It's Got The Looks… And The Power!

[ Tow Test ] Volkswagen Touareg.

- Godfrey Castle

600 Nm of engine muscle and a factory-approved towing capacity of 3 500kg… yes, please! Until now, Volkswagen’s Touareg had been at the bottom of my list when I compared it with the likes of top-end luxury 4x4 SUVs such as the Toyota Prado, Mercedes-Benz ML and Land Rover Discovery. For visual and practical reasons, I felt that it was just not in the same class as these market leaders, and I need usable interior space, especially in the rear loading bay. And the styling felt a little... dare I say, German middle-class? Well, that’s all changed.​​​​

WHAT’S NEW

In its new shape, the Touareg is 77 mm longer and 44 mm wider than the previous model, and with the restyled interior and air suspension, it is a very nice package!

It also gives the impression that it must surely be one of the most advanced vehicles in the race for the driverless car, with the newfound technical ability of Lane-keep Assist, Side Assist with night vision, and a Heads-Up display to assist in preventing accidents. A driver has simply never had it so easy!

Then, there are the useful towing features like trailer stability control and a self-levelling rear suspension, which for us caravanners is a wonderful confidence-booster when towing long distance.

It’s also gone German upper-class in styling: it’s zhooshed up – and it certainly turns heads!

On the outside, the new model has a more aggressive front chrome grill and various LED lights; the back also has a new LED lighting design.