| Overall Rating |
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| Description |
| Touareg is VW's first big luxury 4x4 - and a sister model to the ultra-expensive Porsche Cayenne - and it's a totally credible, sophisticated, well-engineered Range Rover rival. The V10's power is awesome. |
| Handling |
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| Comfort |
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| Quality & Reliability |
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| Performance |
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| Roominess |
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| Running Costs |
 |
| Value for Money |
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| Stereo/Sat Nav |
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| NCAP |
| Not tested |
| Worst Models |
| None |
| Replacement |
| 2010 |
|
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| Road Test |
| With a 310 bhp V8 or a hugely torquey V10 TDi diesel, Touareg rivals Range Rover in performance, road manners and mud-plugging ability - even if Volkswagen doesn't have the same heritage or experience in this sector. Floating on its self-adjusting air suspension on the motorway, agile on back roads and cosseting in the city, Touareg is surprisingly nimble for such a large vehicle, and it's as sporting a drive as the BMW X5. With differential locks and low-ratio gears, plus loads of electronic aids, it?s also hugely capable off-road - though few buyers will test its limits. Refined, luxurious and sophisticated, it could be said to lack Range Rover's towering presence; for some prestige 4x4 buyers, this could possibly be a negative. Arguably more attractive than Porsche?s controversial Cayenne, it's also better value, although at this price level, this is relative. The 2.5 TDI and 3.2 V6 will be cheaper to run, though significantly slower. |
| Positive Points |
- Roomy, comfortable and well equipped
- Very high quality cabin upholstery and trim
- Better to drive than most large 4x4s
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| Negative Points |
- Top models are seriously over-priced
- Lumpy styling (but better than Cayenne?)
- Not catching on
- VW lacks 4x4 kudos
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