I just spent a week at the helm of the 2009 VW Touareg V6 TDI ( pictured ) . Our contributing editor Colin Mathews wrote a full review last month but there is nothing like putting in some serious seat time and lots of miles to really get to know a vehicle.
The week involved a trip from my home in Northern New Jersey to Atlanta, Ga. via Greensboro, N.C. The stop in N.C. was to pick up three nephews that helped work on my home in Hotlanta for a few days. When the Touareg was scheduled, I had no idea that I'd be putting so many miles on it. Lucky for me, it coincided with a free week in my schedule and I couldn't have been happier with its combination of luxurious comfort, room and excellent highway fuel economy. And according to three 16-year-old boys', the Touareg kicks as*. Their words, not mine.
Our trip was a quick one. I left New Jersey on Sunday and returned on the following Thursday. Needless to say there was a lot of seat time and our Touareg was equipped with driver and passenger 12-way power adjustable seats that allowed both front occupants to find the perfect position to spend the hours. The rear seats got no complaints and all three nephews, ranging from 5'8" to 6'2" found them to be enormously comfortable. At least that is how I interpreted their ability to fall asleep within minutes of getting underway.
The biggest "ahh hah" was the consistent 26 mpg that the Touareg TDI delivered on the highway. That beats the EPAs estimated mileage of 25 mpg and it was with a full vehicle going speeds just a "bit" higher that the legal limit. At one point we were in slow moving traffic for a long stretch and the trip computer indicated 27 mpg. Very impressive considering the Touareg is AWD and can tow up to 7,700 lbs. Combine the highway mpg with a 26-gallon fuel tank and you have a cruising range that would make some ICBMs jealous.
Critics of clean diesel technology have pointed to the new clean diesel fuel's inexplicable price premium over regular gasoline. For the first time in at least four years, I paid less for clean diesel on this trip. And if my observations over the journey from the Northeast to the deep South and back, clean diesel fuel seems to have a price parity with regular unleaded here on the East coast. If that is the case, there is one less argument against clean diesel fuel and the vehicles that use it.
Our test car was equipped with VWs upgraded Navigation system and it simply leapfrogs the system it replaces. I especially appreciated the ability to enter destinations as the vehicle is underway. They must have known that I get seriously cranky when I can't find a Starbucks nearby.
The stereo system won rave reviews by the nephews. There was enough base to make my leg hair move and it wasn't even the top-of-the-line Dynaudio system available with Technology Plus package.
The Touareg TDI was also a blast to drive. The 407 pound-feet of torque made acceleration "launch like" and the steering and handling are seemingly out of a smaller and lighter vehicle. VW says their Tiguan is the "GTI of SUVs" but my vote goes for the Touareg V6 TDI.
All this excellence comes at a price. The cost of entry to a Touareg TDI is $42,800 but don't expect to find many of those on dealer lots. Adding goodies cranks the price up quickly and it is possible to get one close to $60,000. Our test vehicle came in at $50,490 according to VW's online configurator.
There are some serious luxury competitors in that price range but few can offer the combination of luxurious accommodations, excellent fuel economy, goat like off-road prowess and the fun-to-drive factor.
See www.gaywheels.com .
