Comparison - Volkswagen Touareg V6 Executive 2017 - vs - Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2016

Although it might be sold alongside pedestrian Jettas, the Volkswagen Touareg looks and feels nearly like a full-on luxury SUV at a (slightly) cut-rate price.

The Touareg is attractive inside and out, but it is very conservative and cautious.

With just one engine on offer, Touareg is down on power compared to rivals. However, it rides and handles very well.

The Touareg's interior is a massive step above other VWs, but not quite luxury-grade.

Expanded availability of Touareg's collision avoidance tech is a plus, but it has not been tested by NHTSA.

Although it lacks some things buyers might expect at this price, the VW Touareg impresses with an overall high-end feel.

At just 19 mpg combined, VW's Touareg pales against many rivals.

Pros
Over-engineered feel inside and out
Composed, refined driving experience
Rarity; you won't see yourself coming or going

Cons
Mercedes money, VW warranty
Light on high-tech options
No third row

The only thing missing from the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is a luxury badge. If you appreciate a well-crafted cabin and lots of convenience and luxury features, you'll surely enjoy the Touareg. But this level of refinement doesn't come cheap

The 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is largely unchanged, though the base Sport trim level gets the previously optional Technology package as standard equipment this year. Also, the previous Lux trim level is now referred to as the Wolfsburg Edition.

The 2017 Volkswagen Touareg's V6 engine can feel strained during hard acceleration, and many rival crossovers are notably quicker. On the bright side, the eight-speed automatic transmission provides almost imperceptible upshifts along with responsive downshifts on demand. In general, the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is pretty enjoyable to drive. It has responsive steering with plenty of road feel, and it stays stable and secure when you're going around turns. Luckily, none of this means it's uncomfortable on the highway. It's also quiet, smooth and confident over bumpy roads, all of which contribute to its luxury feel.

The Touareg is similarly competent off-road thanks to a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. That system makes up for most of the capability gap with competitors that have traditional low-range gearing. With a respectable amount of ground clearance and a compliant suspension, the Touareg powers over washboard roads and light-duty trails without breaking a sweat.

Pros
Classy interior is near-luxury; impressive handling when going around turns; high towing capacity could be useful for large trailers; huge amount of standard features

Cons
Pricier than the typical crossover SUV; no third-row seat available; limited cargo capacity; unremarkable performance from V6 engine.

The 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is the German brand's flagship SUV, but its $50,000 starting price makes it as awkward a fit in its segment as its name is to pronounce (try "tour-egg"). Ostensibly this 5-passenger SUV is more luxurious than a Ford Edge or Jeep Grand Cherokee but not quite as fancy as a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE or even its cousins the Audi Q5 and Q7, and Porsche Cayenne. In reality, we'd recommend just about any competitor over the Touareg. This VW SUV has much going against it beyond a high price and aging platform. The Touareg's brightest aspect -- a strong and efficient diesel engine -- is gone due to VW's emissions-cheating scandal, leaving a tired and overburdened V6 as its only motivation.

A year after the hybrid powertrain was put out to pasture, the once-loved diesel option is gone, too, in the wake of VW's scandal. Base models get active safety features and driving aids like active cruise control, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The mid-trim Wolfsburg model replaces the Lux trim.

Pros
Reasons to buy a Touareg in light of far better rivals are few. But this VW does offer some premium appeal and active safety features even in its base model, and there's no arguing that it is ruggedly handsome and offers confident traction on snow and dirt thanks to its full-time all-wheel-drive system.

Cons
The Touareg offers only one engine, and its $50,000-plus starting price is hardly a value. You can do far better in everything ranging from a Ford Edge or Lincoln MKX to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lexus RX or Mercedes-Benz GLE.