The Touareg is relatively large but it doesn't come with a third-row seat, which may be a deal-breaker for shoppers with larger families.
Based on price, it makes sense to compare the Touareg to luxury brands instead of the mainstream marques VW usually targets.
The Infiniti QX70, formerly known as the FX, is a sporty choice for shoppers looking for performance on twisty roads.
The BMW X5 is more engaging than the Touareg on the road, but isn't quite as large as many of its competitors.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE, formerly the M-Class, offers more luxury and a better interior than it has in the past, and it drives well, too.
The Audi Q7 is larger, offers a third row and a warmer interior, and it's priced only modestly more than its Touareg relative.
We think the Honda Pilot is the best competitor in the mainstream segment, with its new mainstream styling, quality cabin, and excellent seating package.
And Jeep's Grand Cherokee has all of the Touareg's luxuries in a comfortable package with equal or better off-road abilities.
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 2016 Volkswagen TouaregBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Audi Q7Browse Used Listings |  2016 BMW X5Browse Used Listings |  2016 Honda PilotBrowse Used Listings |  2016 INFINITI QX70Browse Used Listings |  2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE ClassBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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Expensive and fancy for a vehicle from a mainstream brand, the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is also less expensive than some comparable luxury-SUV options. |
The 2017 Audi Q7 gets a rakish new sport-wagon look, a finely detailed, tech-savvy interior, and serious chassis advancements underneath—including a dramatic weight loss, available rear-wheel steering, and a plug-in hybrid version. |
The benchmark of mid-size luxury SUVs, the 2016 BMW X5 offers handsome looks, a choice of powertrains, an abundance of tech features, sporty on-road dynamics, and even some off-road capability. |
The 2016 Honda Pilot has axed its hard edges: it's once again a smooth, capable family wagon, one that raises the bar for refinement. |
Though aging, the 2016 Infiniti QX70 still offers an appealing mix of sporty dynamics, coupe-like looks, and luxurious appointments. |
The M-Class gets a new lease on luxury-crossover life as the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class—and it's joined by a swoopy new Coupe variant. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $42,705 | $49,000 | $54,700 | $30,345 | $45,850 | $51,100 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Premium Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Premium Unleaded V-6 | Premium Unleaded V-6 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| N/A | Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Standard SUV 2WD |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door V6 Sport | 2.0 TFSI Premium | RWD 4-Door sDrive35i | 2WD 4-Door LX | RWD 4-Door | RWD 4-Door GLE 350 |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel | All Wheel | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| 4MOTION | quattro Sport Utility | Sports Activity Vehicle | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vs. 2017 Audi Q7 | 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vs. 2016 BMW X5 | 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vs. 2016 Honda Pilot | 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vs. 2016 INFINITI QX70 | 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vs. 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Class | |
