- suv 115,337
- Austin, TX
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- autoshopper.com
2004 volkswagen touareg review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Ready for the autobahn. Or hell's revenge. introductionwe weren't surprised to find refinement inside the comfortable cabin of the 2004 volkswagen touareg. After all, we expect refinement in a volkswagen, known for tautly finished interiors and keen attention to detail. What surprised and impressed us about the touareg was its stellar off-road capability. It turns out a volkswagen touareg can go pretty much anywhere. we witnessed this while driving through hell's revenge, a trail that weaves through sandy gullies and the not so slick rock near moab, utah. With its articulate suspension, sophisticated drive system, and advanced technology, the touareg gains the respect, if not the appreciation, of veteran off-road enthusiasts. In spite of this and in spite of its newness, it is instantly recognized as a volkswagen. Touareg boasts a brawny stance, yet shares styling cues with the upcoming phaeton luxury car and other future volkswagen models that give it a sophisticated, upscale appearance. the optional v8 engine, lifted from the superb new audi a8 l, delivers good acceleration performance, enhanced by a wonderful six-speed automatic transmission that smoothly selects exactly the right gearing for every situation. On the highway, the touareg provides a fairly smooth ride, though opting for the 19-inch wheels brings in some road vibration and noise. Touareg is no sports sedan, but handling is responsive for a heavy suv. Indeed, this is among the most comfortable of volkswagens with firm, supportive seats. measured more broadly, the touareg is among the best of the mid-size luxury suvs. What the touareg does not offer, however, is a third row of seats. The 3. 2-liter v6 is rated 220 horsepower, while the 4. 2-liter v8 boasts 310 horsepower. the v6 touareg comes standard with leatherette upholstery, eight-way adjustable seating, wood trim, power glass sunroof, dual-zone climatronic temperature control with rear seat controls, six-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic rain-sensor window wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels and many more items. Leather is optional. the v8 touareg comes standard with full leather 12-way power adjustable seating, 18-inch alloy wheels, and more luxury features. both feature a sophisticated permanent all-wheel-drive system with an electronic stability program (esp), adaptive torque distribution, a set of low-range gears, a locking center differential, and automatic hill-decent control. A locking rear differential 550) is available for both models. The system can also be controlled manually, raising the ride height for driving off road, lowering for high speeds, or kneeling down to let less-agile passengers in and out. options for both models include high-intensity discharge headlamps 750) and an electronic park assist 600), a useful system that alerts the driver to objects (or, sometimes, children) behind the car when backing up. A navigation system comes bundled with a sound system upgrade 2,350). Touareg senses when an accident has occurred and automatically unlocks the doors, disconnects the battery, and turns on the warning flashers. Add optional onstar and an operator will be alerted to send out the safety crews. Most important to safety are seat belts, which should always be worn, and touareg comes with three-point belts for all passengers including the rear-center position; the front belts are equipped with force-limiters to reduce injuries, while the rear belts have tensioners to enhance their effectiveness. walkaroundthe 2004 touareg looks like a volkswagen with its smooth, arched surfaces. It has a volkswagen face and rear end. Other volkswagen cues can be seen in the jeweled headlamps, the design of the hood and other features. If that isn't enough, the prominent vw badges leave no doubt. touareg looks brawny, though its true off-road capability isn't readily apparent. Its exterior styling is designed to make it look rugged yet refined, practical yet stylish. Its high ground clearance, large wheels, and the robust design of the wheel arches and bumpers are clues to its trail worthiness. Big air intakes in the lower bumper contrast with the upper radiator grille, which is shaped like that of a modern passenger car, contrast that hints at the touareg's dual role as off-road vehicle and luxury car. In the same theme, smooth, elegant surfaces above the beltline contrast with broad, rugged-looking side sills. Big exterior door handles look functional and are well designed and easy to grab. touareg is built on a unit-body chassis, like a car. It was designed to be a highly rigid structure (40 hz), so that it won't bend or twist even in the most tortuous off-road driving conditions. We were able to open and close the doors when the touareg was teetering on two or three wheels, an impressive feat considering volkswagen's tight fitment of body panels. This rigidity contributes to the touareg's ride comfort and high-speed stability. The doors are completely sealed when closed, providing a quiet cabin and allowing the touareg to ford up to 22 inches of standing water. like many suvs, the touareg features a two-stage rear hatch with a glass window that can be raised separately. It has a neat feature that many owners may never discover: the glass hatch can be hard for shorter people to reach when it's open. If this happens, simply raise the rear door. When they reconnect, the window clicks into the door. Rejoined as one unit, the hatch can then be closed as one unit. We were impressed with it when we first saw it at the north american international auto show at detroit, and volkswagen's craftsmanship in wood and leather impressed us again when we examined various models in detail. The interior elegantly combines robust dimensions with delicate details. those delicate details include rich materials: genuine burled walnut wood trim is standard, with vavona or myrtle wood available as an upgrade on the v8. We like both grades of leather, cricket and smooth nappa. Volkswagen officials were enthusiastic about the leatherette (vinyl) that's standard, but we have not seen it. The premium light-colored wood with tan leather is particularly attractive and the dark-colored wood is quite nice. The dash, door panels and other trim offer textures that appeal to the sense of touch. Chrome and brushed aluminum trim add elegance with a hint of technology. Everything seems perfectly tailored and fitted. the seats are excellent, supportive and comfortable, much better than most. I've found it sometimes takes time to get comfortable in some volkswagen seats, but i was immediately comfortable in the touareg. Larger derrieres may find the seats narrow, but they're wider than those in, say, a land rover discovery. visibility from the driver's seat is quite good, aided rearward by huge outside mirrors. All controls are easy to reach. The steering column tilts and telescopes manually; optional power adjustments make it easier to fine-tune the adjustments. The switchgear, climate control, audio controls, window lifts all feel smooth and sophisticated. Move the turn signal lever momentarily and the signals flash three times, handy for lane changes. Instruments are attractive and easy to read, big and clearly marked, using white-on-black graphics. robust climate controls make adjusting temperature quick and easy. The standard two-zone (with rear a/c) does an excellent job. Climate Control✔ Power Seats✔ Air Conditioning✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Navigation System✔ Alloy Wheels
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