3. VW Touareg SE

On test: Volkswagen Touareg SE 3.0 V6 TDI Tiptronic (2006 onwards model)

• Bodystyle: five-door 4x4
• Engine: 3.0-litre V6 TDI
• Fuel type: diesel
• Transmission: six-speed automatic with Tiptronic
• Date of test: February 2006

What is it?

The Volkswagen Touareg was introduced in 2003, representing the company’s first move into the luxury 4x4 segment. This is the updated version, featuring over 2,300 individual new parts – even your granny will not fail to notice the facelift, thanks to a chrome nose job that identifies Volkswagen’s new Eos-inspired corporate face. Other exterior changes are new lights all round, revised bumpers and tailpipes, plus wing mirrors with improved aerodynamics. The inside is also refreshed. Perhaps more importantly, under the skin there are some sophisticated upgrades to the safety equipment, plus a couple of tasty-sounding options arriving later in the year.

Where does it fit?

The Touareg is Volkswagen’s most successful attempt at moving upmarket thus far. As a luxury product, the pre-facelift model proved much more acceptable than the company’s Phaeton saloon. Sharing underpinnings with the Porsche Cayenne probably helps, but so do elegant looks (for an SUV), equipment levels, and a high-quality interior ambience. Value is pretty good, the 3.0-litre V6 TDI SE costing £35,610 on the road, while having a V10 TDI hero car – recently newsworthy for towing 155-tonnes of Boeing 747 – is also advantageous. A credible alternative to luxury 4x4s from Lexus, Volvo, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz – albeit one with only five seats.

Is it for you?

You probably already know if you fit the 4x4 buying demographic, given the contemporary image-related baggage. That said, the Touareg makes an excellent tow-car – the optional tow-bar kit (£450) incorporating a new ESP upgrade with trailer stabilisation system to combat yawing and snaking – has fine on-road manners, and the interior quality makes for an excellent executive saloon alternative. This does not mean it is off-road hopeless, as there is a low-range gearbox, short overhangs, and hill descent control; specify the optional air suspension (£2,495) and you get up to 300mm of ground clearance (237mm is standard). Five-star EuroNCAP safety, too.

What does it do well?

Let’s talk technology. Aside from aesthetics, the revised Touareg’s primary improvements are safety related. New rollover sensors can pre-empt an imminent topsy-turvy moment and deploy the necessary airbags in anticipation, while the Touareg now comes with “ABSplus”, improving braking performance on loose surfaces by up to 20%. Two notable options – arriving later this year – are Front Scan and Side Scan. The latter is a blindspot monitor; we have seen these before. But Front Scan watches the road ahead for danger; working with the Adaptive Cruise Control, it can even brake the car to a complete halt if necessary – a first in this sector.

What doesn’t it do well?

With its wheel-at-each-corner stance, low roofline and weight-saving details, including aluminium for the bonnet and some of the gearbox components, it is no surprise the Touareg is competent on-road. However, if we are nit-picking (which we are), the steering on the V6 TDI is rather over-assisted, a little vague, and lacks genuine feel. This will not bother many people, though – and nor will bodyroll, which is generally well contained. The six-speed automatic gearbox is smooth enough, and the Tiptronic manual override works well. But consistent use of the more responsive “Sport” setting will reduce fuel economy, as it cruises in lower gears as well as kicking-down earlier.

What’s it like to live with?

Given enough space, the Touareg is a very pleasant way to get around. The light steering and reassuring brakes mean urban driving is a doddle – right until you are trying to park, or manoeuvre in areas more than usually restricted in the width department. The sheer size of the thing makes the actual amount of interior space seem a little disappointing, but the cabin revisions improve on an already great place to spend time. It rides tautly but not without compliance, the Touareg’s high strength construction helping with both comfort and refinement – which are excellent. Sat-nav and leather are standard on SE and above.

How green is it?

You can guess the answer to this – and it is not especially pretty. But, with combined fuel consumption of 26.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 278g/km (both figures sans the optional £425 diesel particulate filter making matters marginally worse), the 3.0-litre TDI is not far off the most green 2.5-litre TDI, significantly besting the rest of the range. The 3.0 costs about £1,300 more than the 2.5 – spec for spec – but offers superior refinement and performance. The 256bhp and 369lb ft of torque means 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and 125mph; real world performance enough for anyone who doesn’t actually need to uproot trees (see the V10).

Would we buy it?

Although the bigger, more performance-orientated engines have an understandable allure, the 3.0-litre TDI Touareg simply makes more sense. Choose this to blend refinement, power and reasonable value, without completely dismissing environmental concerns. As for whether we would buy a Touareg at all, the big Volkswagen has got an awful lot going for it. The interior is great, it drives nicely, and the 4x4 hardware should see you through the worst on-road conditions – even moderate rough stuff. The badge might not have the greatest cachet, but in some respects this widens the Touareg’s appeal. A very worthy choice, and one we would definitely consider.