Short Take Road Test
A big brother can be a best friend and a worst enemy. Not that siblings necessarily have it out for each other (except those loving relatives on reality TV), but sometimes the precedent set by an older sibling can make it difficult for the younger guy to live up to the family name.
For the Touareg V-6, its V-8-powered big brother has set the bar high. Despite being the caboose in November's "Big-Box Sports Cars," the Touareg V-8 did take top honors in a January 2003 comparo ("The Bradsher Bunch"), beating the luminous likes of Acura, BMW, GMC, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, and Volvo. The V-8's vast technology, commanding power, luxurious interior, and impressive off-road capabilities enamored us. Would the V-6 truck be anywhere near as appealing as its big brother? Turns out the V-8 is unintentionally more foe than friend to the V-6.
The 5412-pound Touareg V-8, powered by the familiar Audi 4.2-liter, 40-valve unit that makes 310 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque, galloped from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and eclipsed the quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds. That's quick for such a portly über ute. Its little V-6 brother weighs 133 fewer pounds and is propelled by VW's 3.2-liter, 24-valve V-6 making 220 horsepower and 225 pound-feet. As a result, it sweated its way to 60 in 9.4 seconds and turned the quarter in 17.0. The differences inherent in a 90-hp divide were noticeable both on paper and on the road.
Whereas the V-8 feels well-suited to handle its weight, the V-6 is a bit overwhelmed by its heft, and as a result, it strains to get the truck up to speed. Passing requires forethought, and we wouldn't put up the pinks against anything more powerful than your basic econobox. This is not the case with the V-8, which can overcome most obstacles with a mash of the throttle.
It's not the V-6's fault. The 3.2-liter is a smooth, perky engine-especially housed in an Audi TT or Golf R32-but in the two-and-a-half-ton Touareg, it's like a schnauzer pulling a carriage.
Well, if you can live without the V-8's macho grunt, the V-6's driving dynamics are nonetheless quite commendable. Wearing 225/60HR-17 Dunlop Grandtrek ST 8000 tires, it pulled 0.76 g on the skidpad-an average number for an SUV and not too far behind the V-8, which held on for 0.82 g with meatier 275/45ZR-19 Pirelli P Zero Rossos. The V-6 needed 196 feet to brake from 70 mph, 12 more feet than the V-8 needed. Considering both models wear the same big four-wheel vented disc brakes, we'll chalk this one up to the tires. The brakes feel strong and responsive overall, but they have a tendency to be grabby, especially when trying to come to a stop smoothly. The steering effort is light-perhaps too much so-but its directness is excellent, and the vehicle tracks like a tank. Fitted with the $2300 optional air suspension, the V-6 rode like a luxury SUV, which is to say it displayed a soft bumpiness, at least in the comfort setting. Turn the damper dial to "auto" (medium firmness) or "sport" (hard), and the ride firms up accordingly, transmitting impacts with more fervor.
The V-6 also gets big brother's handsome looks, stiff structure, and 4XMOTION permanent all-wheel-drive system with low range and adaptive torque distribution, which delivers power to the wheels through electronically controlled multiplate differentials. Both vehicles share the smooth-shifting six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, a posh interior-replete with "cricket-textured" leather (part of our test car's $2200 Premium package), burled-walnut trim, and chrome and brushed-aluminum accents-and electronic gewgaws such as stability control with brake assist and hill-descent control.
Indeed, the Touareg V-6 is one of the, if not the, most luxurious and well-equipped SUVs for its price, which starts at $35,515. Our sample, equipped with the aforementioned Premium package and air suspension, a $2350 navigation and sound system, $750 bixenon headlamps, and a $550 rear differential lock, rang up the register to $43,665-not inexpensive, but not overpriced, considering the six-cylinder competition hangs in the same bracket. An Acura MDX starts at $36,945, a BMW X5 3.0i at $40,995, and a Volvo XC90 T6 at $41,650. But those three utes all offer sixes with more power. And let's not forget about the big-brother Touareg V-8, whose 310 horsepower can be had at a starting price of $41,315.
Convincing Americans that a Volkswagen SUV deserves to be cross-shopped with today's luxury nameplates is a steep hill the Touareg is faced with. Were it an Audi, there'd be no problem, but VW still smacks of prudent and economical cars-Beetles, Golfs, Jettas-and the notion of a $40,000 VW sport-ute may take some getting used to. Thus, the Touareg could be initially compared with more natural competitors such as the Honda Pilot and the Toyota 4Runner, the latter offering the off-road prowess to seriously challenge the Touareg V-6.
So if straight-line speed isn't at the top of your SUV checklist, the Touareg V-6 is a delectable piece that will likely satisfy your every need, be it on- or off-road. But if you're like us and feel that a $43,665 check should come with a considerable dose of oomph, you'll need to look elsewhere-like across the showroom.
