VW freshens up the Touareg

I first reviewed the Volkswagen Touareg when it was introduced in 2004. Five years later, with sales continuing to sag (just 4608 were sold during the first half of 2007), VW decided to freshen up its lone SUV.

For 2008, Touareg gets a new name — the Touareg 2. Don’t expect a new vehicle, however, since we’re only talking about some minor tweaks.

While all the sheet metal remains the same for 2008, VW freshened up the front with a new grille that is identical to siblings Eos and Passat. Side mirrors get integrated turn signals. The rear gets new darker tail lamps, a power tailgate is now standard and there are new exhaust pipes and a roof spoiler.

Inside, a 12-way power seat is now standard. My Touareg included a seat memory function, which had already been set by a previous driver. Each time I entered the vehicle, the driver’s seat would reset itself to a far forward position. Without an owner’s manual, I was unable to intuitively reset the position or cancel the existing one.

There are a few new technical functions and safety features for 2008, like rollover sensors for the side curtain airbags, a “dry-braking function” that wipes away excess water to improve brake recovery, and an enhanced electronic stability control system with brake assist.

Touareg and Porsche Cayenne share the same platform and are very similar in appearance, but Cayenne is designed more for on-road performance while Touareg features an excellent balance of on/off road capabilities.

Touareg is available in three models: VR6, powered by a 3.6-liter 280 horsepower engine with a base price of $39,320; V-8 4.2-liter with 350 horsepower at $48,320; and a V-10 310-horsepower diesel starting at a whopping $68,320.

With its smooth lines and styling, it’s easy to see Volkswagen influence from any angle. To help identify its new upscale luxury SUV, Volkswagen hung a shiny six-inch “VW” badge on both the back lift gate and on the front grille. While Porsche and VW went to great lengths to offer different front ends, the side profiles are almost identical — not much of a surprise since both are built on the same assembly line in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Touareg presents a striking stance with more than eight inches of ground clearance and 187 inches in overall length, giving it a muscular look unlike the stubby BMW X5 or M-Class Mercedes-Benz. This is one of the best-looking SUVs on the market today.

Chrome-aluminum trim, wood and leather are abundant in an interior that just oozes with class. Fit, finish and appearance are top-notch in quality and feel like an Audi, Mercedes or Lexus. The instrument clusters are made up of two large round dials surrounded by numerous smaller gauges, which can be hard to read, depending on lighting.

I tested a fully equipped V-8 with the Technology Package ($3,350) and navigation system. The DVD navigation system with an audio CD for spoken voice commands was changed in 2006; that, thankfully, has simplified use.

The package also includes a rearview back-up camera and an antiquated 6-disc trunk-mounted CD changer. Shifting the vehicle to reverse engages the rear back-up camera, however, it also occasionally turned on the audio system for some reason. Once backing was completed and the vehicle was shifted to the drive position, the audio system shut off.

My only other complaint with the Touareg is the front seats. I found them unusually narrow and noticeably uncomfortable. The pleated bottom seat is stitched with a hard bead that cut into the back of each thigh. They may be comfortable for smaller occupants, but larger drivers and passengers will find them intolerable.

While set up for five passengers, the rear seat is too small for three adults to ride comfortably. Nor do the seat backs recline, a feature that is generally standard in this class vehicle. No third row seat is available, which adds more leg and cargo room.

It’s unlikely many Touaregs will venture off-road but I drove the VW in the dry rocky terrain area of Canyon Lake. I came away so impressed with its capabilities, I’d easily place it in the same class with the Hummer H2 and Land Rover. You get the same sure handling you feel on-road. I rate Touareg as one of the best handling SUV I’ve tested. All Touaregs are full-time all-wheel-drive (4XMOTION). My tester came equipped with the optional adjustable ride height control.

On the road, it drives more like a luxury sedan than an SUV. The 350-horsepower engine seems excessive and most would be just as pleased with the 280 horsepower V-6.

Touareg is well equipped with standard head, side and dual front airbags. Side-curtain airbags for both front and rear seat passengers were added as standard equipment on all 2005 models. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard along with traction and stability control. In the event of airbag deployment, all doors automatically unlock and the fuel supply is shut off.

A superb mix of on and rugged off-road capabilities, Touareg 2 is upscale, luxurious and comes loaded with standard equipment. It isn’t an entry-level vehicle, but if you can afford it you most likely won’t be disappointed. But compared to the competition, the Touareg 2 seems dated, expensive and bucks the trend of consumer preference for crossover utility vehicles.