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2008 Volkswagen Touareg Performance Review

August 1, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

longest braking distance of this pack” of eight SUVs
Car and Driver

an extremely capable off-roader
Kelley Blue Book

a vehicle that can go practically anywhere
Edmunds

V6 labors in mountain driving and highway passing
ConsumerGuide

off-road champ, on-road contender
MyRide.com

even more ludicrously hypercapable off-road
Popular Mechanics

The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg applies every one of its 5,000-plus pounds to startling off-road prowess--and to startling on-road fuel consumption and unwieldiness.

The Touareg’s two gasoline-powered engines benefit from Audi/VW’s gasoline direct-injection wizardry, dubbed FSI. But rather than reducing their thirst, they upped the power to contend with all that curb weight. The base 276-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, contends Kelley Blue Book, now “provides adequate power.” The optional V-8, fortified to the tune of 350 horsepower, “provides adequate power” and yields “a subtle growl when passing,” remarks Motor Trend. Edmunds finds the 5.0-liter turbodiesel V-10, at 310 hp and a stump-pulling 553 pound-feet of torque, to be “the most intriguing (and expensive) entry.” It also yields both the swiftest acceleration and the best fuel economy.

All engines are paired with “a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive,” reports Kelley Blue Book, who explain that the Touareg’s “low-range gear, adaptive torque distribution and locking center differential help take the Touareg 2 over the most intimidating terrain.” Car and Driver complains that transmission in their test vehicle “whined whenever the vehicle was coasting.” But Edmunds praises the “rock-solid platform co-developed with Porsche,” that is “more in line with the Range Rover than the growing number of soft-roader crossovers.”

All of this brute strength, off-road ability, and stout structure take their toll at the pump. The EPA rates the Touareg at 14/19 mpg, 12/17 mpg, and 15/20 mpg for the V-6, V-8, and diesel, respectively—all dismal numbers in this age of skyrocketing oil prices. Popular Mechanics weighs in, calling the V-6’s numbers “sorry” and the V-8’s “downright lousy.” Edmunds comments, “fuel economy is relatively poor for this class of vehicle.” Note that premium is recommended for both gasoline engines.

All that weight takes a toll on the handling as well. ConsumerGuide feels that “Touareg 2 feels ponderous in fast changes of direction, and it's no match for lighter SUVs such as the Acura MDX or Lexus RX.” Still, the Touareg’s steering and handling are generally praised: “light steering and a supple off-road ride,” comments Car and Driver; “The ride is compliant yet provides plenty of road feel, and the fairly responsive steering feels artificial at low speed,” remarks Motor Trend. But bringing that weight to a halt resulted in “the longest braking distance of this pack,” reports Car and Driver in an eight-SUV comparison.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg masters trails, swills fossil fuel, and overwhelms its powerful engines with its massive curb weight.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:longest braking distance of this pack” of eight SUVsCar and Driveran extremely capable off-roaderKelley Blue Booka vehicle that can go practically anywhereEdmundsV6 labors in mountain driving and highway passingConsumerGuideoff-road champ, on-road contenderMyRide.comeven more ludicrously hypercapable off-roadPopular Mechanics The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg applies every one of its 5,000-plus pounds to startling off-road prowess--and to startling on-road fuel consumption and unwieldiness. The Touareg’s two gasoline-powered engines benefit from Audi/VW’s gasoline direct-injection wizardry, dubbed FSI. But rather than reducing their thirst, they upped the power to contend with all that curb weight. The base 276-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, contends Kelley Blue Book, now “provides adequate power.” The optional V-8, fortified to the tune of 350 horsepower, “provides adequate power” and yields “a subtle growl when passing,” remarks Motor Trend. Edmunds finds the 5.0-liter turbodiesel V-10, at 310 hp and a stump-pulling 553 pound-feet of torque, to be “the most intriguing (and expensive) entry.” It also yields both the swiftest acceleration and the best fuel economy. All engines are paired with “a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive,” reports Kelley Blue Book, who explain that the Touareg’s “low-range gear, adaptive torque distribution and locking center differential help take the Touareg 2 over the most intimidating terrain.” Car and Driver complains that transmission in their test vehicle “whined whenever the vehicle was coasting.” But Edmunds praises the “rock-solid platform co-developed with Porsche,” that is “more in line with the Range Rover than the growing number of soft-roader crossovers.” All of this brute strength, off-road ability, and stout structure take their toll at the pump. The EPA rates the Touareg at 14/19 mpg, 12/17 mpg, and 15/20 mpg for the V-6, V-8, and diesel, respectively—all dismal numbers in this age of skyrocketing oil prices. Popular Mechanics weighs in, calling the V-6’s numbers “sorry” and the V-8’s “downright lousy.” Edmunds comments, “fuel economy is relatively poor for this class of vehicle.” Note that premium is recommended for both gasoline engines. All that weight takes a toll on the handling as well. ConsumerGuide feels that “Touareg 2 feels ponderous in fast changes of direction, and it's no match for lighter SUVs such as the Acura MDX or Lexus RX.” Still, the Touareg’s steering and handling are generally praised: “light steering and a supple off-road ride,” comments Car and Driver; “The ride is compliant yet provides plenty of road feel, and the fairly responsive steering feels artificial at low speed,” remarks Motor Trend. But bringing that weight to a halt resulted in “the longest braking distance of this pack,” reports Car and Driver in an eight-SUV comparison. ConclusionThe 2008 Volkswagen Touareg masters trails, swills fossil fuel, and overwhelms its powerful engines with its massive curb weight.  2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: “more of a touch-up on the first one” MyRide.com: “subtly revised styling” Kelley Blue Book: “looks every bit a member of the VW family” A minor refresh for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg subtly enhances the SUV’s adroit ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Touareg is one of the best SUVs its size for off-roading or towing, but if most of your needs involve passenger-hauling, you’d be better off with most of the alternatives in its size and price range. The Acura MDX and Lexus RX feel roomier inside and handle well, though their appointments might not feel quite as exclusive. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class has a more spacious, more passenger-friendly interior, while the Q7, which is related to the Touareg, has an especially beautiful interior and is tuned for road duty rather than serious off-roading, resulting in a better ride and crisper handling. The X5 and MDX are the best choices of this group for those who want an SUV that feels frisky and agile; the result of juggling the roles of tow vehicle, off-road crawler, and luxurious family conveyance, the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg feels surprisingly heavy and cumbersome in day-to-day driving. Finally, there’s the Touareg’s less-than-stellar reputation for reliability.

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See the Volkswagen Touareg in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

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