Well the Knights have invaded the American shores in both Canada and the U.S., bringing an awesome set of wheels along for the ride. The Touareg can be called many things in this era of crossover vehicles, but to put it simply it's a very high-end premium SUV for a middle of the road price. Volkswagen puts it this way: "Touareg combines the merits of an off-road vehicle with those of a luxury-class estate car." Somebody remind me, this is a VW we're talking about, right?
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| The Touareg combines the merits of an off-road vehicle with those of a luxury-class estate car, and a sticker price to match. (Photo: Volkswagen AG) |
Well yes and no. The Touareg is built alongside the Porsche Cayenne in a new plant in Germany, and due to a strategic partnership with the sports car manufacturer shares its basic architecture - hardly commoner status. Truly, if you were to call the Touareg the poor man's Porsche you'd be absolutely correct, provided that poor man can scrape together $53K Canadian or $34K U.S.
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| Volkswagen's SUV is perhaps the most refined, best engineered, and sharpest looking SUV ever. (Photo: Volkswagen AG) |
Like the Cayenne it is a five-seat, four-door mid-size SUV featuring permanent four-wheel drive and V8 power. But unlike the Porsche the Touareg also comes with a base V6, and on the opposite end of the spectrum will arrive in the near future boasting a TDI V10 - but more on that later.
Several months ago I examined a Touareg; sat in it, touched and twisted, pushed and prodded all that I could. My verdict? Volkswagen's SUV is perhaps the most refined, best engineered, sharpest looking SUV ever. Sorry Cayenne, FX and XC90, but my nod goes to the big 'T'.
Contrasted against Infiniti's FX line the Touareg may appear bland to some, but frankly I find it muscular, proportionate, clean and symmetrical. There's nothing cartoonish or superhero about its design. My myopically corrected vision perceives images of Passat styling cues from the grille rearward to the A-pillar, blending further toward the back with nuances of Cayenne.