2014 Volkswagen Touareg

2014 Volkswagen Touareg Review - Pricing

The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg is an expensive way to purchase a mainstream brand’s vehicle, but it’s more luxurious than many of its mainstream competitors.

2014 Volkswagen Touareg Interior/Exterior

From a design perspective, the modern Touareg fits in well with the current lineup of VW products. It’s conservative, yet sophisticated, and its cabin is a step–and in some cases, several steps–above other mainstream SUV competitors.
Inside, the layout remains comparable to other rugged-luxury crossover designs, and the somewhat high seating position, upright orientation to the instrument panel, and high, wide center console all feel stylistically synergistic. Trims and materials have been upgraded, and matte-metallic bezels help punctuate.
On the outside, a slightly wider body, and somewhat longer wheelbase and length gave the design more of a conventional crossover-wagon look (and functionally, more space). It’s now more subtly sculptural, with some delicate details drawn into a conservative overall shape. What works best are the proportions: the headlights, the side glass, and the sheetmetal are balanced now, thanks to a longer wheelbase and slightly wider dimensions that also net it more usable interior space.

2014 Volkswagen Touareg Engine Performance

The Hybrid doesn’t make much fiscal sense to us, for the performance you get or for its $15k higher sticker price. Meanwhile, the Hybrid’s 380 horses and 428 lb-ft of torque is enough to scoot out from a stop nicely, but it feels more sluggish and deliberate in its motions. In this model, an electric motor system is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission, with clutches on either end so that the electric motor can power the vehicle by itself under light load, at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. The Touareg Hybrid model incorporates a start-stop system and regenerative braking; and the hybrid system allows the transmission to smartly—and completely—disengage from the engine, to allow coasting long distances at higher speed.
Those who plan to tow (capacity is 7,700 pounds for all engines), or those who are motivated by the idea of much better mileage on the highway will want to head straight for the clean-diesel 3.0-liter V-6 TDI. It’s our favorite of the lineup, with its strong torque output (407 lb-ft) and confident feel for towing or highway cruising. And the engine in 2014 models steps up to 240 hp and even better fuel efficiency (19 mpg city, 28 highway).
Eight-speed automatic transmissions and full-time four-wheel drive are the building blocks in the powertrain department, while under the hood there are three quite different engine choices. Base versions get a conventional gasoline V-6–a 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower narrow-angle V-6 (VR6)–while two other versions show the way toward both more power and better gas mileage, albeit at a premium. The gasoline V-6 in the base Touareg is plenty quick, thanks in part to the eight-speed, which keeps revs up when you need it (it’s not much of an engine for low-end torque), and unless you’re a green-minded shopper willing to pay thousands extra for a slightly lower carbon footprint, it’s fine for most tasks.
The Touareg is still no crisp handler—few crossovers are, really—but it’s now as nimble and responsive as many of its rivals.
For those who want a hardier level of off-road capability, there’s a Terrain Tech option package that brings specialized off-road modes and an air suspension.

See more 2014 Volkswagen Touareg photos

The 2014 Touareg offers luxury-vehicle ambiance and long list of standard features. Leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and memory seats are all included in the base Sport model. Executive and Hybrid models add premium audio, rear-obstacle detection, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and starting, and heated rear seats. Major options include an impressive 620-watt Dynaudio premium sound system, and a navigation system with upgraded display and built-in music storage.Eight-speed automatic transmissions and full-time four-wheel drive are the building blocks in the powertrain department, while under the hood there are three quite different engine choices. Base versions get a conventional gasoline V-6–a 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower narrow-angle V-6 (VR6)–while two other versions show the way toward both more power and better gas mileage, albeit at a premium. The clean-diesel 3.0-liter V-6 TDI has been our favorite of the lineup, with its strong torque output (407 lb-ft) and confident feel for towing (up to 7,700 pounds) or highway cruising. An updated version of this engine steps up to 240 hp and even better fuel efficiency.
Otherwise, a Hybrid model combines a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with an electric motor system, sandwiched between the engine and transmission, for a combined 380 horsepower–and an EPA rating of 20 mpg in city driving. It gets a better boost in highway driving compared to other hybrids, due to the system’s ability to disengage the engine and motor for long high-speed coasting.
The Touareg used to be grossly overweight, but with its last redesign a couple of years ago VW made it lighter overall, and better-detailed inside. Astoundingly–through the use of advanced materials and techniques–it engineered about 450 pounds out of the vehicle, gaining up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency. It still offers way more truck-like ability than most other crossovers do–and more off-road and towing ability than most shoppers are likely to need. Think of that as a plus or a minus, depending on priorities.
Credit: Volkswagen Cars

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