Volkswagen Touareg 2004, The Weekly Driver Review

It's named after a nomadic, hearty Saharan tribe withwheels.The electronically controlled permanent
the unusual-four-wheel drive, electronically
sounding name, TOUR-egg. Literally translated, theregulated shock absorbers and double wish-bone
word means "freesuspension
folk."So what better way to test drive the Touareg --enhanced the vehicle's nice road handling.The
the first SUV offered byTouareg's most intriguing feature is its three varying
Volkswagen -- than during an open-road, 400-milelocking
round-trip journey todifferentials that can offer up to 12 inches of ground
the famed Monterey Peninsula?Certainly, my chosenclearance
route south on Interstate 5 has long stretchesdepending upon road or off-round terrain surfaces.I
where anyone who enjoys the pleasures of drivinghad the standard differential engaged during my entire
can feel "free."But 30 miles into my journey, a sensorjourney, and
warning appeared on thethe Touareg didn't disappoint. It accelerated well and
console panel: "Defective tire on board."The samehandled lane
warning had also appeared sporadically during my firstmaneuvering and cornering nicely.On some ascents,
twothe vehicle was slightly underpowered and during
days with the vehicle in short, around-town treks. Along straight highway stretches, a windshield "whistle"
local Volkswageninterrupted an
dealer representative said many Touaregs haveotherwise quiet, smooth ride.My test Touareg also
suffered through thefeatured a nearly $6,500 options package,
same "growing pains."In short, owners noticing theincluding a navigation system ($2,650), an 11-speaker,
same warning have brought their new325-watt, 12-
vehicles to dealers with concern. But they've largelychannel audio system and a single CD changer
discovered nothing($2,200). Add leather
is wrong with the exception of an overly sensitiveand 12-way power seats, upgraded headlamps and a
computer system.In my instance, the warning quicklyrear differential
changed to a danger light: "Flatlock and the Touareg's price increased to a hefty
Tire." I stopped at freeway exit service station and$41,815.The audio system, while powerful, included a
examined whatcomplicated channel and
appeared to be four properly inflated tires.mode selection formula that can easily distract a
Nonetheless, I increased tiredriver with varying
pressure slightly in all of the tires, noted that themusical tastes. Volume and channel controls are also
warning and dangeravailable on the
lights disappeared and continued with my trip.Throughsteering wheel, near the controls for the easy-to-use
three more days mixed with city and freeway miles,cruise control.Considering its new position in the luxury
theSUV market, purchasers of the
warnings appeared and disappeared several times,Touareg are likely not in the market for fuel efficiency.
and I subsequentlyStill, the
read about the Touareg's first recall for a relatedmanufacturer's estimates of 15 mpg (city) and 20
problem with its Tire(mpg) highway didn't
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).Nonetheless, thehold true during my test week.After several days of
local dealer had assured me there wouldn't be adriving primarily highway miles, I refilled the tank
problem. And with that in mind, I began a steady, ifand calculated the mileage at disappointing 14.1
slow, study of ampg.2004 Volkswagen TouaregSafety features --
powerful vehicle that includes a multitude of innovation,Driver and front passenger (front, side and curtain)
a spaciousairbags and supplemental restraint system, three-point
interior, a comfortable ride and a sensory overload ofseatbelts (all
features.The Touareg I drove was equipped with aseating positions), child safety rear door locks, tire
3.2-liter, 24-valve, 220-pressure monitoring
horsepower V6 engine and had a base price ofsystem.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 15 mpg (city), 20
$34,900. The blue-silvermpg (highway)Warranty -- Warranty -- New car
exterior was nicely complemented with anlimited four years/50,000 miles;
anthracite-colored interior.The standard features listPowertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years
was long and included such unique offeringsunlimited miles.Price range -- $35,000 to $46,000.James
as five 12-volt power outlets, dual zone climate withRaia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif.,
rear vents, awho writes
multifunction trip computer and compass, a rechargingabout sports, fitness and business topics as well as
mini-flashlightthe free electronic
and power heatable exterior mirrors.Additional specialnewsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de
features included heatable driver and passengerFrance Times and The
seats, a powerglass sunroof and 17-inch alloyWeekly Driver, a car review column.