Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

New car reviews » 2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI

Better than: a smelly diesel truck
But not as good as: a SportWagen TDI, maybe
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 29.82  

My, how VW has grown up. The company that gave us the Beetle, Rabbit and Karmann Ghia now has a full lineup that features something for just about every taste—including those who like to roll in an SUV.

The Touareg made its debut for the 2002 model year and received a face-lift for 2007. Starting with the 2009 model year, the mid-sized SUV is available with VW’s Clean Diesel technology. What does that mean? We now get way less emissions—VW says 97 percent less sulfur content—plus a 90-percent drop in sooty emissions.

The Clean Diesel technology works by injecting something called AdBlue—synthetic urea, more or less—into the exhaust stream. The AdBlue helps convert the exhaust’s nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water. The result: less harmful emissions combined with strong performance. Its turbo 3.0-liter engine produces 225 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque.

If this is a glimpse of the future, color us intrigued.

Other staff views:

David S. Wallens Editorial Director:

Neat. The TDI-equipped VW doesn’t act, smell or sound like a diesel. That turbo-diesel torque is still present, but everything else about the driving experience says otherwise.

Personally, I can’t wait to try this package in something a bit more car-like. A Golf or Jetta with this engine would shred some tires and in theory post solid economy numbers. Okay, world, let’s have at it.

As for the rest of the car (truck?), if I had to drive a small SUV, I could be happy with this. It’s comfortable, roomy and definitely quick enough. The interior controls are a bit bland, but they do go with the usual VW theme.

Reader comments:

  1. Turbonutter: — Feb 12, 2010 1:45 p.m.

    Looked interesting right up until the $45k asking price.

  2. huge-O-chavez: — Feb 20, 2010 7:10 p.m.

    I drove the Audi version. Boy that TDI is awesome. There is torque for weeks. It is very refined and makes the Cummins ram’s and Powerstrokes, I used to work on, seem like ancient technology. I wish I could afford one.

  3. Dav: — Feb 21, 2010 9:13 a.m.

    5300 lbs?! How can something so small weigh so much? That is close to what my monstrous full-size pickup weighs.

2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Specs:

Drivetrain Layout:
Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
Engine:
3.0 liter V-6
Horsepower:
225 bhp
Torque:
406 lb.-ft
Transmission:
automatic
Brakes:
(front)
(rear)
Weight:
5304 pounds
Price:
Base: $45150

Staff Ratings:

Stock Performance:
***1/2
Performance Potential:
**1/2
Daily Driver Manners:
****1/2
Fit and Finish:
****1/2
Overall:
***1/2

Save & Share:

What's this?

If you're reading this, you've probably seen these odd links with funny names somewhere on the site and want to know what they're all about. Well, prepare to feel a bit more Net savvy. Those links are what the geeks call "social networks."

Social networking sites allow you to store and share links and pages across the Internet. It's like taking your bookmarks list and being able to see it from any computer.

Even better, social networks allow you to steer friends, relatives, colleagues and pretty much anyone else to the cool stuff you've found, so they have something better to do online than watching the skateboarding squirrel video on YouTube for the thirtieth time. You're making the world a better place.

The only catch is that while all the social networks are free, you do have to register. Each site has a slightly different focus, so take a look through the links and see which service suits you best.