TDI R-Line 4dr All-wheel Drive 4MOTION
2014 Volkswagen Touareg

2014 Touareg Photos
The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg is offered in four different trims -- Sport, Lux, new R-Line and Executive -- and each of these trims is offered in either V6 or TDI form. An X Special Edition is also offered, to celebrate the model's tenth anniversary; it is largely equipped as a TDI Lux, with Moonlight Blue exterior paint and unique interior and exterior accents. V6 models have a narrow-angle "VR6" engine under the hood, making 280 horsepower, while TDI models get a 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 engine with 225 horsepower and 406 ft-lb of torque.

Both engines incorporate direct injection and are hooked up to a wide-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, but otherwise these two engines are quite different in character. The V6 is quiet, refined and high-revving, with good passing response, while the diesel is a heavy puller, at its best in the low-to-mid revs, which makes it a good choice for towing -- up to 7,716 pounds when properly equipped. The TDI engine is also much more refined than diesel engines of the past, and it achieves an excellent EPA highway rating of 29 mpg.

Standing separately, at the top of the lineup price-wise, is the Touareg Hybrid. Combining a 333-horsepower, 3.0L supercharged V6 engine with an electric motor system, and a 288-volt, 1.7-kWh battery pack housed beneath the cargo area, the Touareg Hybrid's powertrain can deliver up to 380 hp and 428 ft-lb of torque, and it can cruise at up to 30 mph on electric power alone or coast at much higher speeds by temporarily stopping the engine and disengaging the transmission. Regenerative braking recovers energy when braking. Together, the system yields estimated mileage of 20 mpg city, 24 highway.

The Touareg is built with a stout unit-body construction, and a tough 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with rear limited-slip Torsen differential (sending 60 percent of torque to the rear most of the time) is standard on all Touareg models. The suspension and steering layout, however, with control arms front and rear, coil springs and variable-ratio power steering, are tuned mostly toward on-the-road responsiveness, with a nod to occasional trail use. With either engine, the transmission has a Sport mode, as well as manual gear control if the driver chooses.

Inside, the Touareg impresses as more of a luxury vehicle than it might appear to be on the outside -- or than the VW badge might suggest. While the design might look familiar compared to a Jetta or Passat, the materials are a step up, with walnut wood accents and available Vienna leather in Black Anthracite, Cornsilk Beige or Saddle Brown. Lux and Executive models, as well as the Hybrid, include a panoramic sunroof that covers more of the roof and lets a lot of sun shine in.

Five can fit in the Touareg. There's plenty of legroom and headroom front and back, as well as seats that are very supportive and sized for adults. The rear seat can recline or slide fore and aft 6.3 inches, and it's split 60/40 for …
Full Review
The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg is offered in four different trims -- Sport, Lux, new R-Line and Executive -- and each of these trims is offered in either V6 or TDI form. An X Special Edition is also offered, to celebrate the model's tenth anniversary; it is largely equipped as a TDI Lux, with Moonlight Blue exterior paint and unique interior and exterior accents. V6 models have a narrow-angle "VR6" engine under the hood, making 280 horsepower, while TDI models get a 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 engine with 225 horsepower and 406 ft-lb of torque.

Both engines incorporate direct injection and are hooked up to a wide-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, but otherwise these two engines are quite different in character. The V6 is quiet, refined and high-revving, with good passing response, while the diesel is a heavy puller, at its best in the low-to-mid revs, which makes it a good choice for towing -- up to 7,716 pounds when properly equipped. The TDI engine is also much more refined than diesel engines of the past, and it achieves an excellent EPA highway rating of 29 mpg.

Standing separately, at the top of the lineup price-wise, is the Touareg Hybrid. Combining a 333-horsepower, 3.0L supercharged V6 engine with an electric motor system, and a 288-volt, 1.7-kWh battery pack housed beneath the cargo area, the Touareg Hybrid's powertrain can deliver up to 380 hp and 428 ft-lb of torque, and it can cruise at up to 30 mph on electric power alone or coast at much higher speeds by temporarily stopping the engine and disengaging the transmission. Regenerative braking recovers energy when braking. Together, the system yields estimated mileage of 20 mpg city, 24 highway.

The Touareg is built with a stout unit-body construction, and a tough 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with rear limited-slip Torsen differential (sending 60 percent of torque to the rear most of the time) is standard on all Touareg models. The suspension and steering layout, however, with control arms front and rear, coil springs and variable-ratio power steering, are tuned mostly toward on-the-road responsiveness, with a nod to occasional trail use. With either engine, the transmission has a Sport mode, as well as manual gear control if the driver chooses.

Inside, the Touareg impresses as more of a luxury vehicle than it might appear to be on the outside -- or than the VW badge might suggest. While the design might look familiar compared to a Jetta or Passat, the materials are a step up, with walnut wood accents and available Vienna leather in Black Anthracite, Cornsilk Beige or Saddle Brown. Lux and Executive models, as well as the Hybrid, include a panoramic sunroof that covers more of the roof and lets a lot of sun shine in.

Five can fit in the Touareg. There's plenty of legroom and headroom front and back, as well as seats that are very supportive and sized for adults. The rear seat can recline or slide fore and aft 6.3 inches, and it's split 60/40 for …
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Retail Price

$58,190 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 3.0L V-6
MPG 20 City / 29 Hwy
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 8-spd w/OD
Power 240 @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain 4MOTION all wheel
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