Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI

This subTly revised version of volkswagen’s luxury five-seat suv will compete head on with the bMW X5 xdrive 30d, land rover discovery sdv6 and Mercedes-benz Ml350 bluetec when it arrives in the uK this November as part of a limited line-up of facelifted Touaregs.

Perhaps as a measure of the level of competition that it faces, the styling changes are more noticeable than those we’ve seen on other recently facelifted vWs. There is a new bumper with larger air ducts and a wider grille housing reshaped headlights. The rear receives a reprofiled bumper, new tailpipes and, on models with the optional r-line package, a black valance panel styled to resemble a diffuser. inside, the Touareg adopts a lightly redesigned dashboard with new switchgear and a revised range of trims.

under the bonnet sits a reworked version of the volkswagen Group’s 3.0-litre v6 diesel engine offering 258bhp and 427lb ft. efficiency revisions including stop-start and, on blueMotion Technology models, a coasting function on the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox provide it with a combined 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 174g/km.

drive continues to be sent to all four wheels via vW’s 4Motion system. depending on trim level, it can be had with rear mechanical differential locks and a five-stage air suspension system to give the Touareg outstanding off-road ability.

The reworked v6 doesn’t serve up the outlandish omnipresent energy of the range-topping 4.2-litre v8 that is no longer offered in the uK, but it does deliver strong performance across a reasonable spread of revs.With a highly responsive step-off and convincing mid-range urge, it feels faster and more agile than you’d expect of a 2110kg suv. The gearbox also shifts smoothly and intuitively in each of its three driving modes.

The engine is slightly noisy, though. under moderate to heavy loads, the operation remains smooth, but quite a bit of chatter is transferred into the cabin enough, at least, to make you aware that it is a diesel.Considering its weight, the Touareg handles with aplomb. it has plenty of grip, boasts impressive body control and resists understeer and roll well, although the trade-off is a rather fidgety ride. With quite firm spring and damping rates, the Touareg lacks the comfortable, relaxed nature of some of its rivals.

This is clearly a better car than the model that it replaces. The Touareg is faster and more powerful, surprisingly agile and quite economical for something so substantial. it’s also spacious and well built, and its price means that it should appeal to quite a wide group of buyers. The trouble is that it competes in a market littered with convincing alternatives.

SO GOOD

Mix of performance and economy
Good grip and body control
Competitive price

NO GOOD

Fidgety ride
Engine noise under load