the slimming down of the windscreen pillars and the moving of the windscreen slightly closer to the front seats. The view out to the rear is also very good and one of our shorter road testers said she had no trouble at all in normal driving and reverse parking.

Touareg is predictable in the way it handles and only a tiny number of owners will ever come close to finding its limits, when the aforementioned safety electronics will get them out of trouble. Body roll for a largish SUV is minimal.

Cleverly, though it has increased in size, the new VW Touareg is almost 100 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model. This weight reduction has been achieved not only by the different 4WD systems, but also in many other areas throughout the vehicle.

Clever engine and transmission design, as well as the aforementioned trimming of weight, has reduced fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 20 per cent compared with the outgoing Touareg. Our review vehicle used about seven to nine litres per hundred kilometres in country running, increasing to nine to eleven litres around town or in hilly country. These are excellent figures for a large vehicle in this class.

VERDICT

All-in-all the new Volkswagen Touareg has logical improvements on the original in almost all areas and should be a big seller with appealing combination of style, space and safety.

MODEL RANGE
150 TDI 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $62,990 (automatic)
V6 FSI 3.6-litre V6 petrol five-door wagon: $67,990 (automatic)
V6 TDI 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $77,990 (automatic)
V6 TDI 4XMotion 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $82,990 (automatic)

Volkswagen Touareg 150TDI
Price: From $62,990
Warranty: 3 years/ unlimited km
Spare: space saver/ temporary
Engine: 3.0-litreV6 diesel 150kW/400Nm
Transmission: 8 gears, sports automatic
Body:  4898mm (L), 1965 mm (W), 1732 mm (H)
Weight: 2154 kg
Thirst: 7.2 L/100km, 190g/km CO2

Pricing guides

$17,999
Based on 25 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$11,990
Highest Price
$22,990

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
150 TDI 3.0L, Diesel, 8 SP AUTO $19,580 – 24,750 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 150 TDI Pricing and Specs
V6 TDI 3.0L, Diesel, 8 SP AUTO $22,770 – 28,050 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 V6 TDI Pricing and Specs
V6 FSI 3.6L, PULP, 8 SP AUTO $22,770 – 28,050 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 V6 FSI Pricing and Specs
V6 TDI 4XMotion 3.0L, Diesel, 8 SP AUTO $19,250 – 24,310 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 V6 TDI 4XMotion Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
8
Ewan Kennedy
Contributing Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$11,990

Lowest price, based on 24 car listings in the last 6 months

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.