The Detroit News's view

Even with flaws, Volkswagen SUV shines

Volkswagen’s first modern sport-utility vehicle — we don’t count the World War II-inspired Iltis, sold in North America as The Thing — is a marvel of German engineering and craftsmanship.

The all-new 2004 VW Touareg is a sister vehicle to the Porsche Cayenne and, it should be noted, is assembled in Bratislava, Slovakia. More to the point, it gives the German auto giant a powerful entry in the luxury-SUV segment.

Prices start at around $35,000. We tested a V-6 model equipped with several expensive option packages and a bottom line of $44,115.

HE: I have to admit I’m not fond of the exterior design, but there is no mistaking the new Touareg is a Volkswagen, at least from the front or the rear. Imagine a Passat wagon on steroids, and you pretty much get the picture. The Touareg shines in several respects, notably its gorgeous cabin, its prodigious off-road capability and, finally, its air suspension, a $2,300 option that endows this heavy, body-on-frame SUV with the more cushioned ride of a car-based crossover.

SHE: I think the Touareg is a landmark, five-star product for VW. And I also think you’re off-base on the design. It looks authoritative to me, with a strong family resemblance to the rest of the VW line, kind of like the Volvo XC90 and how it relates to its siblings. VW seems like it is finally growing up with its customers. And as a longtime VW owner, I’m very impressed with the results, based on my experience in the Touareg. During the week we tested it, we really used the Touareg as many families would, traveling to a funeral, picking up Halloween pumpkins and going to the movies.

HE: I’m just hoping you can explain all those bruises on the pumpkin.

SHE: Well, a minor flaw in our vehicle was the lack of a cargo net. So it was more like a basketball, rolling around in that big cargo bay.

HE: The reason the Touareg has all that room, plus plenty of space for up to five occupants, is the lack of an optional third-row seat. That could be a dealbreaker that could drive potential customers to competing models, such as the XC90. I’m more concerned, though, by the base V-6 engine, which is a middling 3.2 liters and makes 220 horsepower. That’s OK in a mid-size family sedan. In an oversize off-roader that weighs more than 5,000 pounds, it’s simply unacceptable. Acceleration can be a heart-stopping experience, especially if you’re trying to merge into swift traffic from a freeway on-ramp. The solution, unfortunately, is to shell out even more money for the 4.2-liter V-8, which makes 310 horsepower and 302 pounds-feet of torque. Or better still, wait another year for the incredible 5.0-liter V-10 turbo-diesel. Want torque? How about 550 pounds-feet?

SHE: You’re downplaying the Touareg’s strong points — one of the sexiest cabins in the SUV segment, a luxury-sedan ride and superb safety features. I wa s entranced by the subtle ambient lighting that bathes the cabin in a warm, pleasant glow. The cabin looks like it was decorated by someone with exquisite taste, using such rich materials as matte aluminum, leather and walnut. With the optional air suspension, you don’t feel like you’re riding in a truck. And front and rear occupants are protected by standard side air bags and side air curtains. VW also equips the all-wheel-drive Touareg with standard antilock brakes, traction control and stability control, as well as a tire-pressure monitor. I can’t think of anything they’ve forgotten in the safety area.

HE: The Touareg strikes me as a vehicle of extremes and contradictions. I’ve tested several variations in some rough terrain over in Europe, and the off-road capability is just as remarkable as its road-holding and ride quality on the highway. But we were annoyed by small things, like steering that felt too heavy at low speeds, especially when negotiating tight corners, an four-wheel disc brakes that felt too grabby at the end of the pedal. The cabin is sumptuous, but an abundance of dials and switches seems overwhelming to newcomers, and the optional navigation system is overly complex and not intuitive. In short, the Touareg is darn good — but it’s not perfect. And I’m not sure the V-6 model, as equipped, is worth $44,000 — especially with a VW rather than an Audi badge.

SHE: Sorry, I’m thrilled that VW is finally giving me more choices, plus a way to grow with the brand. What you should really be concerned about is the day I decide to come home with the new $70,000 Volkswagen Phaeton sedan. But you still have a couple of months to talk me out of that purchase.