The mission was to develop a sporty, capable, high-performance SUV that could tow something heavy and tackle rough trails. Some years back, Porsche and Volkswagen sat around the table to make it happen by way of a joint SUV platform. Subsequently, the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg were born.
Each model boasted different equipment and engines, though the underlying principle was the same. They both got transfer-case four wheel drive systems, accommodating dimensions, robust construction and plenty of real-world capability.
The lower-priced Volkswagen Touareg was available to Canadian shoppers from 2004 to 2007 before the updated Touareg 'II' hit the streets with additional features and a redesign. The original Touareg made sense as a more solid and truck-like alternative to the slew of car-based crossover SUV's that had begun to flood the market.
Though it was something of a rarity, the tough-truck approach seems to have struck a chord with a loyal following of owners.
Depending on the year you're shopping in, you'll find power available from a V6, V8 or even a V10 engine. The V6 engine lineup displaced either 3.2 or 3.6 litres and developed between 220 and 280 horsepower. The V8 was a 4.2 litre with between 306 and 350 horsepower, year-dependent. Available for a short time was a V10 TDI powerplant, employing a stump-pulling turbo-diesel engine with over 550 lb.-ft of torque.
Owners tend to love the Touareg's high driving position, relatively comfortable ride, premium quality, interior style, high-end features and appreciable capacities related to towing and interior space.
Common issues include a relatively high step-in height, some awkward controls and a frustrating automatic wiper sensor that rarely selects the proper speed. Additionally, nearly all owners acknowledge that their fuel and repair bills tend to be hefty.
Be sure you need the capability and size available from the Touareg. If not, something smaller and lighter will help keep your fuel bills down. Look for a six-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual modes to handle gear-shifting duty, and consider the V8 engine if you're planning to do some serious towing.
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| Touareg proves a more affordable alternative to the Porsche Cayenne. |
Each model boasted different equipment and engines, though the underlying principle was the same. They both got transfer-case four wheel drive systems, accommodating dimensions, robust construction and plenty of real-world capability.
The lower-priced Volkswagen Touareg was available to Canadian shoppers from 2004 to 2007 before the updated Touareg 'II' hit the streets with additional features and a redesign. The original Touareg made sense as a more solid and truck-like alternative to the slew of car-based crossover SUV's that had begun to flood the market.
Though it was something of a rarity, the tough-truck approach seems to have struck a chord with a loyal following of owners.
Depending on the year you're shopping in, you'll find power available from a V6, V8 or even a V10 engine. The V6 engine lineup displaced either 3.2 or 3.6 litres and developed between 220 and 280 horsepower. The V8 was a 4.2 litre with between 306 and 350 horsepower, year-dependent. Available for a short time was a V10 TDI powerplant, employing a stump-pulling turbo-diesel engine with over 550 lb.-ft of torque.
Owners tend to love the Touareg's high driving position, relatively comfortable ride, premium quality, interior style, high-end features and appreciable capacities related to towing and interior space.
Common issues include a relatively high step-in height, some awkward controls and a frustrating automatic wiper sensor that rarely selects the proper speed. Additionally, nearly all owners acknowledge that their fuel and repair bills tend to be hefty.
Be sure you need the capability and size available from the Touareg. If not, something smaller and lighter will help keep your fuel bills down. Look for a six-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual modes to handle gear-shifting duty, and consider the V8 engine if you're planning to do some serious towing.
 |
| Be sure you need the capability and size available from the Touareg. |