2015 Volkswagen Touareg First Look

What's New

While not typically on the top of a buyer's wish list, the Volkswagen Touareg features a number of luxury features many would not expect on a mainstream utility vehicle. An all-new Volkswagen Touareg makes its global debut at the Beijing auto show this month, and there are some noteworthy changes. While Volkswagen made only subtle tweaks to the SUV's design, a number of new packages and features will make it distinct from the previous version. New exterior shades, including silvers, golds, blues, and browns, are available for the new model year along with a number of new interior upholstery choices. Additional wheel choices are also now available on the model. A new R-Line package promises to boost the sporty appeal of this model. This model features a sport steering wheel, upgraded 19-inch wheels, silver inlays, tinted rear windows, and more. Other features on the Touareg SUV include a panoramic sunroof, lane assist, and emergency braking. New for this year is integrated Google POI search and Google Earth maps, helping drivers navigate their way around town with a familiar navigation system.

Powertrain

Different areas of the globe receive different powertrain combinations for the new 2015 Volkswagen Touareg. For the U.S. and Canada, the powertrains carry over from the previous model year. A gasoline-powered V-6 produces 280 horsepower while a performance-oriented hybrid achieves 380 horsepower. A diesel V-6 is also available and produces 240 horsepower. Stop/start technology is standard on all engines, as is all-wheel drive with Torsen differential lock on base models. Despite the all-wheel drive, Volkswagen was able to improve fuel economy on the new Touareg by up to 6 percent.

Our Thoughts

We have long thought the Touareg was overpriced and overengineered for most buyers in the midsize SUV marketplace. Based on the information we have, we don't see any reason to change this opinion. While buyers may appreciate the new exterior and interior options—and particularly the new Google features—we are still skeptical that this SUV is a good buy for most consumers.