Subscribe
Save article | View favourites
March 10, 2010
   2011 Volkswagen Touareg. Click image to enlarge |
My first impressions of the new Touareg are favourable: this is a classy ride with plenty of passenger space, generous cargo utility, the safety of all-wheel drive, above-average handling for a mid-size SUV, and lots of luxury features as standard equipment.
The new interior is attractive and well-finished and you could be forgiven for thinking you’re sitting in an Audi Q7 or a Porsche Cayenne. The combination of attractive leather or “leatherette” seats, real wood trim, chrome and aluminum accents looks really good, and controls such as the large touch-screen with its menu-driven inputs for navigation, climate and radio, are easy to use. The base Comfortline trim level includes leatherette upholstery while the Highline and Execline trim levels offer leather seating surfaces.
I liked the meaty console shifter, the push-button electronic handbrake, and the bright information screen between the tachometer and speedo. I also found the leather front seats extremely comfortable over a day’s drive and when I had a chance to sit in the rear while the vehicle was being driven enthusiastically by an eager journalist on windy Italian roads, I didn’t feel car-sick and had plenty of legroom and headroom. Both split rear seats move fore and aft for increased legroom or cargo room, and the seatbacks recline, although not very far.
The new Touareg’s handling and stability are outstanding considering it has a generous 22-cm ground clearance. I found the ride a little on the firm side, though not uncomfortable. The turning circle is surprisingly tight for an AWD vehicle, and this really came in handy when I got lost in Florence and needed to make a few U-turns. The new Stop-Start system saves fuel by turning off the engine at traffic lights, but on one occasion, I noticed a momentary loss of power steering when attempting to turn the steering wheel as the engine automatically restarted. This will need further investigation at a later date.
  2011 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI. Click image to enlarge |
The Touareg TDI is surprisingly quiet for a diesel, with just a little noise entering the cabin under acceleration. Its generous torque makes passing slower cars effortless when merging or lane-changing and it cruises very nicely on the autostrada.
The Touareg Hybrid is a slightly different driving experience. It’s a little heavier, so not quite as nimble, but still a very comfortable, competent driver with plenty of power. It’s difficult to tell when the engine automatically shuts off while coasting – the transition from gas engine to electric power is almost imperceptible. And unlike many hybrids, there’s virtually no whine from the electric motor when coasting to a stop. However, the Touareg hybrid’s regenerative brakes are so sensitive that even a light touch on the brake pedal can produce a lurching motion. I think the sensitivity of these brakes will need to be adjusted before it goes on sale.
According to Volkswagen Canada, Touareg buyers typically cross-shop SUV models from BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Lexus and Acura rather than Toyota, Honda and Nissan because the Touareg is perceived (and priced) as a premium SUV. The new 2011 Touareg expands on this upscale image with a higher level of quality, a more comfortable interior, greater utility, better fuel economy and emissions, and an improved driving experience. All in all, it’s a significantly improved SUV, but a lot will depend on the pricing, which should be announced closer to the on-sale date in October, 2010. The new Touareg will continue to be built in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Related posts:
Review by 
