2012 Volkswagen Touareg Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Volkswagen Touareg review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Touareg, and includes VW Touareg safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Touareg (pronounced tour-egg) is Volkswagen’s midsize SUV. That description sounds unfairly pedestrian, especially in light of the Touareg’s high price tag. Sharing engineering with the Porsche Cayenne, the Touareg is robustly constructed, features true off-road capability, and is built with quality materials. It is a luxury SUV in all ways except for the VW badge, and competes against models such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q5, Cadillac SRX, BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover LR4, Lexus GX 460, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the aforementioned Porsche, and the Volvo XC60.

Last year, the Touareg was completely redesigned, so it’s understandable that it sees few changes for 2012. A touchscreen radio with a CD changer is now standard, and Volkswagen introduces a new Touareg Sport with Navigation model that includes a navigation system with a 60-gig hard drive and rear parking sensors in the bumper.

There are three different 2012 Volkswagen Touareg models. The 3.6 VR6 is the most popular model, and is also the least expensive. Alternatively, buyers can choose a TDI Clean Diesel model or a TSI Hybrid model.

For the 3.6 VR6 and the TDI Clean Diesel, VW provides four different trim levels, starting with Sport. Sport models have leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a touchscreen radio with a CD changer and iPod connection, satellite radio, Bluetooth, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, and eight-way power heated front seats. Other standard features include active bi-Xenon headlights with LED running lights, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, a power tailgate, a HomeLink universal remote, and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel. The Touareg’s rear seat splits and folds in a 40/20/40 arrangement, and VW supplies four 12-volt power outlets as well as a 115-volt electrical outlet. Get the Sport with Navigation model, and the Touareg is equipped with rear parking sensors and a navigation system powered by a 60-gig hard drive. The navigation system features 3-D rendering of maps and directions, if desired, and offers an SD card slot.

Next up is the Lux trim level. Lux models include 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, genuine wood cabin trim, a panoramic sunroof, heated side mirrors, 12-way power front seats, and power rear seat releases for easier cargo capacity expansion. The Touareg Lux also has memory-linked seats and mirrors for the driver.

For even more luxury, there’s the Touareg Executive, which comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a 620-watt Dynaudio premium sound system, and keyless access with push-button start.

At the top of the lineup sits the limited-production Touareg TSI Hybrid, which includes everything listed above plus a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, power adjustable lumbar support for the front seats, aluminum pedal covers, and metal door scuff plates.

Given the three different Touareg models available, it should come as no surprise that there are three different powertrains offered. The 3.6 VR6 is equipped with a 280-horsepower V6 engine that makes 265 lb-ft of torque, distributed to all four wheels through Volkswagen’s 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive system and a Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission. Charged with motivating more than 4,700 pounds and burning premium fuel, the 3.6 VR6 is estimated to get 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Acceleration to 60 mph takes 7.4 seconds, according to Volkswagen.

Those fuel economy numbers make spending $3,500 more for the TDI Clean Diesel a bit more compelling. This 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 makes 225 horsepower and an impressive 406 lb-ft of torque, and maximum torque is available from 1,750 rpm to 2,250 rpm, making this version of the Touareg feel particularly powerful when accelerating or driving around town, even if it takes 7.9 seconds to get to 60 mph. Like other Touareg’s, the TDI Clean Diesel has 4Motion and an eight-speed automatic, and is estimated to get 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Volkswagen claims that the TDI has a highway driving range of greater than 725 miles.

Folks who don’t like diesel can choose the TSI Hybrid model, which pairs a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine with electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack to achieve 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, running on premium fuel. Total power output measures 380 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, and the Touareg Hybrid can get up to 30 mph on the battery pack alone. Volkswagen says the Touareg Hybrid accelerates to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

Some folks have the opinion that Volkswagens are expensive to maintain. VW tries to combat this by providing a standard Carefree Maintenance Program on all of its models. All scheduled maintenance is covered, free of charge, for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership.

Volkswagen adds a few extra safety features beyond the industry-standard six airbags, traction and stability control, and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. There’s an Intelligent Crash Response System that automatically cuts fuel supply to the engine, activates the hazard flashers, and unlocks the doors in the event of a serious collision, but lots of automakers offer this kind of feature. The Touareg also comes with a rollover sensing system (again, common in SUVs) and a Brake Disc Wiping feature that is usually available on higher-end European models. Rear parking sensors are included on all but the basic Sport models.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not rate the Touareg, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) called the redesigned Touareg a Top Safety Pick in its freshman year.

J.D. Power and Associates predicted that the 2011 Touareg would provide average dependability over time, but has not rated the 2012 model as we write this review. Consumer Reports does not offer a reliability prediction for the Touareg.

The Volkswagen Touareg’s 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive system features a limited-slip rear differential that splits torque 40-percent to the front wheels and 60-percent to the rears. Water fording depth measures 19.7 inches, and the Touareg can laterally traverse a 35-degree grade. Approach and departure angles measure 26 degrees, and the breakover angle is 21 degrees.

For greater cargo- and people-carrying capability, the Touareg’s rear seat slides forward and back by more than six inches, and the seatback also reclines for greater comfort on longer trips. With its 40/20/40-split folding seatback, the Touareg can carry skis in addition to four passengers. There’s 32 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. Fold it, and the Touareg offers 64 cubes with which to work.

If you need to tow something, you should know that the 2012 Touareg features a 7,700-pound towing capacity when properly equipped.

Luxury SUV buyers are doing themselves a disservice by failing to consider the Volkswagen Touareg. It might not have a luxury badge, but by any logical standard this is an upscale off-roader equipped with stout engineering, real four-wheeling capabilities, an impressive tow capacity, and roomy comfort for up to five passengers. Our favorite models are the TDI Clean Diesel and the Hybrid, but any Touareg is worthy of more consideration than it gets.

By Christian Wardlaw