Test drive Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI

The true character of the Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI. Exclusively for the portal Autotars, the six-time reigning champion of our country in rallying shared his impressions of the test car ...

Appearance “The updated model really looks much fresher and more aggressive than the first evolution. The exterior is aggressive but elegant at the same time. The car constantly evokes the glances of passers-by and other drivers. "

Interior “With the various options for electrically adjusting the seat, finding the optimal driving position is easy. The seats are comfortable and large, I would especially like to highlight the stiffness that is characteristic of the new generation of Volkswagen cars. Although the console is full of various switches, the time it takes to get used to this machine is minimal and the command logging system is great. The interior is at an enviable level. "

Engine “As you just said, I believe this is the right 'measure' for the Touareg. The combination of turbo diesel torque and automatic transmission is a real hit. The engine impresses with its performance on asphalt. It pulls well in all modes of operation, is extremely agile, and when going off-road, delivers plenty of low-end torque for high climbs. Given that this is an SUV weighing more than 2 tons, acceleration to “hundreds” in 9,2 seconds seems very interesting. I also notice that the soundproofing of the unit is at a high level and it often happens that at high speeds we are more worried about wind noise in the mirrors than the sound of the engine.

Transmission “The transmission is fantastic and I can only praise the engineers who worked on the transmission. Gear shifting is smooth and jerky and very fast. If the changes are not fast enough, there is a sport mode that "keeps" the engine at very high revs. Like the engine, the six-speed tiptronic is commendable. What is very important for SUVs is that the automatic triggers without too much delay when shifting gears, and this is where the Touareg does the job. "

Passability “I am surprised at the Touareg's readiness for the field. While many consider this car to be an urban make-up artist, it must be said that the Touareg is quite capable off-road. The body of the car looks hard as a stone, which we checked on the uneven rocky terrain of the riverbank. When slipping, the electronics transfer torque extremely quickly and efficiently to the wheels, which are firmly in contact with the ground. Pirelli Scorpion field tires (size 255/55 R18) withstood the onslaught of the field even on wet grass. In off-road driving, we were greatly helped by the system that ensures the car's immobility even on the highest climbs. After you apply the brake, the system is automatically activated and the vehicle remains stationary regardless of whether the brake is applied until you press the accelerator. The Touareg also performed well when we overdid it in water over 40 inches deep. First, we pressed it to the maximum by pressing the button next to the gearbox, and then we walked through the water without any problems. Pogloga was rocky, but this SUV showed no signs of fatigue anywhere, it just rushed forward. "

Asphalt “Thanks to the air suspension, there is no excessive rocking, especially when we lower the Touareg to its maximum (pictured below). However, already on the first connected curves, we understand that the Touareg's large mass and high "legs" resist sharp changes in direction, and any exaggeration immediately turns on the electronics. In general, the driving experience is very good, driving a powerful and powerful car with a fantastic appearance. That being said, the accelerations are very good and overtaking is a real chore.”