|
2004 Volkswagen Touareg Review
Ready for the Autobahn. Or Hell's Revenge.
2004 Touareg Review Summary & Specifications
Though late to the SUV party, Volkswagen has added dimension to the market with its new sport-utility vehicle. While most SUVs have gotten bigger, softer, less rugged, and less capable, the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg delivers the off-road capability that was part of the original sport-utility intent.Touareg combines luxury and sophistication with impressive off-road capability and highly competent road manners. It's a small, poor man's Range Rover that'll go anywhere you desire in smooth, luxurious comfort. While the V6 Touareg is competent, the V8 is needed for respectable levels of performance. Arguably, the capability of the Touareg is overkill as few owners are likely to come anywhere close to tapping its full potential. But this capability adds to the Touareg's credibility, demonstrates the high level of engineering that went into it, and distinguishes it among the herds of SUVs that have become nothing more than tall station wagons. Another point of credibility is the Touareg's towing capability: 7,700 pounds. That's more than the big Cadillac Escalade offers.
|
|
| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | Mitch McCullough |
| Model Lineup | Touareg V6 ($34,900); Touareg V8 ($40,700) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.2-liter dohc 40-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 220-horsepower 3.2-liter dohc 4-valve V6; 310-horsepower 4.2-liter dohc 5-valve |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | ABS, Brake Assist, ESP, all-wheel drive, adaptive torque distribution, electronic parking aid; front, side, and curtain airbags, three-point belts for all passengers including the rear-center position; force-limiters on front belts; tensioners on rear belts |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-DRIVE-VW |
| Manufacturer URL | www.vw.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 34900 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Volkswagen Touareg V8 ($40,700) |
| Standard Equipment | full leather upholstery, 12-way power adjustable seating, 18-inch alloy wheels; wood trim, power glass sunroof, dual-zone climate control with rear seat controls, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic rain-sensor window wipers |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | four-zone climate control ($1,200); Premium Plus Package ($7,000) includes Air Suspension, navigation system, Nappa leather trim, wood interior upgrade, bi-xenon headlamps, silver roof rack, Convenience Package with keyless access and memory function, power-adjustable steering column, sound system upgrade; rear differential lock ($550) |
| Destination Charge | 615 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | four-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 50065 |
| Horse Power | 310 @ 6200 |
| Torque | 302 @ 3000-4000 |
| Fuel Economy | 14/18 |
| Wheelbase | 112.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 187.2/75/9/68.0 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 38.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.7/NA/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.3/NA/35.6 |
| Trunk Volume | 71 |
| Payload | 1,250 |
| Towing Capacity | 7,716 |
| Front Suspension | double-wishbone independent adjustable air suspension with six ride heights and three damper settings |
| Rear Suspension | four-link independent adjustable air suspension with six ride heights and three damper settings |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3-11.8 |
| Curb Weight | 5300 |
| Stock Tires | 255/55VR18 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 26.4 |
|
|