The Touareg is a colossal SUV without the arrogance factor.
So what’s new? Well you’ll probably have already noticed the updated front end styling, which takes the flagship Golf’s look and up-scales it for the Touareg’s epic dimensions. This mid-life refresh has a lot going on under the skin, too.
The V6 TDI diesel engine, which comes in two power levels, is now cleaner, with more power from the higher-output version. They’ve been modified to comply with Euro 6 emissions legislation, but there’s a crucial AdBlue additive that owners will need to keep topped up.
For a large SUV the Touareg manages to look impressively inoffensive. It dodges the brash, Chelsea Tractor look of plenty of its often more expensive confederates, and that can only be a good thing for Volkswagen’s target buyers.
There’s also an off-road biased model with a higher ride height, smaller alloy wheels and differential locks, which looks the business and tackles serious mud-plugging amazingly well when fitted with knobbly tyres.
If you’re close pals with the BFG then he might not fit in the back, but for everyone else there’s limo-like space and a broad cabin that makes it possible to slot three wriggling kids in across the rear bench seat without having them bash shoulders.
The boot lip is quite high as you’d expect, but handy touches like (optional) adjustable air suspension can lower it. Towing capacity is up to 3.5 tonnes, and a special reversing camera can help solo occupants hitch a caravan or trailer without help. It’s as practical as a pair of sturdy old boots, only it looks a lot nicer.
Plenty of space in the engine bay means extra room for sound insulation, and the Touareg is as quiet as two church mice having a staring contest. The engine is barely audible at a steady cruise, and wind noise is very well subdued.
There are two sun visors at each front corner of the cabin to better block the low sun, and the door mirrors are mounted intelligently, which is to say low enough so they don’t obscure your view at junctions.
The higher-powered engine is the one to go for thanks to a big hike in torque output, which muscles the heavy SUV along nicely. The controls are a little too light to inspire confidence, though, and the brakes need a very firm squeeze.
There’s enough reading in the standard equipment list to keep you busy for an afternoon, and while prices have increased you do get a little more for your money. The options list is very expensive, though, with four-figure sums next to many of the most desirable tick-boxes. Adding a few choice extras can heavily knock the car’s perceived value for money.
The Touareg isn’t just a ‘cheap’ alternative to something like an Audi Q7 or a Porsche Cayenne. It’s more sensible, less in-your-face and would be better for families or business users who want this size of vehicle without the arrogance factor.
Three quarters of Touaregs sold in the UK so far have been sold first as company cars, so VW is expecting that to continue. People looking for a hybrid or high-power diesel will miss out, though, because while VW does build them both, the UK is not taking them – yet.
Facts & figures
Model: Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI 262 SE
Price: £44,500
Engine: 3.0-litre diesel unit producing 258bhp and 428lb/ft of torque
Performance: Top speed 141mph, 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds
Economy: 42.8mpg combined
CO2 rating: 174g/km