2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI: Video Road Test and Review

The Volkswagen Touareg TDI is a near-luxury full-size SUV that provides much of the practicality found in larger American and Japanese competitors combined with a level of on-road refinement that is unusual for its class.  The Volkswagen Touareg TDI can handle as many as five passengers and is also capable of accommodating 71 cubic feet of cargo with the rear row folded forward.  Towing checks in at a respectable 7,700 lbs.  VW has outfitted each version of the SUV with side curtain airbags that extend along the entire length of the passenger compartment, front seat-mounted airbags, forward airbags, and electronic stability and traction control.  The Touareg TDI also comes with a hill-hold feature for its transmission.

The Volkswagen Touareg TDI is most notable for its 225 horsepower, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 engine that is also capable of generating a phenomenal 406 lb-ft of torque.  An eight-speed automatic transmission sends this output to all four wheels via the SUV's full-time all-wheel drive system, and fuel economy for the heavy vehicle is rated at a surprisingly competitive 19-mpg city and 28-mpg highway.

The Volkswagen Touareg TDI Sport (MSRP $46,875) starts out with HID headlights, a power liftgate, fog lights, heated leatherette seats, dual automatic climate control, a touchscreen stereo system, and Bluetooth connectivity.  The TDI Lux trim adds a panoramic sunroof, power folding side mirrors, true leather seating, wood trim, and power adjustments for the front seats, while the TDI Executive version of the vehicle (MSRP $58,595) includes 20-inch wheels, a louder stereo system, keyless entry and ignition, parking assistance, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

A list of cars similar to the Touareg TDI includes the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2012 Mercedes Benz ML350 BlueTEC.

See more details about the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI.