Volkswagen Touareg TDI V5 2005 Review

What we liked
>> Equipment
>> Quality
>> Economy/Power

Not so much
>> Tight rear seat
>> Occasional jerky auto

OVERVIEW
Even that most revered of brands, Porsche has one with the Cayenne. A very close relative of the Cayenne, the Volkswagen Touareg has enjoyed good sales success in Australia with a V6 and V8 petrol-engined variant as well as the range-topping V10 turbo diesel.

With prices starting at $69,900 for the V6, $99,900 for the V8 and $138,500 for the monster V10 turbo diesel the range caters for most pockets. The recent arrival of the five-cylinder R5 TDI Touareg rounds out the range, priced at $69,900.

Effectively the 2.5lt in-line five-cylinder turbo diesel is one half of the 5.0lt monster that goes into the range-topping V10. With 128kW the T5 is reasonably well-endowed, but it's the 400Nm that really tells the story.

Delivered through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Volkswagen's 4Xmotion all-wheel drive system, the R5's in-line turbo diesel is surprisingly quick off the mark and economical to boot. With the take up rate of diesel much higher in SUVs than in passenger cars Volkswagen has brought the R5 to market at just the right time.

The pricing is the same as for the V6 petrol and there's a good load of equipment included for the price. The Touareg has an important role to play in the Volkswagen line-up as the brand re-establishes itself in the market. The broad product range seems to be working with sales up 40 per cent over 2004.

FEATURES
First off, the styling of the Touareg says prestige and presence. The use of chrome highlights is particularly effective and the ever-present large VW badges on the vehicle leave you in no doubt what brand it is. There are two R5 models: the entry-level version at $69,900 and a luxury model for $78,600.

Both models have a logically laid-out interior and Volkswagen's trademark blue lighting adds a touch of class to the interior. There is a feeling of solidity and luxury inside and the view out is clear and unobstructed from your command driving position.

The R5 comes well equipped, with dual zone climate control air conditioning, ten speaker CD stereo and electrical assistance for the mirrors, windows and steering. The quality of the fittings and assembly is first rate, as you would expect of Volkswagen.

There is more than ample space for five people and luggage in the spacious interior, but a bit more rear legroom would not go astray for those long weekend fishing trips.

The luxury model R5 gets leather seats with 12-way power adjustment, walnut and aluminium trim inserts, rain-sensing wipers and automatic dipping rear view mirror. The front seats are also heated.

There are few options offered other than the upgrade to the luxury model, but both would benefit from the front and rear parking sensors for $1500.

The leather-trimmed steering wheel houses a set of audio controls as well as the very accurate and easy to use cruise control. A full function trip computer is also included and rounds out the equipment list.

COMFORT
This is where the Touareg has a huge advantage over its rivals. Put simply this is one of the best interiors around regardless of the type of vehicle. The customary firm German seats provide superb comfort on a long trip and if you specify the luxury pack you get leather and twelve-way power adjustment. The quality of the materials is evident in everything that you touch in the interior and the manner they are assembled is truly first class.

There is tactility to the controls that will surprise and delight even the most cynical buyer. The superbly laid out instrument panel and huge centre console are ergonomically almost perfect. The attention to detail and quality continues in the luggage area, which is better trimmed than most lounge rooms. I would have liked a bit more legroom in the rear, but rest assured five people and their luggage will fit easily into the Touareg.

A feature that I haven't noticed on other SUVs is VW's provision of sun visors along the entire width of the windscreen. It's a small but important feature that shows the attention to detail evident throughout the vehicle.

SAFETY
There is no compromise on safety in the R5 as it comes with driver and passenger airbags, side airbags up front and curtain airbags all around. Very strong ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution pulled the R5 up smoothly and quickly both on and off road. Three-point belts are fitted to all five seats and there are three child seat anchor points in the rear.

From the driver's seat visibility is excellent and aided by large mirrors (that can fold in for tight parking bays) and the added safety and security of all-wheel drive traction makes the Touareg far from a chore to pilot around the 'burbs.

The all-wheel drive system normally distributes power 50:50 front to rear, but in conditions of marginal traction the system detects which wheel has the most traction and distributes power accordingly. The driver can activate the differential locks manually via a console-mounted switch if so desired.

The Touareg gets the full complement of active safety features including antilock brakes with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), stability/traction control (ESP and ASR), EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and EBC (Electronic Braking Control). It's a bit of a mouthful, but they all act together to deliver a seamless driving experience that is one of the best around in this type of vehicle. The use of a space saver spare is not entirely desirable, but at least you can option a full sized spare to be mounted on the tailgate.

MECHANICAL
The Touareg is a real off roader by virtue of its locking differentials and a low range ratio. Most of its competitors won't have either let alone both. The sophisticated 4Xmotion All Wheel Drive system features locking differentials and a hill descent system that works as well as any you might try.

The only transmission offered is a six-speed tiptronic automatic that is usually very good. However our test vehicle couldn't seem to make up its mind around town and delivered jerky and indecisive gearchanges. I ended up driving it via manual selection.

As mentioned earlier the R5 Touareg has a five-cylinder 2.5lt Turbo diesel engine. It is more than up to the task and is commendably economical; with an average of just over 10L/100km during our 600km test. That test included urban, freeway and even some off-roading so the figure is impressive.

The availability of 400Nm of torque just off idle makes the R5 a bit of a surprise package in the traffic. It can show a clean pair of heals to most cars and out on the highway the well-chosen gear ratios ensure that you can make maximum use of this torque in overtaking manoeuvres.

COMPETITORS
There is no shortage of competitors for the R5 Touareg with the usual suspects from Germany offering the same large range of variants and pricing. There is a new ML series Mercedes-Benz coming before the end of the year and it will come with a 3.2 litre diesel that will provide the Touareg with some very strong competition.

Equally BMW's excellent X5 diesel is the benchmark in the class and is the one to beat. The Honda MDX is a much underrated vehicle and like the R5 its more than a bit capable off road and offers seven seats (only five in Touareg) The Lexus RX330 offers similar equipment but has virtually no off road ability due to its intrusive traction control system.

If true off road ability is your wont then the new Land Rover Discovery 3 in diesel form is going to be very hard to beat. It has a superb new 2.7lt V6 turbo diesel that delivers performance and economy in equal measure.

ON THE ROAD
The Touareg is a very competent vehicle on the road with high levels of grip, strong brakes and a ride that won't punish you just because it has off road ability. Around town the ride is firm yet you never feel that it is harsh. On the open road the R5 just lopes along quietly and effortlessly and the low fuel consumption, accessible torque and the great thrummy sound of the in line five-cylinder engine provide a very pleasant driving experience. The predominant handling characteristic is understeer, but you have to be pressing on hard for it to become intrusive.

The traction and stability controls work seemlessly in delivering a very secure feel on the road. I had the opportunity to try the Touareg out on a purpose built 4WD course and it passed with flying colours. This is one SUV that really can take the rough with the smooth. It might make a bit of noise as the different traction systems make up their mind what they are doing, but it never lost traction and went a few places that I thought I might have need a bit of (off) road assist! The hill descent control works unobtrusively and allows you to concentrate on the job at hand.

The interior is a very nice place to be with suitably upscale materials and thoughtful design. The space and comfort are more luxury car than off roader/SUV and it seems that Volkswagen has got the recipe right.