The Cayenne actually lives up to the ‘sport’ part of SUV. Top speed (governor limited): 125 mph MPG-o-Matic 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Review Summary: SUVs are particularly well-suited to clean diesel engines, with their gobs of torque and legendary fuel efficiency. I look forward to your look at the Durango. Full Edmunds Review: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg SUV The newest VW Touareg offers an available gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain and more passenger room, greater performance and higher fuel … Being caught behind one is about as much fun as being caught behind a bus. This redesigned Touareg is not quite as tall as its predecessor, a little longer, a little broader in beam, and a little more aggressive in its stance, thanks to a 1.5-inch increase in track. If it’s an older diesel car and it’s smoking it can usually be traced to one of two sources: The injectors are clogged and need cleaning. American shoppers are unable to buy a Touareg on these shores with VW’s “Driver Assistance Pack” which in the Euro-zone contains radar cruise control and a blind spot warning system. It’s visual only. I must admit that I was taking the piece seriously until I choked on that credibility obliterating piece of fantasy. The only person that believes these cars reliable is the person that has never owned one, or is trying to convince themselves their car is something it is not. I personally think that what you get with the Cayenne over the Treg is perhaps worth all that extra $$. Out on the road the 225HP and prodigious torque are more than adequate to get the Touareg moving on a short freeway onramps. #gallery-2 img { Never tuned or put a drop of oil in the engine between oil changes. I was actually just about to purchase a V6 Cayenne and the main decision was the manual transmission. But if you don’t mind spending an extra blink getting to 60 mph—6.9 seconds versus the hybrid’s 5.9—and you don’t mind saving a pretty nice chunk of dough in the process, then the diesel may be the alt-fuel Touareg for you. Rear view camera is now deleted in the Sport trim. Of course, there is a price premium that goes with all Euro fuels…. After about 30,000 miles, both our diesels smoked like a 60 year old hooker. Exactly as Bytor says “If you look at the torque curve of the 2.0L TDI vs 2.0L TSI, the Torque starts nice and low on both, but it starts falling much sooner(~2500 RPM) on the TDI and it stays relatively flat on the TSI almost to the point where the TDI redlines (where it has dropped significantly on the TDI) then the the TSI does start dropping and but keeps going for another 2000 more RPM.”. I was puzzled by the behavior of the all wheel drive system in about eight inches of snow; not linear at all. Cars? In my opinion, it’s driving dynamics are HUGLY improved over the previous model and the V6 was surprisingly strong. With luxury brands using this engine refinement is the name of the game. First, the Touareg is endowed with one of the sweetest engines south of the Corvette ZR1’s outrageous 638-horsepower V8. VW Touareg 4.2 TDi Altitude review By Robert Couldwell on December 17, 2011 in Car Reviews 2011 , Volkswagen No footballers, no drug dealers – just good, classless, neutral image … First it gets amazing gas mileage for size, weight and performance. As a longtime diesel promoter, Volkswagen’s interest in hybrids has been strictly competitive, its corporate line an assertion that diesel is the better fuel-saving alternative. I did need two new vacuum pumps during that time (no engine vacuum to run all of the then non-electric door locks, HVAC The base model is fairly well featured as it stands; the $3,850 “Lux” package adds 19-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, walnut trim, leather seats with 12-way adjustable driver’s sear and electric rear seat releases. The BEP is 75000 miles? With the demise of the old Explorer, and the death of all GM’s GMT360 variants, most mid-size SUVs sold in the US no longer contain the RWD based drivetrains that permit moderate towing capacities around 7,000lbs. Although if I’d buy an X5 it’d have to be a petrol version (sweet engines)…. From Volks-frigging-wagen? } If my folk’s Dodge truck is any guide, 15-16 per tank will be the norm. And of course there’s diesel thrift—19 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, per the EPA; 21 during our travels. Only watching Mercedes through the years. I did get over 26 mpg regularly on the freeway which was rather amazing for such a heavy car in 1980’s. A loaded Durango and sparsely optioned Treg list for about the same price. You can have your cake and eat it to. In addition the Treg’s brakes are pathetic by comparison. I drove my ’83 300SD (large body small engine) 140K miles in 8-9 years. } Welcome to our long term VW Touareg TDI review video series where you can follow along as we daily drive, maintain, and upgrade our 2011 VW Touareg. The heart of the matter here, of course, is VW’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel. MPGomatic.com puts an AWD 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI to a week-long test drive, rolling up over 700 miles. Also needed a new transmission at about 100K. vent open-close gadgets). Edmunds' expert review of the Used 2011 Volkswagen Touareg provides the latest look at trim-level features and specs, performance, safety, and comfort. If the fuel savings are greater than the addition depreciation, it’s worthwhile for you — if not, stick with the base engine (unless you like diesels/hybrids for other reasons). This redesigned Touareg is not quite as tall as its predecessor, a little longer, a little broader in beam, and a little more aggressive in its stance, thanks to a 1.5-inch increase in track. If you look at the torque curve of the 2.0L TDI vs 2.0L TSI, the Torque starts nice and low on both, but it starts falling much sooner(~2500 RPM) on the TDI and it stays relatively flat on the TSI almost to the point where the TDI redlines (where it has dropped significantly on the TDI) then the the TSI does start dropping and but keeps going for another 2000 more RPM. Two, the poor quality diesel fuel used in this country back in the day. Because of this lack of demand and a desire to keep weight and costs down, all the fun off road bits aren’t sold in the USA. While the new Durango is average for the pack with EPA numbers of 14/20, the Touareg boasts an EPA rating of 19/29 which is a touch higher than the BMW and Mercedes diesel SUV offerings. There is so much torque that it’s challenging to shift smoothly at full acceleration …. Very nice and refined indeed in the A6, but lighter weight of the A5 combined with the manual gearbox made it a very different animal indeed. All on-road diesel is now Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel with sulfur at 15 ppm max (used to be 500 ppm). Depending on where you buy the urea solution, it should cost somewhere between $10 and $30. 2011 Volkswagen Touareg 2011 V6 FSI Pricing and Specs: V6 TDI: 3.0L, Diesel, 8 SP AUTO : $19,300 – 26,840: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg 2011 V6 TDI Pricing and Specs: V6 TDI 4XMotion: 3.0L, Diesel, 8 SP AUTO : $21,000 – 28,490: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg 2011 V6 TDI … So modern diesels no longer shoot out black smoke like in the olden days. Diesels? The latest version of VW’s navigation software continues to be touch-driven in contrast to Mercedes’ COMMAND system, BMW’s iDrive and even VAG’s own Audi brand’s MMI. Not sure why the Rubicon comment was included. It’s great that the Touareg’s telematics system receives traffic information, however unlike most modern systems VW chose not to overlay the map with colored lined to indicate traffic speeds on major highways. Mercedes Diesel reliability…. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of decontenting going on now with a USA bound VW. At 225HP, and 406lb-ft of twist they might just be on to something. US buyers are also treated to a fairly ridiculous looking collapsible spare tire. All Touareg TDI models regardless of package have the easy-to-use VW RNS 850 navigation system with iPod/USB integration, Bluetooth and Sirius satellite radio. Reverting back to being known simply as the Touareg, Volkswagen's new previous crossover vehicle grows slightly in overall length. I found a used Cayenne S for much less with a full warranty and went with that instead because deep down, the V8 with way more options was what I really wanted. } Nice review Alex. If American metal is more your thing, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango twins can tow almost as much (7,400lbs) but must be equipped with the thirsty 5.7L V8 to do so. In recent years, the diesel pickups that roar away obnoxiously because their drivers think they’re in a NASCAR vehicle fantasizing. The all-new 2011 Volkswagen Touareg is the second generation of the SUV built on a shared Volkswagen Group platform in Bratislava, Slovakia alongside its platform cousins, the Audi Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne.. Consider this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R10_TDI. For reference this more torque than the 380HP supercharged hybrid Touareg we tested in January SUV making it the “torquiest” Touareg on these shores. There are a lot of vintage Mercedes diesels around here. Still, if the era of high-fuel prices turns out to be our permanent future, VW’s TDI SUV makes a compelling alternative. Diesel, especially the modern high tech’s, make so much more sense in large SUV’s. I’ve only driven a 4-cyl TDI (140hp 2.0 clean diesel) but my experience has been the opposite – torque curve on those is very broad compared to any gas-turbo I’ve driven. Of course any of the competition we mentioned will tow a trailer comparably well, but the Touareg TDI’s advantage is fuel economy. Our own 0-60 test executed in 6.97 seconds which is fairly close to what other publications have recorded and significantly faster than VW’s own 0-60 claims. As of 2011, all diesel passenger cars and trucks that VW sells are 50 state certified and compliant with the EPA’s Tier 2 Bin 5 emission requirements. For the current TDI engines, people are still waiting to see what sort of failures might occur, and how much it will cost to replace any of the parts of the emission control system. Since potential clean diesel shoppers seem to fall into the 30-60 year old demographic, this is still the image that diesel brings to mind for many, not the reliable but low-volume European diesels from the 70s and 80s. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. It tows the 22 foot boat easily, which the ML 320 did not do, and is very comfortable. We may earn money from the links on this page. Offering gasoline and TDI versions, the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg … The transmission is an eight-speed automatic. Zero to 60 mph: 6.9 sec Mercedes-Benz devoted something like 70% of their production volume to Diesel cars from 1975-1983. If you are searching for a vehicle that is suitable for commuting on weekdays and towing your Eddie Bauer Airstream or horse trailer with two ponies on weekends, a mid-size diesel SUV makes plenty of economic sense. VW’s latest Navigation uses a bright, high resolution eight-inch color touch-screen display that is easy to read even in direct sunlight. Braking, 70-0 mph: 177 ft, FUEL ECONOMY: The worst complaints are exhaust system, engine problems. The big news is the Touareg Hybrid, but it's not the only thing new. Pardon me for asking, but what is a collapsible spare tire? It wasn’t until the w201 cars were introduced that they began to shift toward Gasoline again. And does anyone think that the Durango’s real-world FE is anything near 14/20, as opposed to the TDI’s 27.7 observed in this article? I know, because I unfortunately drove my father’s 85HP, 1983 Cutlass Cierra diesel when I was a kid. Compared to the base V6 Touareg, this represents a 24% increase in observed fuel economy for a $3,000 premium. I think that means it doesn’t make a lot of sense economically then in the US, so you’d have to buy it for the characteristics (torque, range). 4,000lbs of bricks in a 2,100lb trailer proved no problem for the Touareg’s 406lb-ft of torque. Executive trim in VR6 and TDI is “currently unavailable.” Trims in the VR6 and TDI are now Sport, Sport with Navigation, and Lux. The only experience I have had with them is years ago of sitting behind city buses, eating all that smoky, dark, high particulate matter the tailpipe spewed when they eventually got going after making each stop, until I could either turn or pass them and stay away – far away. Zero to 100 mph: 27.2 sec Best line ever. Plus, you’ll never have to spend a nickel on spark plugs. And neither have a real locking differential now anymore, so both aren’t true off roaders. Volkswagen hasn’t always been known for shrewd product planning—consider the Passat W-8, or better, the Phaeton—but the new Touareg looks like a triumphal strategic SUV symphony in three keys: regular gas engine, hybrid, and diesel. Anyone who has tried towing a heavy trailer uphill with an old Dodge Ram with the old Cummins engine and 4-speed transmission knows the pain of finally hitting the power band only to have the transmission upshift and leave you back at square one. $50K – $60K for an SUV? Which is why I’m holding on to my Jetta TDI for a while longer. During out week with the Touareg we averaged 27.7MPG in mixed driving on the first tank, an impressive 30.5MPG on a 160-mile road trip, and 16.5MPG while towing two-tons of bricks. The Touareg TDI uses the same engine as its close cousin the Audi Q7. “Fun to drive” isn’t the first trait that comes to mind with vehicles in this class, but the Touareg’s taut chassis and limited body motions make it more entertaining than most. The diesel Touareg is rated to tow a segment leading 7,700lbs which is nothing to sniff at. The ZF 8HP45 employs close ratios to help keep the engine in its relatively narrow power band (compared to a turbocharged gasoline engine). That being said, the high cost of diesel and the relative uncertainty of what is undeniably still a niche market in America should be a concern for shoppers. Dash parts are suitably squishy, panels are aligned with Germanic precision and if it weren’t for the two-letter logo on the steering wheel you’d think you were inside a modern Audi. IOW, the break-even point may be 75k miles at today’s fuel prices, but could be less if fuel prices go up (or, of course more, if fuel prices decline). Also then diesel was cheaper than regular unleaded. How about throwing this engine/transmission combo into the A5, A7, and A6? Out here on the left coast, the cost of premium to fuel your base Touareg averaged $4.41 on 4/18/2011 and diesel was $4.48 (according to the CA Energy Commission), making the break-even point somewhere around 75,000 miles depending on your driving style. The new Touareg TDI is VW’s latest attempt to prove that 90% of Americans could live with a diesel every day. One of the ways VW has accomplished this price reduction is by discontenting and bundling options together into packages. } Rounding out the tow-capable SUVs, are the V8 Nissan Pathfinder (7,000lbs) and Lexus GX460 (6,500lbs). We have no complaints about the TDI … #gallery-2 .gallery-caption { At least not for now. As our 1050-mile week with the Touareg drew to a close I realized that it had only visited the diesel pump once during the week for an expensive 22-gallon fill-up eking 610 miles out of the first tank. width: 20%; Again making the Touareg the livable to tow is the 8-speed ZF automatic. The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg has 21 problems & defects reported by Touareg owners. Thanks for reminding me why I buy used. Not only did VW decide to keep the more capable 4xMotion 4WD system with low range a Euro-only option, but the adjustable-height suspension remains off-limits for American Shoppers. Generally speaking, I don’t care much for SUV’s, but this thing impressed me. It is to laugh. Are you in Ontario as well? I’ll bet it was quite a relief not having to plug this puppy in every time you parked it! Get KBB Fair Purchase Price, MSRP, and dealer invoice price for the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Sport Utility 4D. margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; I hope some believers show up with their AWD crossover VWs and learn about hype. #gallery-2 .gallery-item { The mpg is about the same as the AMG’s. Some times I have to stop the vehicle from tumbling so … Compared to BMW’s latest iDrive however the VW system seems less polished. text-align: center; Since my dad was a glutton for punishment, this was not his first unreliable GM diesel; we also had a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser with the infamous diesel V8. 6 CD in-dash changer now available but only without navigation. Search … Get 2011 Volkswagen Touareg values, consumer reviews, safety ratings, and find cars for sale near you. If you’re shopping for a Touareg, just walk right past that base V6 model on the floor and give the TDI a try. Sure, Porsche’s options are wallet killers but if you’re disciplined, a decently optioned Cayenne (V6) still gives you more good stuff than the decontented Treg, which isn’t exactly cheap either. Personally I’ll stick to gasoline. The problem of course with the Touareg as a true off-road vehicle is the sales demographic in the USA: buyers of the previous go-anywhere SUV thought “anywhere” meant suburban outlet stores instead of the downtown mall. Unlike diesels we all remember the TDI cranked just like a gasoline engine. I can’t honestly imagine that much cross shopping, even with VW’s market position as a main-line brand, but it seemed to be a sensible comparison point in some respects. … VW has been trying hard to overcome perceptions of diesels for some time with varying tactics. In this case, it is a delightful turbocharged 3.0-litre direct … Even if Porsche has underrated the stoplight performance of the Cayenne, these are some impressive numbers for an SUV that tips the scales at 4,974lbs as tested. The Touareg… The VW is a nice vehicle, but isn’t outstanding in any way (aside from the TDI’s EPA ratings) and its price tag is steep. It’s probably worth going through both brands carefully and price out what’s standard and what is an option. Sep 6, 2011 From inception, the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne were developed side by side to spread out the development costs of an entirely new platform. You talk like we’re still in 1985. For that reason alone, if I was in the $50000 car bracket the Porsche would be my choice. With the … I think it runs pretty well, now! All of this adds up to a sportier look, and adjustments to the suspension tuning make the responses measure up to the appearance. I was impressed by the ride. Get the real truth from owners like you. Nice one! by Old Lawyer from Wood County, West Virginia on Fri Mar 04 2011 I traded in a Cadillac Escalade when I bought the Volkswagen Touareg TDI, Executive trim. First released in 2004, this 3.0 liter, 24-valve DOHC powerplant is well known in Europe and found under the hood of vehicles such as the Phaeton, Audi A8, and Porsche Cayenne. (European buyers are able to spec a 4.2L V8 which wins the torque award by a hair.). 2011 VW Touareg V6 Tdi Starting Problems . The torque of the diesel is truly sumptuous, and … The Touareg is a car that Volkswagen couldn't afford not to build. My grandfather bought a chevy with that olds diesel engine. :-). The screen layouts are logical and easy to follow, the 3D mapping is on par with most systems as well. 10K miles according to the owner’s manual. While I was unable to test cold-winter starts since I live in sunny California, morning temperatures were around 31 degrees the week the TDI slept in my driveway. The Touareg TDI is not your father’s Oldsmobile. VW has been trying hard to overcome perceptions of diesels for some time with varying tactics. A winner of the 2011 Best New Canadian SUV/CUV (over 50k), as voted on by members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, the Volkswagen Touareg is based on a platform … This version of the Touareg is a luxury SUV with a quiet and plush interior imparting a truly premium ambiance. Missing out on a huge slug of the burgeoning American 'Sports Utility' market didn't sit happily with the top brass at Volkswagen and sharing a good deal of the chassis development budget with Porsche also helped to defray spiralling costs. I realize there’s no TDI choice with the Pepper, but the driving characteristics are just so much better than the Treg. What really chafes is that I have to waste a morning taking my late model gas car in to be smogged every 2 years while the reeking 190d in front of me is exempt. Speaking of pricing, our Touareg TDI came with the $9,950 “Executive package” raising our tester to $57,500 from the $47,950 sticker worn by base TDI models. It’s joined this year by a new eight-speed Tiptronic automatic, and the combination results in a very smooth operator, indeed. ), proceeded to convert it to running on cooking grease, thereby voiding his warranty, having the system utterly fail, and spending who-knows-what re-converting to diesel only again. Turbo lag is minimal for a diesel, that is to say it reminds me of driving a 1980s turbo car: the lag is there but it can be a pleasant companion. Dramatic new curves gave the new model a more dynamic look. On cold mornings I did notice a tiny hint of vibration and clatter when the engine first started, but after a few seconds the engine quiets down to a purr smoother than I thought a diesel was capable of. 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After the generously proportioned first-generation Touareg the second-generation model released in 2011 emerged lighter and much sleeker. Along with the Jetta, the 2011 model year also results in an upgraded Volkswagen crossover utility vehicle. Last GM he ever bought. Still, the factory ground clearance of 7.9-inches and full-time AWD 4Motion system are more than adequate for even a journey on the Rubicon Trail. The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Executive is one awesome car. Really terrible stuff. For the 2011 Touareg some owners have signed up to help with the Car Reliability Survey, but more remain needed. I heartily agree. That highway number is 4 mpg better than the new hybrid’s rating. Average economy: 27.7MPG (observed:30.5MPG Highway), #gallery-2 { Unfortunately, American auto manufacturers have been hesitant to commit to diesel SUVs, … I would prefer such a system to be mounted higher on the dash thereby increasing the ease of use (and lowering distraction) while driving. The old V10 TDI in the previous Touareg proved that a diesel could be fast and thirsty, the previous generation Jetta TDI proved diesels can be terribly slow but incredibly efficient.

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