2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI Lockhart TX

November 18, 2009   By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor



2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2

DriverSide Overview
The EPA's creation of Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards, first required in a few states such as California, severely restricts the amount of particulate matter and pollutants that come out of a vehicle's tailpipe. Unable to meet these tough standards with their previously available diesels, automakers like Volkswagen and BMW went back to the drawing board – engineering new ‘clean’ diesels that perform ever better than the last generation of oil burners. With engine modifications, new diesel particulate filters and a urea-based system that makes unhealthy NOx emissions transform into a drizzle of environmentally friendly nitrogen and water, the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI easily satisfies the EPA's 50-state requirements. And, to satisfy owners, it gets 25 mpg on the highway while delivering 407 lb-ft of torque with its turbocharged 3.0-liter engine. Power and economy, who knew?








What's to Like
All the comfort and standard features found in a gas-powered Touareg, but with a 25 percent increase in fuel economy. An unfussy and well-designed interior is upscale and meets luxury vehicle standards set by Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

What's Not to Like
The small turbocharger is great for providing incredible, low-end power, but the torque drops off quickly at the top of the powerband, leaving the Touareg struggling at times. The navigation system doesn't have the most intuitive menu, and there is a steep learning curve for finding the correct commands.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
An SUV with a V-6 under the hood doesn’t usually grab people’s attention; it's been done many times over, and not always with great results. However, add a turbocharger and a common-rail clean diesel engine and things become a little more interesting. Gone is the stereotypical rumble and black smoke of a diesel engine. Instead, acceleration in the Touareg V6 TDI is strong and fluid, breezing through the revs until about 4,000 rpm when the turbo’s power ultimately gives way. But this being an SUV, it doesn't matter much. What’s more important is that the steering is perfectly direct and, thanks to the four-wheel drive, the Touareg feels as sure-footed at 25 mph as it does at 75. Though, the window seals aren't as impressively stable during those speeds, and air whistles past the passenger side’s A-pillar.

Engine and Drivetrain
To move its sizable mass, the Touareg employs a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with common-rail direct injection. Its 221 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque can tow up to 7,700 pounds, and it has low range gear to accompany its permanent four-wheel drive. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual mode and a sport function, matching many of the competitors' offerings.

Interesting Vehicle Features ...

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