As a sign of the current trends and times, Volkswagen’s newest flagship model is not the distinctive Arteon saloon. Instead, that honor now belongs to the all-new Touareg SUV. It faces tough competition, but the gadget-laden third-generation Touareg is using technology to its advantage. It won't be coming to the U.S. Tiguan and Atlas SUVs - yet we thought you'd still be interested to find out what the Touareg is up to overseas. This new model aspires to sell many more copies of itself than the old one, and so VW has brought its A-game to the SUV party. The new Touareg sits on the same platform as the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga - so it’s in good company. Despite being larger than before, it actually weighs 234 pounds fewer thanks to a body that is now 48-percent aluminum. It’s quite a smart-looking thing, don’t you think? While its huge chrome grill that encompasses the headlights is domineering, the rest of this SUV is more subtle than some rivals. Polite creases and soft curves create a grownup look that isn’t desperately trying to capture every passerby’s attention.
Sure, it is a bit showier than its subdued predecessor, but it retains a sense of maturity. Some may argue that an SUV should be a style statement, but those who aren’t keen on vivid paint or huge chromed alloys will value the Touareg’s candor. The new cabin previews what is to come for the rest of the Volkswagen range in the form of the Innovation Cockpit. Formed by combining an optional 12-inch digital driver's display with a huge 15-inch touchscreen that’s angled toward the driver, it rivals the large screen found in Tesla EVs. Not only is there plenty of real estate to take advantage of, but it runs new software that allows you to customize your home screen with various widgets. Some functions are hidden within multiple menus, pretty frustrating at first, but once you arrange it to your liking you’ll find the system responsive and full of useful features. Other tech includes massaging seats, four-zone climate control, and trendy mood lighting.
It’s a comfortable place to spend time, with good quality materials lining the cabin while the large windows serve to amplify a sense of space. The rear bench seats three with the middle passenger needing to tackle a low but wide transmission hump. Open the tailgate to reveal enough space for a dog or two - there’s actually a little more room than in an Audi Q7. Or, if you fold the seats flat, a plentiful 64 cubic feet is yours. The trouble with SUVs is that, while they might offer loads of luggage space, you have to lug whatever heavy item up to the height of the cargo floor before setting it down. Thankfully the Touareg can squat 1.57 inches at the rear to aid loading, providing you opt for the air suspension. There’s also an electric tow hook available if you need to pull up to 7,716 pounds.
How does it drive? We took the 3.0-liter V6 TDI for a spin, and despite the diesel who-ha, it’s still expected to be the best-selling engine in Europe. After a moment of spooling the turbo, the 286-horsepower engine pulls cleanly thanks to a healthy 443 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels with the aid of a silky smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox that subtly swaps cogs in the background, although sudden acceleration does catch it out at times. It's a tranquil drive with road noise being well suppressed, and only a little wind noise from the A-pillars intruding at motorway speeds. Selecting Comfort Mode keeps the steering light and the car’s air suspension supple enough to cushion the few road imperfections we could find on Austria’s smooth Tarmac. A more conclusive test on some broken roads awaits, but we reckon it’ll acquit itself well. The car’s Adaptive Cruise Control and array of supporting systems are well worth a mention. With everything engaged, the Touareg will keep you in your lane, maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, and adjust to changing speed limits.
It also uses GPS to slow the car for tight bends, junctions, and roundabouts - clever stuff. Around town the Touareg has another tech trick up its sleeve to make life with an SUV easier. Rear-wheel steering will turn the back wheels in the opposite direction to the front at speeds of up to 19 miles per hour. The result is a turning circle that’s just 7.9 inches wider than that of a Volkswagen Golf and urban choreography that is easier to live with. Good all-around visibility makes parking more pleasant, as does a 360-degree reversing camera. If you want to push the Touareg, you’ll want to select Sport Mode and take manual control of the gears via wheel-mounted paddles. The transmission is responsive, quickly dispensing your selected ratio. When driving with a bit of vigor you can feel the Active Ride Control at work impressively reducing body roll and maintaining a sense of composure. There isn’t much interaction through the controls, but the all-wheel-drive traction and ample grip make for a confident drive.
