Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid 3.0 V6 Review: Jolly green giant

What we like:

Strong performance at all engine speeds

practical and high quality interior

smooth gearbox

reasonable pricing

cheaper to tax than the 3.6

improved fuel consumption over 3.6

What we dislike:

Lack of feel from the brake pedal

feels big and heavy to drive

a diesel is less complicated

The hybrid model is little different from the standard V6 variant on the inside. With the batteries taking up the area under the boot floor, there isn’t space for a spare wheel in the Touareg Hybrid – it is equipped with a quick fix puncture repair kit instead. Oddly though, the Cayenne Hybrid does get a spare, albeit one that is standing vertically on the right hand side of the luggage area, which isn’t very pleasant looking or ideal.

The Touareg offers acres of room for passengers inside. There’s great head and legroom (thanks to a 38mm longer wheelbase than the first gen model) at the rear even for the tallest of passengers. Up front, the driver and passenger get new electrically adjustable seats that are superbly comfortable while the dashboard is an ergonomic delight. The easy-to-read instruments are flanked by a colour screen that displays setting for the stereo, the MFD as well as directions for the standard sat nav – the hybrid model adds further info within the MFD that includes power flow indicators and so on. Furthermore, the large touchscreen for the infotainment system displays a bigger power flow diagram and an average fuel consumption chart for enlightening the passengers.

Perceived luxury and overall quality is a notch above Volkswagen models like the Golf and Passat even though some of the switchgear, like those on the multi function steering wheel is shared with lesser models. The Touareg Hybrid comes standard with loads of luxurious kit – keyless operation, a superb sounding CD stereo system with an internal hard drive, trip computer, sat nav, front and rear parking sensors, electrically operated tailgate, bi-Xenon headlamps and so on.

The hybrid commands a relatively reasonable twenty-six grand price premium over the regular 3.6-litre base Touareg, which isn’t that significant when you consider the fuel savings in the long run and the extra performance it offers, making it a no brainer to stick to just petrol power alone in the 3.6 FSI Touareg variant.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai