2012 Volkswagen Touareg

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$11,545–$24,021 Inventory Prices
(4.0) 21 reviews
2012 Volkswagen Touareg
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Driving ease
  • Comfortable backseat
  • Cabin materials
  • Easy-folding backseat

The Bad

  • Price
  • Hybrid fuel efficiency
2012 Volkswagen Touareg exterior side view

Notable Features of the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg

  • Larger but lighter than prior generation
  • Available gasoline, diesel or gas-electric hybrid V-6s
  • Standard AWD
  • 7,700-pound towing capacity

2012 Volkswagen Touareg Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

Positioned atop the VW lineup, the five-seat Touareg competes with luxury crossovers such as the Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and Lincoln MKX. It comes with a choice of three V-6 engines: a traditional gas V-6, a turbocharged diesel V-6 and a V-6 gas-electric hybrid drivetrain.

(Skip to details on the Touareg Hybrid)

New for 2012
The Touareg gains a standard six-CD touch-screen stereo system.

Exterior
The Touareg has a clean separation between its grille and front air dam, with Audi-like LEDs in the headlights and taillights. Exterior features include:

  • Chrome door accents
  • Stylish tailpipes


Interior
The Touareg's cabin is fairly conventional. Climate controls fall below a large center display screen, and the steering wheel adopts the same controls as those found in the Golf and GTI. The Touareg's backseat is significantly roomier than the prior generation, and the rear seats fold in one motion. Interior features include:

  • Sliding and reclining backseat
  • 6.5-inch touch-screen stereo


Under the Hood
Mechanical features include:

  • 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter gas V-6
  • 225-hp, turbo 3.0-liter diesel V-6
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission
  • Standard all-wheel drive


Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Antilock brakes
  • Side-impact airbags for the front seats
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Electronic stability system
  • Active front head restraints


Touareg Hybrid
The Touareg Hybrid combines a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with an electric motor for a combined 380 hp and 425 ...

Vehicle Overview

Positioned atop the VW lineup, the five-seat Touareg competes with luxury crossovers such as the Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and Lincoln MKX. It comes with a choice of three V-6 engines: a traditional gas V-6, a turbocharged diesel V-6 and a V-6 gas-electric hybrid drivetrain.

(Skip to details on the Touareg Hybrid)

New for 2012
The Touareg gains a standard six-CD touch-screen stereo system.

Exterior
The Touareg has a clean separation between its grille and front air dam, with Audi-like LEDs in the headlights and taillights. Exterior features include:

  • Chrome door accents
  • Stylish tailpipes


Interior
The Touareg's cabin is fairly conventional. Climate controls fall below a large center display screen, and the steering wheel adopts the same controls as those found in the Golf and GTI. The Touareg's backseat is significantly roomier than the prior generation, and the rear seats fold in one motion. Interior features include:

  • Sliding and reclining backseat
  • 6.5-inch touch-screen stereo


Under the Hood
Mechanical features include:

  • 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter gas V-6
  • 225-hp, turbo 3.0-liter diesel V-6
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission
  • Standard all-wheel drive


Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Antilock brakes
  • Side-impact airbags for the front seats
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Electronic stability system
  • Active front head restraints


Touareg Hybrid
The Touareg Hybrid combines a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with an electric motor for a combined 380 hp and 425 pounds-feet of torque. It can stay in electric mode for speeds up to 31 mph. Towing capacity is 7,700 pounds — far exceeding what its competitors, the hybrid Lexus RX 450h or Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid, can accommodate.

Rather than the electrically variable transmissions many hybrids employ, the Touareg Hybrid has a specialized version of the Touareg's eight-speed automatic. The hybrid battery pack resides under the cargo floor, so it doesn't compromise luggage room. That space would ordinarily go toward a spare tire; in lieu of one, the Touareg Hybrid has run-flat tires with a small repair kit. Back to top


View 6 Photos

Latest 2012 Touareg Stories

See all 2012 Volkswagen Touareg articles >

What Drivers Are Saying

4.0
21 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.2)
Performance
(4.1)
Interior Design
(4.1)
Comfort
(4.3)
Reliability
(3.7)
Value For The Money
(3.8)

Latest Reviews

(5.0)

Most reliable car I every owned

by Taishen from Iowa City, IA on March 19, 2018

This car is very suitable to drive in Iowa Winter. It has all wheel drive and can adapt all kinds of terrain. The seat can be warmed up so you won't feel cold in Winter. It has Bluetooth so you can ... Read full review

(4.0)

Volkswagon Touareg from an owners perspective.

by YoungDriver from Michigan on August 25, 2017

The Volkswagon Touareg provides a great combination of the sport and luxury feel into one. The seats are very comfortable but don't quite hold you like a sports car. The car is equipped with great, ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg currently has 2 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 Sport

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

Have Questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Touareg received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker