2012 Volkswagen Touareg

The 2012 Touareg hasn't changed from last year, including Volkswagen's excellent engine lineup. A 280-hp 3.6L V6 gasoline engine powers the base Sport, Lux and Exec Touareg and gets 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

The TDI Touareg utilizes a 3.0L turbocharged V6 Clean Diesel engine, also available in Sport, Lux and Exec trims. The engine makes 225 hp and gets 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. It uses AdBlue urea additive to reduce emissions by up to 90%. Towing capacity is rated at an impressive 7700 lbs.

The Touareg hybrid uses a 3.0L supercharged V6 gasoline engine alongside an electric motor. Together, they produce 380 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, and yet achieve 25 mpg combined. The transmission disengages from the engine, which shuts off when the driver releases the gas pedal, allowing the vehicle to coast without using any power. It can drive up to 30 mph using only electricity, and it uses regenerative braking to keep the batteries charged and start-stop technology to save fuel. The hybrid comes in one trim, equipped very similarly to the Exec model.

An aluminum double-wishbone suspension makes the Touareg very light weight and thus quite responsive. Safety systems include anti-slip regulation, anti-lock brakes, auto-hold and hill-hold assist and stabilization control.

All Touaregs feature an 8-speed automatic transmission. The base Sport model comes with 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon HID headlamps, fog lamps, LED tail lights, remote power liftgate, an 8-speaker stereo, 8-way power-adjustable heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry and dual-zone climate control.

The Lux trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, heated power-adjustable mirrors, navigation with a rearview camera, leather seat material, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, wood dash trim and power rear seat releases.

The Exec trim upgrades the wheels to 20-inch and the stereo is an audiophile Dynaudio system. The keyless entry is upgraded to a KESSY proximity entry system.
The 2012 Touareg is virtually unchanged from the 2011 model.
Diesel, hybrid, and gasoline engine options; 8-speed transmission and all-wheel drive; improved interior insulation and acoustics
Hybrids and off-roading rarely are available in the same package, so the segment is not very broad. The Volkswagen Touareg hybrid provides a way to reduce one's environmental footprint and still enjoy off-road capability for $8,000 cheaper than a Porsche Cayenne.

The TDI Touareg is no slouch for fuel economy-- it is capable of 28 mpg on the highway and makes over 400 lb-feet of torque and features the same off-road capability and 7700 lbs of towing ability for less than $47,000.