Volkswagen Touareg SUV

Drive

Unlike some rugged, workmanlike 4x4s, the Touareg has been developed to excel on the road, where it will be used the majority of the time. It should come as no surprise then that the Touareg is comfortable, and stable through tight bends. While it's no sports car, neither does it feel as big as you might expect it to. That's thanks in part to a nicely shaped and sized steering wheel and the high driving position. Its eight-speed automatic gearbox offers smooth changes, too, and the cabin is well insulated from the outside world. The range-topping Altitude model packs quite a punch in a striaght line however, sprinting from 0-60mph in just 5.8 seconds.

Comfort

Volkswagen enhanced the Touareg's comfort when it updated the car in 2010. The new seats, which are covered in leather on all models are supremely comfortable, even over a long journey. The updated Touareg boasts more space inside than before - leaving more room for passengers to stretch their legs. However, the middle seat in the rear is very flat and its occupant has to deal with a raised floor, making this seat the least comfortable.

Reliability

Although there's no reliability data for the updated Touareg, its predecessor, like most Volkswagens, built up a good reputation for reliability and build quality. The new model feels as if it's made to a higher standard inside, and the engines, aside from the Hybrid, are all proven in other cars. The Touareg offers front, side and curtain airbags as standard, as well as a complex and capable traction control system.

Practicality

The Touareg is a large car, so its boot is big to start with. Cabin space is reasonable, and the rear seat slides back and forth and the rear backrest tilts, so it can be positioned to best cope with whichever combination of passengers and luggage you’re carrying. The back seats are easy to fold down for maximum carrying capacity. Elsewhere in the cabin there is loads of space for your bits and pieces.

Value for money

Compared with the established premium cars from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Audi, the Touareg appears to be good value, especially when you take into consideration the generous standard specification. The entry-level SE model, for instance, comes with alloy wheels, a leather interior, climate control, cruise control, heated seats, parking sensors and a touch-screen satellite navigation system.

Running costs

Volkswagen has managed to reduce consumption and emissions across the Touareg range, thanks mainly to a weight reduction. The 3.0 TDI engine returns 38.1mpg, while the Hybrid version boasts the lowest CO2 emissions at 193g/km. Unfortunately, the 4.2 TDI model creeps into Band K in terms of Road Tax, thanks to higher emissions. It also returns just 31mpg. Volkswagen offers fixed-price servicing so that owners can predict their costs.