2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 TDI Highline 4MOTION Review

From the moment the Touareg hit the market, auto critics have applauded its off-road capabilities and comfortable ride. However, the SUV’s girth and weight never allowed it to be reasonable on gas. It didn’t matter if you chose the V6 or the V8 (the V8 is no longer available in Canada), all Touaregs had an appetite for fuel, which isn’t unusual for this type of vehicle.

From the moment the Touareg hit the market, auto critics have applauded its off-road capabilities and comfortable ride.

But not anymore. VW’s latest diesel engine—excuse me, TDI Clean Diesel engine saves the day and addresses one of the big SUV’s few shortcomings.

Prodigious torque
Don’t let the 3.0-litre displacement or 225-horsepower peak output fool you. The turbocharged V6 gets twin cams, 24 valves and direct injection and produces a mighty 407 lb-ft of torque from just 1,750 rpm. Zero to 100 km/h takes 8.8 seconds, which is a blink of an eye slower than the gasoline-powered V6 model.

On the highway at 100 km/h, the engine is churning at 1,850 rpm, right where all that torque is found; that means gear changes are kept to a minimum, which increases fuel economy. Our average of 10.9 L/100 km is pretty good for a four-wheel drive truck that weighs 5,141 lbs (2,332 kg).

As with all turbodiesel engines that rely on their low-rpm torque to get the vehicle moving, power drops off dramatically after 4,000 revs. Under normal driving, though, where you rarely reach that engine speed, the TDI drives like its gas-powered brother.

Pulls Gs and trailers
The Touareg shares many of its structural components with the Audi Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne; that’s good. VW’s SUV has notable off-road capabilities, thanks to its driver-selectable transfer case and high ground clearance.

But it also displays good manners on the road, and doesn’t feel at all like a clumsy, heavy SUV. And just like the conventional V6 model, the TDI can tow up to 7,700 lbs or 3,500 kg.

Don’t let the 3.0-litre displacement or 225-horsepower peak output fool you.