New for 2015
There are a handful of small changes for 2015, including refreshed exterior styling with standard Bi-Xenon headlights and LED taillights, newly available driver assistance features, some interior upgrades, and new wheel designs.
An SUV, and a Volkswagen
The 2015 Touareg is a far cry from Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle, but it features the same design sensibility the German brand is known for. There’s an emphasis on efficiency not only in the available gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains, but also the clean design and ergonomic interior.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg is offered with three distinct powertrain options that really cover all of the bases.
The first option is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. All Touareg models feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. With the gasoline V6, that configuration is good for an EPA-rated 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway).*
Volkswagen is also a big proponent of diesel engines, so the Touareg can be had with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 as well. Part of VW’s well-known TDI range, it produces 240 hp and a mighty 406 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway).*
Finally, there’s the Touraeg Hybrid. This model gets a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and an electric motor. They produce a combined 380 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque when running together. The electric motor gets its power from a 1.7-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack mounted beneath the luggage floor.
Like many hybrids, the Touareg features limited all-electric driving capability and regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack, but it’s also got a few more tricks.
When the driver releases the throttle, a special clutch disengages the engine, allowing the car to “coast” with it shut down. There’s also an engine start-stop system, which shuts down the engine while stationary at a stoplight or similar situation, and restarts it the instant the driver touches the throttle.
The result is EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway).*
Features and Trims
The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg is a five-door, five-seat midsize SUV. It’s available in four trim levels, with prices starting at 44,705.**
Starting with the base Sport model, the Touareg comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System, V-Tex seating surfaces, power driver and passenger seats, iPod connectivity, and LED taillights. A half-step up from the Sport, the Sport w/Technology trim adds a power liftgate, keyless access, Side Assist, and a towing package.
Building on the Sport and Sport w/Technology models, the Lux incorporates all of its standard features, and adds 19-inch wheels, wood interior trim, leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and Park Distance Control.
Moving further up the range is the Executive V6, which incorporates all of the standard features from the previous models, and adds 20-inch wheels, stainless steel pedals and scuff plates, 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system, heated steering wheel and rear seats, and Area View exterior camera system.
Finally, the Touareg Hybrid constitutes its own trim level, and is considered the flagship of the Touareg range. It features the hybrid powertrain, naturally, plus most of the features from the Executive V6 model, but with 19-inch wheels and a standard Driver Assistance Package with electronic safety systems.
Exterior/Interior
The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg adapts familiar Volkswagen styling cues to the body of a large high-riding SUV quite well.
At the front, the 2015 model features a revised fascia with a four-bar chrome grille and redesigned Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. The sides are defined by clean, horizontal lines like those on many recent VW models, while at the back the Touareg features reshaped LED taillights and a cleaner rear bumper design.
The interior is just as clean as the exterior, with LED lighting, a three-spoke steering wheel, and available 8-inch central display. It’s spacious too, boasting 36.9 inches of rear legroom, and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench seat that allows for 32 cubic feet of cargo space when up, and 64 cubic feet when folded.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, Hill Descent Assist, a rollover sensor system, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and a full array of airbags.
In addition, the optional Driver Assistance Package includes lane-change assist, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Touareg buyers can also specify Volkswagen’s Area View external camera system and Park Distance Control.
Bottom Line
The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg is a rugged SUV built with the sensibility VW is known for.
Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template to schedule a test drive.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
**Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the vehicle and options chosen by you. These prices do not include transportation, taxes, title, other options, dealer installation costs, or other dealer charges.
Image: Volkswagen
