KEY POINTS:
During my week with Volkswagen's substantially uprated Touareg off-roader, it dawned on me that I must be developing a teeny bit of a social and environmental conscience. The big wagon, fitted with the new (to Volkswagen, at least) 4.2-litre direct-injection V8, averaged 18.8 litres per 100km during a few days of around-town driving. Even if you could afford that - and at a purchase price of $134,900, you probably can - don't tell me it wouldn't irk you, having to hang around your local BP so much.
It didn't irk me. It bothered me, and not just for the obvious reason I am a journalist and therefore quite poor. It bothered me because you're not really getting a lot for your money with the V8 - it sounds glorious when you bury the throttle in the carpet and can push on to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.
But what that great big engine is doing most of the time is simply pushing 2.5 tonnes of big, lollopy off-roader around. Hence the alarming figures appearing on the trip computer between work and the school run.
I've no problem with a heavy thirst from a sports sedan or coupe, or even a big off-roader that's a truly entertaining drive. But the Touareg is not a vehicle to drive fast, which is not supposed to be a criticism, because it does give you warm fuzzies in lots of other ways.
It's a handsome, beautifully constructed and lavishly equipped luxury wagon that also happens to be rather good off-road if you have the inclination (adjustable-height air suspension is standard on the V8). But the Touareg is also vague in the steering and soft in the suspension, which makes it a cruiser first and foremost, a comfy family carryall second and a driver's car about 13th or 14th.
In the proper context, the Touareg is a deeply impressive vehicle. But in the absence of any performance or sporting pretensions, it seems wasteful to opt for the V8 petrol version when there are more sensible choices available - such as the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel variant. This has a more relaxed power delivery that's more suited to the big, compliant Touareg, 60Nm more torque on tap and will sip a full three litres less fuel per 100km than the V8, according to the official figures. I'd argue the difference will be much greater around town.
