PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
The Hellcat-powered Durango is all-new for 2021. However, the hugely powerful SUV is only scheduled for a single year of production. While the company pulled a similar move with the highly hyped and limited-edition Challenger SRT Demon, we hope strong sales and enthusiast interest will prolong this devilish Durango's life.
PROS A three-row SUV with 700-plus horses, as quick as a 797-hp Hellcat Challenger, surprisingly deft handling for its size.
CONS Precipitous price tag, miserable fuel economy, omnipresent supercharger whine can get annoying.
PROS Stupefying acceleration and speed Excellent infotainment system Theatrical exhaust sounds
CONS Novelty can wear off in day-to-day use Frightening fuel consumption Still feels outdated
Pros Large touchscreen tech interface is one of the best in class Strong V8s provide exceptional towing ability Real off-road capabilities with 4WD and low-range gearing
Cons Fuel economy is below average, especially with the V8s Many of the latest advanced driver safety features don't come standard Bigger and bulkier to drive than rival crossover SUVs
