2004 Volkswagen Touareg: Road Test
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2004 Volkswagen Touareg ▼
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- MSRP: $35,900 -$57,800
- Invoice: $32,532 -$52,315
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Our road test for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg help you decide if a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
With full load or in hilly ascent, Touareg's 5100-lb curb weight taxes V6. Test V6 did 9.2 sec 0-60 mph. V8 stronger in all conditions; 7.9 sec 0-60 in our test. V10 turbodiesel delivers the most torque of any midsize SUV engine and provides robust acceleration and ready passing power. VW claims 7.2 sec 0-60 for turbodiesel, and it exhibits little of the smoke or exhaust odor normally associated with diesel engines. Gasoline engines' around-town response marred by inconsistent reaction to throttle pressure, especially with V8, and by transmission's occasionally tardy downshifts. Transmission's Sport mode provides quicker downshifts and holds gears longer; but doesn't allow use of 6th gear.
FUEL ECONOMY
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3.3 |
Test V6s averaged 12.5-15.1 mpg, test V8s 11.9-14.3 mpg. VW recommends premium-grade fuel for both engines. No opportunity to measure turbodiesel fuel economy.
RIDE QUALITY
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.9 |
Base suspension stable, not too taut. Best choice for on-road comfort, especially with 17-inch tires. None of air suspension's three firmness settings summons optimal blend of composure, comfort; big asset is ability to provide 11.8 inches of ground clearance. Nineteen-inch tires poor at absorbing sharp bumps. Structure impressively rigid.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5.2 |
No match for sporty SUVs, such as X5, Infiniti FX, but always feels confident, especially in highway cruising. Steering linear but lazy in fast turns, where balance is good, but marked body lean is typical of truck-type SUVs. Fractionally sharper feel with air suspension. Compact turning radius for good low-speed maneuverability, though test V8 with 19-inch wheels exhibited driveline binding in slow, tight turns. Brakes feel strong, but test V6 version suffered grabby low-speed stops. Astute AWD automatically apportioned power to claw through severe dry-surface off-road tests. Note: 19-inch tires have summer tread.
QUIETNESS
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Upscale-sedan isolation. Low wind rush. Air suspension muffles road noise slightly better than base version, though 19-inch tires roar somewhat on grainy pavement. Turbodiesel engine well-muted except at idle, when diesel clatter can become obtrusive, especially with windows down.
CONTROLS
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
Aircraft-quality look to gauge array. Numerous buttons/controls on dashboard, console require familiarization. Climate system mounted too low for easy driver use or view. Navigation system incorporates some audio adjustments. Global Positioning Satellite capability is useful off-road. Quality of interior materials, assembly matches any SUV, regardless of price.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7.4 |
Great head room, generous seat travel. Firm, comfortable seats, but weak cushion support in fast turns. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheel helps dial in ideal helm position, though several test drivers complained that wheel rim cuts into view of some instruments. Wide doorways ease entry/exit. Step-in height moderate for an SUV. Rear visibility compromised by headrests, small back window. Some test Touaregs had distorted windshield glass.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6.2 |
Lots of head clearance. Foot space shrinks to marginal as front seats move more than halfway back, but knee room not painfully constricted. Fine seat support, contour. Narrow rear doorways hamper easy exit.
CARGO ROOM
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7.4 |
Impressively finished cargo bay, but dropping rear seatback flat requires tipping lower cushions, removing headrests. VW provides no headrest storage--a rare flaw in this thoughtfully designed interior. Good passenger-compartment storage includes air-conditioned glovebox.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5.6 |
Touareg blends sophisticated interior decor, solid construction, and more-than-competent overall performance. It's exceptional off-road, too. But adding a few choice options elevates prices to levels associated with such prestige brands as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Impressive turbodiesel engine promises frugality, but its near-$15,000 tarriff over V8 models makes it anything but economical. VW plans to import fewer than 500 turbodiesel Touaregs for 2004, so plan on paying a hefty premium over sticker.
Total Score
| V6 | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg. | V8 w/Prem. Plus Pkg., 19-inch wheels | V10 turbodiesel | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 57 | 55 | 57 | 57.8 |
Total Score: 57
Scores for all Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
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