Volkswagen never really got into the SUV craze up until the new millennium. Their North American competitors basked in the high-margin, high-demand craze that saw vehicles like the Ford Explorer take over North America’s suburban highways. When VW announced the development of the PL71 large-SUV platform around 2002, a lot of people were anxious to see what would come to market considering VW’s long-time successes with their cars. What the world would actually see was a serious collaborative result with Audi and Porsche that ticked off all the right boxes with a little something for everybody. Named after a nomadic people, many had trouble with its pronouciation in the beginning. I call it the “twa-reg”. It was a handsome two-box design with lots of clean lines, excellent visibility, and tons of utility. There was a wide variety of powertrains available, and a legitimate low-speed transfer case gave it points with the off-road enthusiasts. Diesel was made available right from the beginning, with the insane bi-turbo 5.0L V10 diesel engine.
This engine focused more on performance and towing ability rather than outright efficiency, so fuel economy and overall emissions could never be described as being good. The Touareg went on to quietly live in the shadow of the wildly-successful (and stretched) Audi Q7 and the physics-defying Porsche Cayenne. I picked up the comically-large key fob and scoped out my 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Highline. The second-generation was introduced in 2010 and largely kept the same profile as the outgoing model. Upright side proportions and an upright rear tailgate means lots of squared-off room for your stuff. The low sills allow for great visibility in all directions, including over your shoulders in the rear quarters. The headlights and front fascia follow VW’s newest somewhat-conservative family styling, but it still looks like a Touareg. Fun fact: there are two intercoolers for the engine, nestled within the air dams under each headlight. You can see the familial link between the Q7 and Cayenne - not a bad thing at all. My tester came equipped with 275-section Pirelli winter tires on 20-inch “Mallory” wheels that do a good job filling out the large wheel-wells.
Of note are the large multi-piston brake calipers sitting over very large brake rotors. The question of whether the Touareg was just the “working man’s” version of its two more glamorous cousins came up from time to time. Inside, the Touareg features VW’s typically excellent interior, finished in a beautiful Saddle Brown - a great compliment to the handsome exterior. You sit upright with lots of space in every direction. The seats are comfortable, and it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position with lots of adjustment available including electric lumbar support. The 8.5” screen in the centre console houses satellite navigation, audio, and climate controls, but there are enough hard buttons to make everything logical to operate. The instrument cluster gauges are laid-out in usual VW fashion as well, with the familiar LCD screen in the middle. Rear seat occupants are treated to generous accommodations, and the available panoramic sunroof brings the outside light in.
Out back, the power lift-gate provides access to a very square opening, and the second-row of seats can fold down at the touch of a button. The Touareg is available with a choice of engines. Gone are the days of the V8 and V10, but the two V6s that remain make a lot more sense in most applications. The base engine is a 3.6L V6 of the “VR6” variety. It’s not a bad choice for those who prefer gasoline, but I think the more appropriate powertrain is this TDI engine. People have noted how expensive diesel is these days - while they are correct, it’s important to keep in mind that diesel is a much more power-dense fuel. A single litre of it can do so much more and get you farther down the road. While the impact on your wallet may not be much different nowadays compared to the gasoline model in day-to-day costs, having access to such a huge range between fillups is worth considering. There may be times where your body needs to stop for a break before the Touareg TDI does.
