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Program #2304
And now for something completely different, a sport-utility-vehicle! Okay, it's not just another SUV. It's the first SUV from German stalwart, Volkswagen, and it's called the Touareg. And while VW may be one of the last to join the sport-ute tribe, it does so with an impressive technical and luxury resume. But in such a crowded segment, is the Touareg a case of better late than never, or too little too late? At first glance, the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg looks familiar. That's because it's built on a unitized body and chassis co-developed with the Porsche Cayenne. Yet, to us, the Touareg is a more diverse sport-ute. It looks like a beefed up Passat wagon, handles pavement like a large touring car, conquers terrain like a tank, and still mimics the luxury of a posh sedan. Named after a nomadic tribe from the Sahara Desert, Touareg literally means ''free folk.'' VW stylists clearly had freedom, delivering an exterior that is rugged and progressive. And though it does boast a recognizable VW front fascia, gem-like headlight casings and the generous air intakes added beneath the stylized upper radiator grille add classic off-road SUV appeal.
The Touareg's outside curves aren't carried over to the inside with its sectional, VW-car approach to dash design. Our V-8's standard wood trim with chrome and brushed aluminum accents fancies things up nicely. Gauges are simple and direct, if incomplete. There are standard side curtain airbags, a CD audio system, and dual-zone, or optional four-zone, climate controls. GPS navigation is also optional. Again like VW cars, the shifter resides in the center console, along with other controls, cupholders, and plenty of storage.
Our 5,300-pound Touareg is moved down the terrain by a 4.2 liter twin-cam, 40-valve V8 borrowed from Audi. Output, while far short of the Cayenne's, is still substantial at 310 horsepower and 302 pound feet of torque. Towing capacity is a hearty 7700 pounds. A 220-horsepower V6 engine is standard, and a 313-horsepower twin-turbo V10 diesel is due here next year. Touareg's engines are linked to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual mode. Standard too is VW's new 4XMOTION permanent four-wheel drive system with a hi-low transfer case and hill ascent and descent control. Normal torque split is 50/50 front and rear. Console switchgear controls the standard locking center differential and optional rear locker. Add in up to 12-inches of ground clearance, and the Touareg is a very impressive off-road performer. And whether on-road or off-road, the Touareg really gets up and goes. It launches from 0 to 60 in 7.8 seconds and wraps up the 1/4 mile in 15.8 seconds at 89 miles-per-hour. The V8 is robust and smooth off the line with great low end torque. Shifts are seamless. The Touareg's mid-size 112.4-inch wheelbase chassis rides on either a coil spring double wishbone suspension, or our V8's electronic air suspension with an active damping system called ''skyhook.'' Skyhook has three settings: Sport, Automatic or Comfort. The air suspension raises or lowers the chassis to one of four heights depending on driving conditions and includes a manual override. Overall ride quality is decent, neither stiff nor spongy. Handling is a little soft too, with more body roll than we expected from the Skyhook system. Yet, with standard skid control, the Touareg is extremely stable in hard cornering. Skyhook did a better job of controlling dive during braking. Four-wheel vented discs with ABS and Brake Assist stopped this VW from 60 to 0 in a good average distance of 127 feet. Fuel mileage is on par with most SUVs in the mid-size class. 14 city and 18 highway, with 17 being our everyday average. But the Touareg is anything but an average mid-size SUV, with prices at something of a premium. The extremely well-equipped V-6 Touareg carries a base price of $35,515, or on par with the Lexus RX330. Our V8 starts at $41,315, which by the way is about half that of a Porsche Cayenne V-8. The Touareg with the premium package, with includes navigation, totals $53,265. We suggest you buy a map. Though tardy, we think the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg was worth the wait. Its husky go-get-Ôem attitude and classic VW looks outshine otherwise tired SUV standards, and even add a few new tunes to the Sport-Ute repertoire.
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The Touareg's slightly arched roof line includes serious cargo-rails
for easy roof-top transporting. It all sits atop our test-ute's standard
18-inch tires, as robust wheel arches and substantial bumpers also
accentuate this able body.
In the rear is a large hatch with a separate opening glass panel.
Bounded by distinct lamp shapes, the Touareg is easily pegged as a VW in
traffic.
Our Touareg had the available leather upholstery and 12-way
adjustable heated front bucket seats. Front room is generous. Likewise
the 60/40 split folding rear seat that fits three comfortably. What's
missing is third row seating, something that more and more SUV buyers
are asking for. Instead there is a good amount of cargo capacity; 31
cubic feet seats up, and expanding to 71 cubic feet with the seats down.