Secret find in the SUV sector
The Volkswagen Touareg is easily the most underrated luxury SUV in the market, writes Lerato Matebese
THE Porsche Cayenne has carved a niche for itself in the luxury SUV segment and remains the marque’s best-selling model. It manages unequivocally to meld practicality, pace and prestige with an offroad prowess that has been well documented. However, few owners will likely put their vehicle through any off-road conditions, and rightfully so when bringing the capital outlay into the picture.
What many have not quite fathomed is the fact that the Cayenne is based on a Volkswagen platform — that of the Touareg, which also spawns the Audi Q7 — and this brings me to the subject of this article, the recently updated Touareg.
We road-tested a V8 TDI variant of the current generation model a few years ago, and it largely left us suitably impressed, but we found that it was somewhat of an enigma among its more popular rivals. While the recent updates to the model have been rather mild to say the least, it still looks contemporary and those sharper headlights and the Golf R style lower front valance add some visual venom to the vehicle, if only just.
The tidy rear remains pretty much unaltered, which is not a bad thing. Interior appointments have always been the company’s forte and the architecture is of a high quality, from the plush electrically operated front seats to the white illumination of the instrument cluster, which adds a nice touch. Inoffensive perhaps best describes the model’s demeanour, but it is its broader talents that make it such an attractive proposition.
On test here is the flagship 4.2l V8 TDI that cranks out 250kW and 800Nm via an eight-speed automatic transmission. All that turbodiesel power is sent to each wheel, offering excellent traction, particularly during the inclement weather experienced in Gauteng over the holidays.
In spite of this the engine is easily the peachiest element of the car. Delivering its maximum torque at 1,750r/min, this Wolfsburg SUV pulls with the might of a steam train at the gentlest of throttle inputs. Stomp the right pedal while on the move and there is a slight hiatus before the engine huffs and puffs. As the vehicle charges forward with the might of a raging bull, the entire car settles on its rear haunches and begins to pile on the speed in huge dollops of relentless pace.
The transmission remains butter smooth through the gears while the suspension, at least in its softest (comfort) and intermediate (normal) settings, remains compliant. However, I did find that these settings do pronounce body roll as the vehicle tends to lean into corners, even at the most docile of pace. The firmer (sport) setting seems the more suitable one for body control, but the rear suspension does tend to crash somewhat over speed bumps in this mode.
While the model may not be as adept around corners as, say, a Cayenne, it still manages to negotiate them with zeal, but it takes some commitment from the driver. That said, the model remains a compelling off-roader, thanks to the lofty 300mm of available ride height courtesy of the air suspension ensuring that it is easily as at home in the rough terrain as it is in the urban environs. A useable 24° and 25° approach and departure angle respectively means that dongas and steep inclines and descents are dispensed with relative ease. Moving from on-road to offroad mode is a simple twirl of a rotary switch on the centre console.
We managed to tackle some gravel roads during our test tenure, which the vehicle took in its stride. In these conditions, build quality also came under the spotlight and I was mightily impressed by the lack of rattles and squeaks from the cabin, even with an increase in speed.
Boot space is generous, and with 580l in standard guise (1,642l with the rear seats folded) I managed to squeeze in a few odd items, including tables and chairs for a toddler’s birthday party. Fuel consumption, meanwhile, saw a lowest figure of 8.8l/100km, while around town we managed about 10.8l/100km.
The Touareg is easily one of the most accomplished luxury SUVs available on the market and the fact that it remains so underrated means that you are essentially getting a VW-cloaked Cayenne at a more palatable price. It manages to undercut any of its direct competitors by an average of R200,000 which, no matter how you slice it, represents superb value for money. So, if value rather than badge snobbery rates highly in your books, and you are willing to look past the inevitable low residual values, then this one is definitely for you.