Volkswagen Touareg SUV (2010-2018) - Engines, drive & performance

Comfort was a high priority when Volkswagen designed the Touareg, so if you want an SUV that offers driving thrills, the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne are both better options.

The car’s sole 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine comes in two versions, one offering 201bhp and the other 258bhp. It’s quiet enough no matter how much you push it and the Touareg has plenty of grip, so it feels stable enough going around corners.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox (there's no manual option) is smooth and keeps you humming along in the right gear. All Touaregs are four-wheel drive, all the time.

If you want the most comfortable ride, then avoid R Line trim, because that increases the wheel size from 19 to 20 inches and as a result it doesn’t cope as well with bumps. Air suspension is also available as an option.

Volkswagen Touareg diesel engines

If you want the quickest VW Touareg, then the top-of-the-range 262bhp model is surprisingly fast, with 0-62mph taking just 7.3 seconds. However, both 3.0-litre diesel engines suit the Touareg perfectly and offer more than enough power for everyday driving. The 201bhp version goes from 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds.

In comparison, even the slowest Porsche Cayenne gets from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds (using the same 258bhp engine). But you can also choose a 3.6-litre V6 petrol Cayenne that does 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds – as well as powerful diesels and a hybrid.

Petrol engines

The VW Touareg is not currently offered with any petrol engines. Furthermore, the Hybrid and V8 diesel models were dropped in 2014, so if you want a truly fast or sporty SUV, then you'll need to consider the BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne.