V8 Touareg ticks all the boxes

SUV: An acronym I’ve been struggling to get to grips with for some time now.

Sport Utility Vehicle, that implies a utilitarian vehicle… that’s sporty, yet SUVs are often three ton behemoths with small four or six cylinder motors that struggle to propel these lumps of steel forwards; let’s not even mention their cornering prowess, or lack thereof.

Now you’re starting to see my gripe with the description, but again, zose pezky Germans are at it again. Q7, ML63 and the like all aim to prove that utilitarian vehicles can be sporty as well.

One issue however, as utilitarian vehicles, they are pretty shoddy.

Meet the trend setter, the Volkswagen Touareg 4.2 V8 TDI.

Adorned with the N$40 000 optional R Line styling package, it’s clear the new Touareg means business. This is one mean looking SUV far removed from the girly soccer mommy previous generation. Square headlights with DRL give the Touareg a butch appearance while the chrome grill that runs between the two breaks the monotony of the black trim. The facia is not unlike that of the Golf 7, but we feel the look works much better on the Touareg. The R Line package adds a few visual upgrades to further toughen up the appearance. The rear end has also seen a few much needed tweaks to the previous generation, again, fairly similar to the design of the Golf 7.

No complaints here.

The trim and finish is superb and oozes masculinity.

The interior is typical Volkswagen. Great finish, solid materials and superb fit, if a little bland. A few chrome trim pieces do little to break the sea of black plastic and leather adorning every surface of the Touareg interior. It’s the little things that count though, dual centre arms rests in the front, an uncluttered centre console and easy to reach window controls are all testament to VW’s ability to please its customers.

Head and legroom is fairly decent for both front and rear occupants while the driving position is spot on. The speedo cluster is clear and easy to read and so too are the less important controls like climate control. Wind and road noise is well controlled as expected for that luxury SUV ambiance that the Germans are so famous for.

The 250kw, yes, 250 kilowatt V8 diesel potter, (which replaces the gasoline pig V10) is pure madness (800Nm in case you don’t believe me) and rockets the Touareg from standstill to 100 in 5,8 seconds.

The Touareg employs VW’s own 4motion system, which gives the Touareg permanent four wheel drive. Body roll is minimal thanks to its short sway bars, but this has a negative effect on articulation unfortunately. It does corner unbelievably well, but you need to be very brave to push the V8 model to its limits. It is likely that the driver will run out of talent before the Touareg runs out of ability.

Sport? Check.

It’s also highly underrated as an off-road vehicle. It has 300mm ground clearance with the optional air suspension package, 24 degree approach angle, tyre pressure monitor, electronic lockers and hill descent control. Class leading towing capacity as well, 3,5 tons.

Utility? Check.

The V8 Touareg ticks all the boxes, sporty, useful, fantastic looking and solidly built. It’s the closest a vehicle comes to the true meaning of SUV. While other vehicles in its class focus on blistering performance, the Touareg aims to excel in each department and does so with flying colours.

Did we mention that it’s significantly cheaper than the competition as well?

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