Hose it off and you've got a street-smart SUV that looks as comfortable parked outside your favorite weekend restaurant as it does, say, at the top
of an abandoned ski-hill.
Of course, the Touareg works well as a daily driver when pavement is bare too. The interior is exceedingly roomy for four or five adults. Seats can be moved, folded or dispensed with as needed to carry just about any goods you might need, from a trunkload of hockey equipment to some furniture or a family's worth of weekend camping gear.
Visibility is adequate, and parking doesn't pose much of a problem either. The huge mirrors even fold out of the way at the press of a button for tight spaces, and the passenger side mirror automatically tilts down when reversing to afford a clear view of the curb you may scrape otherwise.
Convenience is the name of the game in such well-stocked Volkswagen products, and the Touareg, even the test vehicles fairly base trim, is full of it. Many functions which commonly require holding a button or switch in lesser machines are presented with one-touch operation in the Touareg.
For instance: cleaning the windsheild, opening the sunroof, starting the engine and opening or closing either front window only require a quick tap on the appropriate switch or button. Headlights and wipers are automatic, and the result is that the driver never has to give up use of his hand for more than a second or two to operate most of the features.
My favorite feature? The "REST" button. When leaving the truck for a few minutes while fueling, shopping or visiting a fast-food joint for lunch, the driver presses the button, and the heat is left on a half hour until they return to a toasty warm interior.
There are two power outlets up front, two more in the trunk, and even a household outlet, first aid and fire extinguisher fitted inside of the large cargo hold in back.
With all of this proficiency and a useful interior, the Touareg comes off as a true "go anywhere, do anything, any time, and in any weather, even if the road is washed out" family hauler. The experience generated by all of this is one of pure, smug satisfaction.
All hell could be breaking loose just inches from occupants, while they sit inside coddled by heated leather at every seat, listening to the powerful stereo system and kept at their desired temperatures by the clever Climatronic system. All the while, the ride is mostly smooth, never showing off its toughness until the road becomes especially bumpy. Only very undulating or rough pavement upsets the Touareg's composure. It's strikingly quiet too- especially impressive considering it's got the drag co-efficient of a bungalow.
It's almost too perfect, as though nothing could spoil the experience.
Unfortunately though, there is one problem. I mentioned the Touareg as being just like Sean Connery, and there's one more similarity to relate: they both have a bit of a drinking problem.
Average highway mileage from the 280 horsepower test vehicle was a dismal 15.9L / 100km. A bit of trail-blasting, as rewarding as it was, left my pockets empty as the Touareg swilled away over 23L / 100km. Overall test average was a thirsty 19L / 100km. The Touareg drinks premium too, by the way.
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| 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V6 (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
Of course, the Touareg works well as a daily driver when pavement is bare too. The interior is exceedingly roomy for four or five adults. Seats can be moved, folded or dispensed with as needed to carry just about any goods you might need, from a trunkload of hockey equipment to some furniture or a family's worth of weekend camping gear.
Visibility is adequate, and parking doesn't pose much of a problem either. The huge mirrors even fold out of the way at the press of a button for tight spaces, and the passenger side mirror automatically tilts down when reversing to afford a clear view of the curb you may scrape otherwise.
Convenience is the name of the game in such well-stocked Volkswagen products, and the Touareg, even the test vehicles fairly base trim, is full of it. Many functions which commonly require holding a button or switch in lesser machines are presented with one-touch operation in the Touareg.
 |
| 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V6 (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
My favorite feature? The "REST" button. When leaving the truck for a few minutes while fueling, shopping or visiting a fast-food joint for lunch, the driver presses the button, and the heat is left on a half hour until they return to a toasty warm interior.
There are two power outlets up front, two more in the trunk, and even a household outlet, first aid and fire extinguisher fitted inside of the large cargo hold in back.
With all of this proficiency and a useful interior, the Touareg comes off as a true "go anywhere, do anything, any time, and in any weather, even if the road is washed out" family hauler. The experience generated by all of this is one of pure, smug satisfaction.
All hell could be breaking loose just inches from occupants, while they sit inside coddled by heated leather at every seat, listening to the powerful stereo system and kept at their desired temperatures by the clever Climatronic system. All the while, the ride is mostly smooth, never showing off its toughness until the road becomes especially bumpy. Only very undulating or rough pavement upsets the Touareg's composure. It's strikingly quiet too- especially impressive considering it's got the drag co-efficient of a bungalow.
It's almost too perfect, as though nothing could spoil the experience.
 |
| 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V6 (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
Average highway mileage from the 280 horsepower test vehicle was a dismal 15.9L / 100km. A bit of trail-blasting, as rewarding as it was, left my pockets empty as the Touareg swilled away over 23L / 100km. Overall test average was a thirsty 19L / 100km. The Touareg drinks premium too, by the way.