2010 Volkswagen Touareg 2

Cars

By Brian Douglas, Autoeditor.com

Last update: October 15, 2009 - 3:22 PM

Not everyone really needs a big, capable sports utility vehicle. That's why "crossovers," those tall wagons that can haul lots of people and cargo have become so popular. Of course, if you really do take a big SUV off road or need to tow 7,000 pounds, a car-based utility vehicle just isn't the answer. So for the serious buyer, VW's Touareg 2 TDI may be just the ticket.

The clean diesel Touareg is big and tough, with plenty of off-road capability along with the torque and structure to haul serious truck-like loads. Yet, its powerful 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine delivers V-8 like performance with fuel economy that's better than VW's excellent 3.6-liter V-6 and nearly every other serious rival.

The Touareg 2 TDI is not cheap, with a base price (including freight) nearing the mid $40,000s. But this well appointed VW looks and feels like a premium brand and when luxury packages are added, it's hard to imagine why one would spend more for an equivalent SUV from Audi or Porsche.

For 2010, VW has eliminated the costlier Touareg V-8 FSI model, since the TDI diesel is just as powerful and more efficient. And walnut wood interior accents are now standard along with Bluetooth technology, but mysteriously, an iPod cable is only available with the Navigation Package.

Volkswagen has had mixed results in its effort to move its brand a bit upscale. The luxurious Phaeton quickly succumbed to VW Group's own Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and other luxury German rivals.

I've spent some time on off-road courses with the Touareg line and can attest to its rock crawling and canyon climbing prowess, although it's too big for many, serious wooded trails.

On the road, the Touareg's generous size imparts a feeling of solid substance. The suspension is firm, yet compliant enough to keep the driver and passengers isolated from road trauma. A long list of safety features and basic engineering add substance to the feeling of security.

EPA fuel economy:

City: 17, Highway: 25

Base Price:

$44,710 (ast tested, $53,660)

Recent Cars: Buy stories

A wilder cat: 2010 Jaguar XFR - October 15, 2009

A wilder cat: 2010 Jaguar XFR - Jaguar's smart, contemporary XF series has been a dramatic success for the company that had appeared to be stuck in a design theme that worshiped the proud marque's early history. Although Jaguar attributes have skewed toward the comfort end of luxury, the company has also offered performance versions of its lineup. More

2010 Buick LaCrosse - October 15, 2009

2010 Buick LaCrosse - The all-new 2010 Buick LaCrosse is probably one of the most progressive models Buick has offered in at least 20 years, which should go a long way toward helping Buick shrug off its reputation for making old-folks cars. More