Pros Entertaining to drive, ride is terrific regardless of wheel size, palatial interior with plenty of tech.
Cons Acceleration lags at city speeds, some practicality sacrificed for style, lower touchscreen controls are distracting.
Pros Spacious, high-end interior Powerful engine lineup Balanced ride and handling Mostly intuitive tech features
Cons Poor fuel economy High starting price
The name sounds odd, but the Touareg offers a comfortable ride and spirited performance—something we all can understand. Its 3.6-liter V-6 makes 280 hp and is mated to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The Touareg is large, comfortable, and solid—plus it’s equally at home both on and off the pavement. A standard touchscreen infotainment display is functional but dated; the optional adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking, however, are well engineered and effective.
PROS Comfortable, tech-laden interior Active safety functions 3.5 tonne towing, real off-road ability Ride on standard air suspension
CONS No seven-seat option Lacks a full-size spare tyre Expensive for a Volkswagen