HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 91

Volkswagen's third generation Touareg is a large luxury SUV that in this updated form is now smarter looking, better-equipped and more efficient. As before, this car's dynamically better than you expect it to be, both on road and off it. True, it can't offer more than five seats, but then neither can key rivals like the Lexus RX or Porsche's Cayenne. If you're looking at one of those contenders in this segment, then this under-rated Touareg offers a very complete package with a value proposition that could prove hard to resist.

Background word count: 189

Large luxury SUVs tend to be more about style than substance. Here's one that's different, the much improved version of Volkswagen's third generation Touareg. The original version of this car, launched in 2003 and named after a North African tribe, represented the Wolfsburg brand's first venture into the luxury SUV market and that '7L' design struck a chord with quite a few buyers in this segment. The second generation '7P' version, introduced in 2010, was less successful but Wolfsburg regained momentum in 2018 with that model's successor, the third generation 'CR' design we look at here. Five years on from launch, this MK3 Touareg was significantly updated, to create the car we're looking at in this Review. As with the pre-facelift model, it use the same MLB Evo platform you'll find in Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini large SUVs. And, unlike them (also as before), it's actually quite at home off road. As before, the idea is to provide an appealing compromise between the extreme 'SUV'-ness of, say, a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Jeep Grand Cherokee. And more paved-surface-orientated large SUVs like the BMW X5 and the Mercedes GLE.

Driving Experience word count: 333

The Volkswagen Group has been careful to ensure that this third generation Touareg doesn't prioritise sharp tarmac handling to quite the extent of its close cousin, the Porsche Cayenne. Even so, it can still be fitted with some of the Wolfsburg conglomerate's choiciest elements of dynamic technology - things like a rear axle steering system and Active Roll Compensation. Well conventionally-engined variants can anyway, those being the 3.0 TDI V6 diesel that most customers choose (offered with either 231 or 286PS); or the alternative minority-interest 340PS 3.0 TSI V6 petrol version. If you're not bothered about that extra optional drive tech, there are a couple of Plug-in hybrid models that do without it, the 381PS eHybrid and the 462PS flagship Touareg R version. These mate a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine with a 136PS electric motor energised by a 14.3kWh battery capable of a (slightly disappointing) 31 mile EV driving range. Avoid base trim and your Touareg will come with a two-chamber air suspension system - which you'll need if you're to be able to properly put its quite accomplished levels of off road prowess to the test. It can raise ride height by as much as 70mm. for the gnarly stuff, there are 'Snow' and 'Off-Road' drive modes, the latter with 'auto' and 'Expert' options. And for road use? Well there are the usual 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Normal' and 'Sport' 'Driver profile selection' settings. The PHEVs offer 'Hybrid' and 'Electric' modes too. On tarmac, this Touareg's quite happy to attack a twisty series of bends in a reasonably spirited fashion, particularly in this R form or with all that expensive extra-cost drive tech fitted. But you never sense that its heart is really in it. The slightly over-light steering doesn't help. Nor, when sharp throttle applications are needed, does the slightly delayed reaction you sometimes get from the 8-speed Tiptronic auto gearbox. Better to settle back and just enjoy this Volkswagen solidly luxurious tank-like vibe. It really is a rather nice way to travel.