VW’s flagship is aiming to go big

VW means to take on the big names of the premium SUV segment with its all-new model, writes Matt Allan

Everything about the new VW Touareg is massive.

From its overall size to the TV-like media screen, the full five-person interior to the 20-inch wheels, this is not a car that struggles to make an impression, even if it does struggle to fit in a supermarket car park.

At 4.8m long and 2.2m wide, it’s in the same category as the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Range Rover Velar but with a starting price of just under £50,000 undercuts the Germans while costing more than the Velar or a Jaguar

F-Pace.

The Touareg has already picked up a brace of awards as a tow car, with judges praising the V6 diesel’s ability to haul serious loads while cosseting passengers in a high-end environment.

The interior is classic VW. High-quality materials - from the high-gloss black plastic to chrome trim and leather upholstery - leave you in no doubt that this is VW’s flagship but also wishing for a splash of colour. It’s hugely comfortable and sp acious -a true fiveseater in a w orld where m any c ars feel de- signed to only ever carry four people.

As VW’s flagship the Touareg has also had all the latest tech from Wolfsburg thrown at it.

The details run to several pages but highlights include four-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars, night vision, front cross traffic assist and traffic jam assist that uses the adaptive cruise control and camera-controlled lane assist. Our car also feature a colour HUD and matrix LED headlights.

Inside there’s a spectacular combination of 12-inch digital instrument display and 15-inch media/nav touchscreen that houses the latest navigation and internet connectivity systems.There’s also a hard-drive media system and the usual DAB and phone mirroring options. Four-zone climate control, USB and charging points aplenty plus several hides’ worth of leather complete the high-end package.

For all its positioning as a luxurious choice, however, the Touareg is strangely unsettled on the road. Much of that might be solved by fitting tyres will taller sidewalls but we Brits love our massive alloys and rubber band tyres.

I can imagine the Touareg cruising completely unruffled on smooth German autobahn but here on British roads the shortcomings of a sporty ride and big wheels are exposed.

It manages to handle surprisingly, though. Among the technology thrown at it are active anti-roll bars and rear wheel steering which make it feel remarkably agile and handle like a smaller car.

The Touraeg also proves that diesel isn’t dead yet. There’s still a place for big, silky smooth V6 engines and that’s in big SUVs designed to cover massive distances. Here the 3.0-litre unit picks up pace without noise or fuss as the 282bhp is transmitted via