VW Touareg V8 TDI Test Drive

Behind wheel of range-topping diesel SUV

YOU can now order VW‘s full-size Touareg SUV with a 4.2-litre V8 turbodiesel, which delivers a huge 800Nm of torque – 50Nm more than the old V10 diesel.

The new car sits above the £57,970, 34.4mpg hybrid at the top of the new Touareg range, but can VW really compete at this end of the SUV market?

VW Touareg V8 TDI

With the creamy-smooth V8 ticking ever underthe bonnet, and the excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox blurring the ratios, the powertrain is certainly befitting of the price. Just like with a Rolls-Royce or Bentley, it always feels like there’s plenty of performance in reserve should you need it.

Under full throttle, the acceleration is immense. There’s a swelling surge and, if you’ve selected the softest suspension setting, the nose tips skywards and you rocket down the road. However, this understated off-roader always feels more comfortable cruising around and taking things a little more slowly.

The optional air-suspension does a brilliant job in a straight line, ironing out bumps in the road with ease. We drove across a louse manhole cover and heard the wheels crash over it, but didn’t feel a thing from the driver’s seat. In corners, though, the body rolls as the car struggles to contain its weight. Things can be improved by switching to the firmest of the suspension’s three modes, but you lose the suppleness over broken surfaces.

VW Touareg V8 TDI

By most standards the caDin is sumptuous. It’s spacious, the build quality is superb and the large central touchscreen and good-sized display between the dials are intuitive to use and look great.

But somenow the VW lacks the depth of luxury that you’ll find in its sister car, the Porsche Cayenne, or the BMW X5. Still, the Touareg is well equipped for some light off-roading, with hill-hold, hill-descent and start- assist systems ail includec as standard. There’s a handy dial for you to toggle through the various off-road settings, too.

VW Touareg V8 TDI

Verdict VW Touareg V8

THE combination of a powerful dieseland smooth auto makes this range-tupping Touareg fantastic to drive. But take a closer look and the case for it begins to unravel. At nearly L60,000, it’s L15,000 more expensive than the marginally slower but just as capable 3.0 V6 TDI. More significantly, it’s L13,000 more than Porsche’s Cayenne diesel, which feels more special inside and is more accomplished.

VW Touareg V8 TDI Interior

Details VW Touareg V8

VW Touareg 4.2 V8 TDI Altitude
Price: L59,580
Engine: A.2-litre V8 turbodiesel
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Power/torque: 335bhp/800Nm
0-60mph: 5.8 seconds
Top speed: 150mph
Economy/CO2: 31mpg/239g/km
Equipment: Panoramic glass roof, adaptive air suspension, leather seats, climate control, electric windows, touchscreen sat-nav