Motor Trend’s Long-Term Road Test of the Touareg
August 17, 2006 – 5:32 pm by Matt Radel
Filed under Volkswagen Touareg
The results are in from the Motor Trend crew, and the verdict is mixed.
We’ve been interested in test results and opinions on the Touareg ever since Forbes dropped the ‘bo on it. Fortunately Motor Trend published thier notes from their 2004 model on the heels of the damaging article, which touted the Touareg as “One of the Least Reliable Luxury Cars of 2006″.
And the results are quite mixed. Here are some quotes from the crew:
In stop-and-go driving, the combo of an abrupt throttle and transmission that often seems uncertain what gear to select make for hiccup-filled progress. You have to work hard to impress passengers with your professional smoothness.
- Arthur St. Antoine
I can believe that. I’ve noticed transmission “uncertainty” in both my Golf as well as my girlfriend’s Jetta.
The level of luxury from material colors and textures to the wood and metal accents to the excellent stereo system are a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, the navigation system is a letdown; how about some street names?
- Allyson Harwood
Are you kidding? No street names on the navigation system? It sounds like VW might have taken the occasional minimalistic mindset a bit too far in this case. Then again, I guess you really don’t need street names…if you don’t leave your neighborhood.
She’s a peach on the highway at about 90 mph. The V-8 makes a well-toned, distinctive German growl when at wide-open throttle, and the throttle blips when in Sport Mode–all smile inducing.
- Brian Vance
That’s a reoccurring comment. Everyone seems to dig the way it handles on the highway at high speeds. But some disagree on how it handles off the road. All in all it seems that everyone digs the aesthetic appeal of the Touareg, but the function, design and reliability of various elements come under fire constantly. They even make mention of rubber moldings loosing their shine and being replaced under warranty. Though the notes where encouraging after reading what Forbes had to say. Hopefully VW fulfills their newfound commitment to quality and they continue to improve the Touareg. We’ll just have to see.
Motor Trend’s Long-Term Road Test of the Touareg
August 17, 2006 – 5:32 pm by Matt Radel
I’ve noticed that a little bit about the transmission in my Touareg, too — not a big deal, and over time I’ve gotten pretty good at getting a smooth ride out of it to impress the passengers. And other times, I’ll use the Tiptronic and get that smooth ride the old-fashioned way — shifting when I want.
I don’t find the throttle too abrupt, though — more than that, I find the brakes quite sensitive. I’ll sometimes break a tad too hard, not out of panic-stopping but out my foot slipping slightly and them being quite sensitive.