Premium midsize SUV; Built in Slovakia |
|
|
Good condition price range: $18,600 – $51,000* |
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Front
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Rear
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Interior
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Profile
2011 Volkswagen Touareg Front
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
|
Volkswagen’s latest Touareg is slightly larger, but notably leaner (weighing some 400 pounds less) than its predecessor. Though no longer the off-road billy goat it once was, Touareg is still a comfortable, luxurious SUV, with a well-appointed interior. We laud Volkswagen for offering a full breadth of engine options, including diesel and hybrid powertrains. We especially like the diesel. It’s so smooth, quiet, and refined that we would pass up the conventional gas version entirely. The Hybrid is similarly well behaved, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. If you’re shopping for the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, be sure to put Touareg on your list, too.
Overview
In addition to freshened styling, the redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Touareg lineup included the company’s first gas/electric hybrid model. This five-passenger SUV had standard all-wheel drive, but the previous generation’s low-range gearing was discontinued. The 2011 model was 1.5 inches longer in wheelbase, 1.6 inches longer overall, and 0.5 inches wider than the 2003-2010 Touareg. This Volkswagen lent elements of its basic design to the premium-midsize Porsche Cayenne. Three powertrains were offered: conventional gasoline, TDI diesel, and gas/electric hybrid. The conventional engine was a 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6. The TDI model had a 225-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. In the Hybrid, a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with an electric motor for 380 horsepower total. The Hybrid could run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging was ever required. All Touaregs used an eight-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity was 7,700 pounds.
Standard safety features included all-disc antilock braking, traction control, an antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front side airbags, along with hill descent control. V6 and TDI versions came in Sport, Lux, and Executive trim levels. The Hybrid came in a single trim with equipment similar to Executive versions. A navigation system, rearview camera, power driver and passenger seats, and heated front seats were standard across the board. Leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and memory seats were standard on the Lux, Executive, and Hybrid. Rear-obstacle detection, an uprated audio system, keyless access/engine start, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Executive and Hybrid. A power tilt/telescopic steering wheel was standard on the Hybrid and not available otherwise. Volkswagen’s Touareg competed against the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX, and Mercedes-Benz M-Class, as well as the Lexus RX and BMW X5
Yearly Updates
2012 Touareg Little was new for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg apart from new equipment packages. The New Touareg Sport with Navigation models included Park Distance Control. |
2013 Touareg The main change for the 2013 Touareg was a revised turbodiesel engine that featured a stronger engine block and 15 more horsepower. |
2014 Touareg Highlights for the 2014 Touareg included a newly optional motion-activated liftgate and the addition of a sport-themed R-Line model with sport suspension, 20-inch wheels, and unique trim. Push-button start saw expanded availability to most trim levels, and Executive and Hybrid models added an around-view camera feature. |