2007 Volkswagen Touareg Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2007 Volkswagen Touareg includes a full evaluation of the 2007 Volkswagen Touareg from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2007 Volkswagen Touareg, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2007 Volkswagen Touareg help you decide if a 2007 Volkswagen Touareg is right for you.

2007 Volkswagen Touareg Road Test

Pros	Cons

Build quality	Fuel economy

Cargo room	Navigation-system controls

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
5	6	6	6	6.2

Touaregs among the heaviest midsize SUVs, so stronger V6 and V8 are useful. V6, however, still feels underpowered in this heavy SUV; test example did 8.1 sec 0-60 mph, labored in highway passing sprints, and climbing long grades. One V6 test example suffered low-speed throttle lag. V8 version no hot rod, but delivers better all-around acceleration than V6, and is a necessity for towing.

Turbodiesel's class-leading torque means brisk takeoffs, ready passing power; VW claims 7.2 sec 0-60. On the downside, V10 suffers occasional turbo lag, plus some diesel smoke and smell on cold starts.

Fuel Economy

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
3	2	2	4	3.6

Test V6 versions averaged 13.2-15.4 mpg. Test V10 averaged 18.3. No opportunity to measure with V8. VW recommends premium-grade fuel for all gasoline engines.

V10 requires ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Note that V10 is unavailable in California and certain Northeastern states.

Ride Quality

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
6	5	4	5	5.7

Impressively rigid structure enhances comfort, with base suspension and 17-inch tires furnishing best ride. Bumps can intrude with 18-inch tires, are pronounced with 19s. Air suspension has three firmness settings, but only the middle one satisfies on-road. Air system's main asset is providing up to 11.8 inches of off-road clearance.

Steering/Handling/Braking

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
5	5	6	5	5.6

No match for lighter SUVs like Acura MDX, Lexus RX, but always feels confident, especially on highway. Steering linear, if slow. Corners with good balance but marked body lean. Air suspension imparts slightly more agile feel. Compact turning radius aids maneuvering, but test V8 and V10 had front driveline binding with front wheels fully turned. Brakes strong, but a test V6 made grabby low-speed stops. Astute AWD system helped Touareg claw through severe condition in dry-surface off-road tests. Note: 19-inch tires are summer treads, not all-season type.

Quietness

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
7	7	6	5	6.5

Rivals some upscale cars. Air suspension muffles tire thrum slightly better than conventional version, but 19-inch tires always more audible than smaller-size tires on coarse surfaces. Turbodiesel clatters at idle, but muted otherwise, as are gas engines. Wind rush low for an SUV.

Controls

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
6	6	6	7	6.5

Legible gauges have upscale "aircraft" look. So do dashboard and console, but proliferation of controls requires a preflight review. Climate system a bit too low for easy driver use or view. Navigation system takes lots of study to master, governs too many audio functions, but its Global Positioning Satellite feature useful off-road. Touareg matches any SUV--regardless of price--for quality of interior materials. However, problems on various test examples included squeaks, rattles, and flashing ABS and airbag warning lights for systems found to be operating normally by a dealer technician.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
7	8	8	7	7.3

Great head room, generous seat travel. Firm, comfortable seats, but weak support in fast turns. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheel helps drivers find ideal position, but several testers find wheel rim blocks parts of some gauges. Step-in higher vs. car-type SUVs, but not difficult. Visibility astern hampered by rear headrests, small rear window; rearview camera helps. Some test Touaregs had slight windshield distortions.

Room/Comfort (rear)

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
5	5	5	5	6.3

Lots of head clearance. Foot space shrinks to marginal if front seats more than halfway back, but knee room not painfully tight. Fine seat support, contour. Narrow rear doorways hamper easy exit.

Cargo Room

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
7	7	7	7	7.8

Cargo bay handsomely finished, spacious enough, but load floor pretty high. Rear seatbacks won't lay flat without first flipping lower cushions, removing headrests. No dedicated headrest storage another nuisance. Abundant small-item storage.

Value within Class

V6	V8 w/nav. sys.	V8 w/nav. sys., 19-in. wheels	V10	Class Average
6	5	4	5	5.9

Touareg is pricey for a Volkswagen, on par with Lexus and Mercedes-Benz rivals offering superior brand prestige, resale values, and customer care. But any Touareg rewards with first-class cabin decor, competent SUV road manners, and terrific off-road prowess.

Total Score