2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 Consumer Reviews

We love our new Touareg!

Written by: TTpilot on 11/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 V8 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

We were looking at the Nissan Murano and Lincoln MKX before picking up our Touareg at a staggering discount in October. (Basically, we got a brand-new loaded V8 Touareg for the price of a medium-level Murano AWD or MKX AWD.) The interior quality is first-rate, with high quality materials, and fit and finish that is really precise. The sound system produces very clear, crisp sound. The Touareg drives very comfortably and smoothly, and steers precisely. It's a vast improvement over the 1997 Chevy Tahoe we bought it to replace. The earlier Touaregs had a reputation for mediocre reliability, especially with the electrical system, so I'm hoping VW fixed the problems with this updated Touareg 2.

Favorite Features

Love the air suspension, heated seats, four-zone A/C control, the headlights that turn with the car. . . I could go on and on. We are still discovering great little options we didn't even realize it had when we bought it. Also, it manages to look rugged and elegant at the same time.

Suggested Improvements

Easy to complain about the Touareg's less-than- Prius-like fuel economy, but this IS a solid vehicle! (It gets slightly better fuel economy than our old 5.7L Tahoe, but produces 100 more horsepower!) It could really use Bluetooth as standard, and a simple 3.5 mm auxiliary input jack for the stereo.

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Amazing Treg

Written by: Vorsprung on 10/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

An amazing ride. Pick up, even on the V6, is fast & amazingly smooth. The lines are beautiful yet beefy, seriously fat tires without upgrading to 18 or 19 inch wheels. The lux package is a must, lights that turn with the wheels, side headlamp spots that turn on when turning left or right. The interior is just like Emirate Airways, or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. The double french stitching, ambient lighting, the texture of the leather dash, walnut and brushed metal trim, the stereo system, lumbar supported seats, deep window sills make driving a pleasure again. This is an utterly awesome car, you really have to test drive one to fully appreciate it, do it at night, you'll be truly blown away!

Favorite Features

Lumber support, the texture of the leather trim, the walnut dash, the ambient lighting at night, headlamps that turn with the wheels, the complete smoothness of the ride on any road surface, the deep window sills, the layout of the center console, and the parking sensors both front and rear.

Suggested Improvements

Raise the steering wheel a little to accommodate the tall folks, put in a conventional handbrake, the foot brake is way too 'FORD! ' Allow the rear seats to recline and move forward and back. It would be great to use the cargo space as added legroom.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Tire wear

Written by: da fonz on 09/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Be prepared to replace the tires on this vehicle approximately every 20,000 miles due to the weight of the vehicle and possibly to its design. Volkswagen however does not bear any responsibility for the unusual tire (camber) wear.

Favorite Features

Nice looking vehicle

Suggested Improvements

Giving consumers a heads up to the fact that it wears out tires quickly

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Amazing

Written by: Mike on 08/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Amazing on road and off road: This is truly a hidden secret from the American public. A true road car in the German tradition plus a beast off road. This midsize suv is the weight of a full size American truck. The 6 cylinder is reasonable power for all duties and will politely utilize 19.7 MPG on the highway at plus 65 MPH. Giving in to conservation you can get 21 MPG easily. The off road ride quality is one of the best. Trim and finish are what you expect in a fine German product. This suv is a dressed down Porche "C" not a dressed up Toyota. It is too much suv for the grocery but the right choice for the professional who has business off road as in RE development, engineering etc.

Favorite Features

Handling, ride, mileage are the best for the money. Low rollover problen, I have traveled across a 30% grade with rocks and loose gravel without concern in a quiet ride. Sound systen is balanced, as is the climate control, power tail gate is super.

Suggested Improvements

Sell more of them to business people who need this suv. Make the suspension adjustment option standard.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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2008 Touareg 2

Written by: TOUAREG on 08/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I love my touareg. However at the countryside dealership, the service has been horrible! I could not believe how rude some of the customer service people have been. I wish I had bought the suv at some other place. I have had problems with the fuel gauge, the seat belt cracked piece broke off. So far. However, my friend told me once you buy a German or Japanese vehicle you will never go back to anything else. I got the fully loaded v6 edition. Thanks to edmunds, I got the touareg at cost. The ride is smooth I have the Sirius radio and is the best option ever.

Favorite Features

I love it get the fully loaded one and don't spend the extra 5k on the V8 not worth it. Drove it for a week not the same. I travel a lot on long distances, and it is awesome to relax in.Also, i was able to purchase the hands free keyless remote, best dam thing that was ever invented.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe go get a turbo because its so under power, or lighten the load somehow,the engine is so underpowered. Also to let people that the 2008 touareg ipod adapter doesn't work. I bought the thing for 300, and waited over 3 hours to tell me that the German engineers didn't make one only for the 2004-2007

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Love this SUV

Written by: Susan on 06/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I looked at several other SUVs and this was the best buy without a doubt. I love it, it is fun to drive and I am impressed with the fuel economy.

Favorite Features

The rest button that keeps the cabin warm in the winter and the automatic liftgate. I absolutely love both of these features. I also love the keyless start and 4 zone climate control.

Suggested Improvements

Bluetooth should come standard since the feature is standard in many other vehicles.

4 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Great suv to have

Written by: Fred on 02/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I test drove Touareg 2, Volvo XC90, and other SUVs, Touareg is really fun to drive. I wanted to buy the V8 model in the beginning, however after I tried VR6, I found its performance is amazing even on the high way. It's also very easy to control, even at the sharp corner. It consumes gas a lot, but remember, this is a 5000+ lbs solid suv, not a 1500 lbs hybrid japanese car. It's a must to test drive suv.

Favorite Features

The corner head lights when making a turn.

Suggested Improvements

Cargo capacity is not enough.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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My best SUV yet!

Written by: Alex on 12/13/2007

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have owned several SUVs, Honda CR-V, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Murano and the Touareg is the best SUV I have owned so far. The 3.6L engine works fine even if we wish it had just a little more power and the 6 speed automatic is a charm. The back is roomier than the Jeep Grand Cherooke. When I purchased this vehicle, I was also considering the Honda Pilot, Jeep GC, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X3. I finally opted for the touareg because it's fun to drive, the 4WD is phenomenal in snow and the back window is straight so you don't loose 50% of the trunk space with the back window that is at a 45 degreee angle.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive! Lots of room in the trunk. Wood trim + beige leather seat are amazing.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel economy is so so. It could have the same system as Dodge's MDS. I average 18-21 mpg on the HWY and about 14 mpg in tow.

23 out 25 people found this review helpful

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Midsize Contender

Written by: Doug on 11/26/2007

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

After looking at Lexus, X5, Cayane, MDX, and the Audi. The Touareg is the smartest choice! VW did the right thing on adding the much needed horse power to the SUV, and the interior is nice and functional. VW is great but I would recommed the extended if you will keep for more than 5 years.

Favorite Features

I love the aluminum trim, 19" wheels, exterior and interior design, standard sunroof. Capable towing capacity, leatherette does well.

Suggested Improvements

Features that are expected for a 40k price tag -> Bluetooth, iPod dock, satellite radio. Nav system needs fine tuning. Wood trim needs desperate attention.

16 out 17 people found this review helpful

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Lives up to expectations

Written by: Beefoe on 10/13/2007

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 VR6 FSI 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Have driven my Touareg 2 around 2500 miles, mostly highway, and I'm very happy with the car. It has plenty of power and unless you're towing a boat, you probably don't need the V8. Styling is great, interior is clean and functional and overall fit and finish are flawless. Gas mileage has been 19-20 and 26 gallon gas tank comes in handy. Ride is very much softer than other SUVs I've had (Pathfinder, Rodeo) and certainly much softer than my A4 so if you're expecting a tight German ride you won't get it in a Touareg. Power steering is kind of overpowered, like a Ford pick-up, but I think they do this for off-road capabilities. If this is going to bug you, maybe look at the Cayenne.

Favorite Features

Overall styling. Dual climate control. Rain sensing wipers. Directional headlights. 19" wheels. Tire pressure monitoring.

Suggested Improvements

An iPod dock should be standard. Funky deflated spare tire. The spare tire comes deflated and they give you an electric pump to fill it up which just seems like an extra unnecessary step. Couldn't they have just found space for an inflated spare?

24 out 25 people found this review helpful

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