» Get the best price on a new Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI

Long-term Test
Volkswagen Touareg V6 3.0 TDI

LATEST UPDATES
Fuelling Around
Great, but not perfect
Tow Test
Taking Delivery
Introduction

TOUAREG AT 10,000km

The Touareg's torquey diesel continues to impress, though if anything it seems more elastic now we've passed 10,000kms.

Response is excellent from standstill and there's good pull right through midrange, helped by the orderly six-speed auto. Kickdown from top is best prompted with the self-shift option, which is quick to act and smooth-operating.

Touareg's handling and steering are quick-witted and certainly among the best in its class. Aside from some body roll into tight corners the big SUV can be as wieldy and stable as any low-ride wagon.

Braking -- smooth, stable, quiet -- remains the same after some bouts of heavy towing (more here) during the 10,000kms.

The Touareg has a quiet ride, exhibiting no noise from the suspension, at least over the usual road bump and grind like speed humps and driveways. Road noise from the tyres is barely noticeable and there's still no wind noise intruding the solid cabin from any of the window seals or the sunroof.

There's a slight rattle in the dash trim but if the hearty audio system (six-speaker; multi-disc) is left silent the most sound the Touareg makes is a distant whistle from the diesel's turbo.

Sensibly, we stayed with the standard 17 x 7 1/2 wheels, rather than going for the flashy optional 19s and the big wagon is more versatile for it. Parking is easy with a relatively good turning circle and low steering effort, and park sensors front and rear.

Unlike some other large SUV rivals the Touareg doesn't have the option of a third row of seating but accommodation is spacious for five passengers. Seating all 'round is full-sized with decent room for three adult passengers in the rear. The seats are a little flat but no less comfortable without the heavy bolstering offered on some luxury rivals.

Touareg's vision is okay but we would still suggest opting for the front and rear parking sensors even if its most out-of-sight points are the low-set bumpers. The quibbles we had initially regarding three-quarter rear sight lines have largely vanished with familiarity.

Still an issue for some of our testers are the Touareg's rather beefy A-pillars. These combine with the large side mirrors to potentially block sight lines at intersections. We've learned to look around the blindspot but this is a vehicle in which we've trained ourselves to take a second look -- just in case.

The big mirrors have one redeeming feature -- they provide a good view down Touareg's flanks when parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces. They're also useful when towing.

The electrically-adjustable front seats are a nice inclusion (standard on all models above the R5). With upwards of five of us regularly driving the long-termer, however, a memory function would be handy.

Height and reach adjustable steering also helps the Touareg suit the variously shaped crew... We've heard no complaints in terms of driver comfort with a number of all day sessions included in our recent usage.

Touareg's cabin has good-sized storage spaces, positioned in out-of-the-way places so as not to affect the interior styling which is more upmarket than the utilitarian and Tupperware-robust (American) SUVs we won't mention.

Plenty useful and super comfortable, the 'Reggie would have to be our most popular long-termer so far. Ed Sinclair likes it for all the rear space to load the clan and cycles; my household likes it simply for its comfort, space and efficiency (we regularly turn 11L/100km) over a long drive and its room for adult friends, while contributor Kealy has asked for it to tow a caravan, and his motorcycles, and farm equipment... Several times!

The Touareg's 'real' SUV form became yet more redeemable when we were able to leave Territorys and the like in our wake during heavy rain which flooded an arterial road in Melbourne. Hardly a test of its off-road abilities, for the record the Touareg's wading depth is 500mm when fitted with the steel suspension like our tester's. We used most of it...

Speaking of tubs, it could sure use one even though the silver duco does well to hide most dirt and the paint surface appears hard-wearing. The front wheels become quickly covered in brake dust but for its first wash we used a soft cloth and water, and were done in no time. The Touareg's uncluttered interior makes it easy to vacuum and the 'Cricket' leather trim is cleanable simply with a damp cloth.

So it's easily transformed from rugged, useful load hauler and farm-hand to luxurious, spacious transport for five adults. The Touareg is certainly earning its keep.

To comment on this article click here

Also read:
Fuelling Around
Great, but not perfect
Tow Test
Taking Delivery
Introduction