VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI

What is it?

This is the all-new VW Touareg that we’re testing for the first time in the UK. Like the previous model it was jointly developed with the Porsche Cayenne, with which it shares a large number of mechanicals. The two cars have very different characters, however, and look different visually.

So similar to the Porsche, the new Touareg is all-new and comes promising superior quality, superior on-road ability and performance boosts, coupled with economy improvements brought about by useful weight savings over the outgoing model.

See test pics of the VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI in action

It doesn’t get some of the Cayenne’s mighty V8 petrol engines though, even if the same V6 petrol hybrid system is on the roster.

The two diesel options, both going through eight-speed autos, will be the mainstays, though: an Audi-sourced 4.2-litre V8 turbodiesel and the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel tested here.

What’s it like?

In truth, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where you wouldn’t be satisfied with the V6 diesel over the other two engines.

Its 38.2mpg average fuel consumption, helped along by a standard stop-start system, compares well with the hybrid’s 34.5mpg. For a two-tonne car it feels usefully fast too, being smooth and punchy right through the rev-range.

The eight-speed auto ‘box also has brilliantly judged ratios, aiding and abetting the Touareg’s overtaking ability and flexibility around town. Plus the stop-start system is one of the most seamless we’ve tried.

Current Touareg owners will notice a mite more agility in this one and better steering precision, but if carving through corners is a priority, then a Cayenne or BMW X5 will serve you better.

Sadly, the VW’s trade-off isn’t a superior ride quality. Even with our test car’s standard 18-inch alloys, it didn’t take too much of Britain’s broken tarmac to send jiggles and ripples into the cabin, but at least it feels well tied down over large undulations.

One of the downsides of VW procreating the Touareg with Porsche is that there is no seven-seat option, fast becoming the norm for large SUVs. Still, if you can live with five perches there’s plenty of space.

The luggage compartment is as generous and usable as in any family estate and rear seats tilt and slide forward to allow even more kit to be stowed.

Up front, the driving position and comfort is blameless, too. You’d recognise most of the controls and switchgear from the Golf, mind you, which does make the fascia look rather dowdy. But there’s little debate that it feels of a high enough quality even in a £40k car. It’s also easy to use.

If you’ve got any aspirations to take the new Touareg off-road you’ll be needing the £39,505 V6 TDI Escape model. This is the only version which comes with a two-speed transfer box, with a beefed-up casing to prevent it being clouted.

What’s more, it has fully locking centre and rear diffs and a five-stage control for the four-wheel drive system. All other models make do with hill descent assist and a control that switches ABS, and stability control to off-road settings.