Volkswagen’s new updates for the Touareg are subtle, but noticeable enough to give the facelifted SUV more presence and a refreshed look. The front fascia has larger headlamps with bi-xenon lights, which are now standard on all versions of the Touareg, while the redesigned grille comes with four chrome horizontal trims instead of two. The new bumper, which apparently borrows cues from the 2014 Volkswagen Scirocco R, breathes a sportier feel into the SUV, also giving it a more impressive stance on the road. Below the bumper, a new spoiler has been added for improved aerodynamics. Around back, we have a revised bumper that includes LED fog lights, as well as a new diffuser flanked by redesigned exhaust pipes. Customers looking to add an extra pinch of chrome to both the front and the rear fascias can do so by selecting the Chrome & Style package. The facelifted Touareg’s interior looks pretty much familiar to those that are acquainted with the previous iteration.
For 2015, Volkswagen shuffled some of the controls and switches and added a new rotary knob for Climatronic, running gear, air suspension, navigation and mirror adjustments. Also new are the extended push button/display bar on the center console and additional chrome details for the control panel and running gear controls. For upholstery, the signature Vienna leather has received a fourth, new Bonanza Brown color, while the Nappa leather can be had in a light sand hue dubbed St. Tropez. Finally, customers can fit their SUV’s dashboard, console, and door panels with the new Sapelli Mahagoni or Engineered Ebony wood accents. Powertrains remain unchanged for North America and include the same gasoline, diesel, and hybrid offerings. First up is the 3.6-liter V-6 FSI, which is rated at 280 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Then there’s the hybrid option that combines the same gasoline unit with an electric motor for 380 horsepower and a fairly impressive 428 pound-feet of torque.
Finally, the turbodiesel 3.0-liter V-6 delivers 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque and the highest fuel economy estimates at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The eight-speed automatic transmission and stop-start are standard on all models. The second-gen Cayenne received its mid-cycle refresh for the 2015 model year, which brought revised front and rear fascias, a new steering wheel based on the 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder’s and redesigned seats. In the drivetrain department, S E-Hybrid model received 36 additional horses for a new output of 416 horsepower, while the Cayenne S had its rating increased to 420 horsepower, despite having its 4.8-liter V-8 replaced with a 3.6-liter V-6. The Cayenne Turbo now boasts 520 horses and 553 pound-feet of torque, which accounts for a 20-horsepower and 37-pound-foot gain. The Cayenne Diesel’s 3.0-liter V-6 cranks out 240 horses and 406 pound-feet of torque. 5,100 from the model it replaces. Find out more about the Porsche Cayenne here.
Overhauled for the 2016 model year, the Q7 is the newest SUV in this comparison. Reshaped into a more angular vehicle that now resembles a wagon more than a full-fledged SUV, the Q7 is significantly lighter, with some trims weighing up to 716 pounds less than their predecessors. The revamped interior is not only fresh to look at, but also offers increased legroom, headroom and cargo capacity. The new engine lineup includes two gasoline units. There’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 252 horsepower and 272 pound-feet and a 3.0-liter V-6 generating 333 horses and 325 pound-feet. In the diesel department, a 3.0-liter V-6 can be had with either 218 horses and 369 pound-feet or 272 horses and 442 pound-feet. Finally, the Q7 e-tron, which combines a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel with an electric motor, cranks out 373 horses and 516 pound-feet of twist. Read more about the new Audi Q7 in our review here.
Design- and performance-wise, the new Touareg is still not as attractive as the Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q7, but its German siblings come from a different pricing perspective. On the other hand, the 2015 Touareg seems the better option when utility, affordability and fuel consumption are priorities. Volkswagen launched the Touareg back in 2004 when the company wanted to offer an off-road vehicle that could handle like a sports car. The first-generation Touareg was offered with a choice of four gasoline engines and three diesel powertrains. The most powerful version was offered with a 6.0-liter W-12 engine that delivered a total of 444 horsepower. The model received its first revision in 2007 when Volkswagen added some exterior and interior updates. The second-generation Touareg was unveiled at the 2010 Beijing International Auto Show. The model offers a choice of four gasoline and four diesel powertrains. For the first time, Touareg has an optional a hybrid powertrain that combines a high-voltage electric motor with a direct-injected, supercharged TSI V-6 cranking out 333 horsepower and an 8 speed automatic transmission. The prototype caught testing is wearing camouflage on the front bumper and grille, plus the headlights and air intakes, meaning of course that only this parts will be updated. You should expect a design language similar to what we have seen in the seventh-generation Golf, updated of course for a SUV model.
