Why the Volkswagen Touareg is so frustrating... | ReDriven used car review

[@carlosorff]

This is the best car I ever owned no matter its flaws, it is a 3.0TDI with 245HP.I own it for three years and drive it daily for work and I do a lot of kilometers. Bought is with just a little over 100000km. Now it has 300000km. I serviced it by schedule and I have ordered the VW service (even if it is not specified as a necessary service - they said it was sealed for life) to service the automatic transmission every 100000km. So, replacing the transmission fluid and all the filters in the gearbox. At 220000 the leaking injector seals were replaced. At 280000km, there was a small oil leak between the transmission and the engine, due to the O-ring. The whole engine was taken out of the car and I kindly asked them to service the engine chain fasteners and turbo. I would say, for the miles/kilometers I do daily it was worth it. Oil and filters are replaced every 15000km and inside is always long-life engine oil. I want a reliable car, that I can depend on, which is great in snow, where I live and is a real workhorse. It can be driven very leisurely if you want to as it is quiet in the cabin at higher speeds above 140kmh, seats are super comfortable and the driving position and the feeling of the car is super, even if you want to drive it fast through the twisty road, it is a real pleasure to use it. I just hope, it will last as I really like it. At the time I had to service the O-ring (engine in engine out), I test drove some newer models of the recent Nissan cars, (I owned a Murano before switching to Touareg) Seat Tarraco, Qashqai, RAV4, Koleos looked at Lexus NX300h... Whatever I looked at or drove, it just did not feel the right way, when I closed the door or the sitting position, materials how it drives etc. Of all the features I just love the dynamic light bending feature. Fuel consumption with mostly highway driving at 130km/h is around 8.4l/100, if I drive around 120kmh it consumes 7.7l with Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season 275/45/20. So, with half of a fuel tank, you can do around 600kmh, on most occasions I can do well over 1000km per fuel tank which is 100l.The car is a little bit shorter than Q7 and narrower as well, I liked the Q7 while I test drove it. Touareg is easy to park. This car is perfect, if and when I will have to replace it, I will go for Touareg or a Cayenne, and perhaps I would consider a Q7.

[@Cparker8]

When u say u can do 1000kms a tank is that highway kms? I'm only getting around 750kms before I reach the red line on fuel gauge, but that's city driving.

[@carlosorff]

@@Cparker8 it would be combined with most of the driving like 70% highway at speeds from 110-130kmh. I get consumption from 7.7l if I drive 110 to 8.5l per 100km if I drive between 120 and 140kmh. I have 275/45/20 all year tyres on.

[@Chumbucketsecret]

Thank you for this comment. Going to see a 14 this Friday. So excited.

[@carlosorff]

@@Chumbucketsecret Good luck, you will not be disappointed by the car if you choose Touareg.

[@Cparker8]

@@Chumbucketsecret make sure you give the car a full inspection. Take off the engine cover and look into the valley below the mainfold for coolant leaks as it's common for these cars. Get the car onto a hoist if possible and look for any oil leaks.

[@K42023]

I was like “meh” with my Touareg until I got rear ended from a car going 30-40 mph. His car was totaled, but I just felt a bump and was still able to drive home. I was a lifelong fan after that.

[@PaulRinggerJr]

same. had a spinning car smack the back of mine on an expressway in the rain with my daughter in the car. the touareg was like "whatever." the other car destroyed. the curtain of airbags worked beautifully. still had to total because of the airbag cost. otherwise, you'd never know it was in a wreck

[@jimj2683]

This is why I am scared of cycling in traffic. Zero protection...

[@jimj2683]

Only disadvantage of these SUVs is the high center of gravity. They tip over relatively easy. The EV versions will have a lower center of gravity and be even heavier. An electric SUV will be the ultimate in road safety. The heavier the better.

[@marcinjaniszewski4843]

Great film. Thank you

[@douglasb.1203]

@@jimj2683 no, no they don't have a high center of gravity relative to the category they are in and the anti-skid works fantastic.

[@MartinJones123]

Honestly, I think this car has aged better than the equivalent Q7, especially pre facelift... Great video 👍

[@josef6415]

the interior from 2011 still looks modern and has good technology for today

[@TVBCStudios]

I bought my 2011 Touareg VR6 over a 2009 Audi Q7 and I'm so glad I did. The vehicle went virtually problem free for 5+ years, but these last years have been painful $8000 engine replacement, and another $1160 for a thermostat replcmnt & radiator expansion tank replcmnt. Still looks amazing with our 22" Lexani CSS8 wheels. I get offers every month.

[@MartinJones123]

@@TVBCStudios How much is it worth these days? Selling it may be a better option before the problems arise again, though were you servicing it every 10,000 km?

[@childofthe60s100]

We replaced our Q7, that had the lethal - factory fitted - automatic tow bar - with the melting plastic assist ring, with an R-Style Touareg. Much better car, more comfortable and less pretentious. The dangerous Q7 was overpriced. Funny - after denying the issue, reported by so many people - they no longer fit the dangerous part?

[@84chrisso]

I would not hesitate to recommend one of these to anyone. They are massively underrated. My mum bought a one year old 2013 year model Touareg with 40,000kms much to my dads displeasure. He was a Toyota loyalist and hated the idea of having a VW parked in their garage. Fast forward to current day and he is now the biggest advocate for the car and will tell anyone that listens how good it is and that its far and away the best car they've owned. He now owns an Amarok V6 dual cab which he also loves - but not quite as much as the Touareg. Despite now having over 220,000 of trouble free kms on the odometer, I am always amazed at just how refined, smooth and comfortably the T-Reg drives and rides. There isn't a single rattle, squeak or vibration to be heard or felt from the interior, suspension or engine and transmission. It's not uncommon to find yourself unknowingly and effortlessly sitting at speeds way above the legal limit on winding country roads. There is a depth of quality and refinement to these cars you just don't get in any Toyota, Ford, Mazda or Mitsubishi etc.

[@xo8033]

how is it now? interesting in getting a 2011 with 140k miles

[@brucemcnair2]

I own a 2014 Toureg. Love it. Never had a problem. 160,000km’s

[@mzwandilenzimande4621]

I used to have the previous Gen 7L Touareg. They are thoroughly impressive whilst being understated. The worst part about owning it was that people would confuse it for a Tiguan. It's a lot of money to pay to not be noticed, but then a gain that's what Stealth-Wealth is all about.

[@anthonylardo6969]

Wouldn't buy a VW to be noticed, to be honest. Actually wouldn't be seen dead in one.

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

@@anthonylardo6969 your loss

[@craigsle]

Anthony Lardass probably drives a friggen Corrolla ...LMFAO..

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

@@craigsle tell me you don’t know much about cars without telling me. It’s literally a porsche cayenne with a Volkswagen badge. Bentley and Lamborghini even took the platform.

[@craigsle]

@Noah McDaniel , ya ,it's called platform sharing Noah , it's a brilliant way to save shit loads of money and increase your profits and it was pioneered by VW ,not sure what your point is . Maybe you should take Anthony Lardass with you, get back on your Ark , head out to sea and shut the front door .

[@tonydiaz2213]

I am a VW technician in the US,I have a 2006 Touareg v8 as a daily driver.My Touareg has 170000 miles and runs great.i love it.

[@davebrune4001]

Right! Got the same with 265 AT tires it's a tank with style..unstoppable..😎👊

[@29duc]

Until the alternator goes out at mine 165k and they want 4500

[@xo8033]

how is it now? interesting in getting a 2011 with 140k miles

[@brianmoore4778]

I have an 04 and an 06 V8 models. One steel springs suspension lifted 2 in. ,the other air suspension. Both over 200,000 miles

[@rickfetz469]

I bought a 2014 Touareg tdi in 2019 with 63,000 miles on it to drive to Alaska from Indiana. Due to Covid we weren’t able to go on our trip until 2023. The Touareg did just great on our 6 week / 8700 mile trip. With a Thule roof top storage unit we averaged almost 28 mpg. The comfort, range, and capability were all positive factors. The car now (11/24) has 138,000 miles (230,000 km) on it and I just replaced the turbo and intercooler ($4500 usd) . I just drove it on the highway for the first time and averaged 33mpg! While the repair was expensive I feel like I have a new car as it also has new tires and brakes and still looks great. An amazing vehicle which is no longer sold in the US unfortunately so I will keep it as long as possible and enjoy it. It is a great road car.

[@chrisossie5034]

A few mistakes were made in this KZbin review. Regarding power delivery. The part about 4motion, all Touareg's have the Torsen transfer box, permanent AWD system. It's the 4motion Haldex system used on Tiguans that's not full time AWD! By default, the Touareg’s torque split is set at 40% to the front axle and 60% to the rear axle, the 4Motion can send up to 60% to the front axle and up to 80% to the rear axle in low-traction conditions. A simple check of the owner manual will point that out. Also the review didn't even talk about Air Suspension! That is a major feature which makes the car still handle like new suspension never fades like normal shocks. It can also raise the Touareg 300mm for off roading. Nothing was mentioned about towing! A lot of buyers would like to know it can tow a full 3.5T. The model in this video is the base model Touareg that only has 150kw not 180kw. Basically no air suspension means it has the base engine with less KW. Still otherwise a great review thanks!

[@TopherField]

good comment, thankyou. I'm tossing up between a used Q7, Tuareg, or Hyundai Palisade (Don't judge me, much newer and lower km for the same money) and this comment was useful, thankyou.

[@FearlessMagpie]

he was referring to the 4XMotion ones, which have the locking rear differential option

[@taydencornish]

This was my friends touareg that I told Adam to take for the day, it was a 180kw car. No air suspension doesn't mean it's 150kw.

[@chrisossie5034]

I've never heard of a 180kw non air suspension version of the Touareg in Australia, must have been not common at all.What model variant was it? After market power upgrade perhaps?@@taydencornish

[@taydencornish]

@@chrisossie5034 they're very common here, we didn't get really any petrol 7p's however.. This one had bugger all options

[@shuoma5303]

In US, the Touaregs are covered with a 100k-mile powertrain warranty. I talked to maybe 4-5 people at different VW dealerships and no one seemed to know about it. They are pretty underrated.

[@JasonBedient]

Does that transfer even on used models to the new buyer? Any year limitation like "only good for 10 years or 100K mile?"

[@briangray9118]

120k miles

[@kemosabe5120]

@@briangray9118 No that's corrosion warranty. Powertrain is 100k

[@briangray9118]

@@kemosabe5120 no it’s the TDI warranty I’m looking at my warranty documents right now it’s covered to 120k if it was a buyback

[@jeremyshirazee]

We own one and ..touch wood... it has been amazing! 2014 With the 180kw V6 TDI and it is a satisfying drive. Put your foot down and it lets out an almighty roar while taking off. Doesn't sound like a diesel and runs really smooth. We had some cold start up issues with it holding revs but that *magically* disappeared after a while lol. My wife and I love this car and hope our run of good luck continues :)

[@michaabborrero2240]

I adore my 2012 TDI Touareg. Very reliable and never had any of the issues mentioned in the video. The only issue has been with the electronic E brake. Twice has gotten stuck on lock and getting it unlocked has been an interesting process. It’s a valued member of our family. We even named her Lilly. I’ve never owned a car so long and don’t see myself replacing it in the future. She’s the best car ever!!! Highly recommend it.

[@stasn3715]

Can you tell me what the issue was with the e-break. I have hold assist and when it is on at the still stand the car will not release it when I accelerate. So I have to floor it before that damn thing will release it. Very annoying when you need to move a car just an inch in traffic for example. Did you have the same issue?

[@michaabborrero2240]

@@stasn3715 twice the E Brake has locked and will not release. We’ve had to tow it to the dealership and in order to do so, they’ve placed dolly’s on the tires to make it roll. Extremely painful to watch.

[@Cparker8]

​@michaabborrero2240 for this reason I never engage the e brake unless I'm parked on a incline

[@xo8033]

how is it now? interesting in getting a 2011 with 140k miles

[@jacob2603]

I drove my 2015 Touareg to 250K Miles and the only “major” issue I had was the AC blower motor going out at 145k miles… cost $150 USD for a new one and installed it myself. The best car I’ve ever owned

[@MrInternFTL]

My grandmother had one of these as a dealer loaner when her eos was getting fixed, she had to bring it back for an engine fault

[@cliffbooth4826]

gold

[@MartinJones123]

Volkswagen, Das Auto

[@kjx4086]

I'm surprised the dealer would loan a Touareg, from my knowledge most would loan a golf or Passat at most

[@User-cb4jm]

@@kjx4086 depends on what they have on hand, while a Golf or Tiguan is more common, it isn’t impossible that they had a Touraeg available.

[@kjx4086]

@@User-cb4jm yeah agreed, thus surprised. And fascinated how the poor grandma had such bad luck with both relatively low probability event happened to her

[@chihweiteng253]

I currently own one and I had a few of the problems, including ABS module failure, steering pump issues and coolant leak. But for some reason, we keep loving it. The problem now is increasingly spare parts must now be sourced offshore. I think I now understand landrover owners, their cars are unreliable but lovable. I note that folks in the comments tell us to get Japanese or the LC Prado. I just looked at Pradopoint.. full of complaints too. I think cars are designed to fail nowadays.

[@bockerstar]

touareg is way more reliable on main components like engine and transmission...

[@faheemabbas3965]

Planned Obsolescence.

[@lilmoris1]

LC Prado full complaints? Now that's one HUGE cap right there mate.

[@13smarts1]

I love my Touareg, it is my second one, (first one got stolen and written off), both have been V6TDI's with air suspension, I have done 110,000 kms in the past 5 years in them without any major issues, a large percentage of those kms towing a 2300kg caravan (which it tows with ease), 16 litres per 100 km when towing and 7.5 when not towing, I will probably replace my current MY15 with an MY18 in the next year as I just can't find anything else that combines the value, comfort, quietness, versatility and capability of the Touareg, we recently did a trip with our van from Victoria to Uluru and Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta Track, it didn't miss a beat and coped with all of the mud and corrugations we went through and still feels solid with no rattles ,what else with a 6400kg GCM can do all of this?

[@jackh4787]

Watch the new ones with their tow ball weight. They get de-rated big time unfortunately, such a shame when the engines are a dream for towing.

[@timblizzard4226]

How would you say the touareg performs on the road? I'm currently driving a 3.2lt Passat and thinking about upgrading to a Touareg (mainly to tow a van) and I don't want to lose all of the fun. Obviously its a big car, but does it corner ok on the tarmac? Sounds like the TDI has plenty of squirt.

[@billabong80RTO]

All Touaregs 7p are permanent 4wd, there was never a variant with 2wd. All of them have a transfer box with a Torsen derived central diff that in normal state will split the drive 40:60 front:rear. 4XMotion ads a 2 speed transfer box and lockable central and rear diff so it can split power evenly to the wheels (with help from the esp - no front lock), but it can NOT send 100% of the torque to just one wheel, that is mechanically impossible with locked diffs.

[@mAJORDEE]

Actually that is exactly what locked diffs CAN do.

[@billabong80RTO]

@@mAJORDEE 100% means all of the torque. That means the other wheels receive 0%, aka none of it. Diff locks are torque splitters. When you have all 3 diffs locked in a 4x4 (that is equipped as such) torque is evenly distributed among the wheels. You can't send 100% of torque to one wheel with diff locks, you could though with torque vectoring, but that's a different matter.

[@kjx4086]

Exactly what I was going to post

[@arthurk9567]

He confused 4motion with the haldex ones found on Tiguan. Touareg was a 4wd fulltime. I think it had a torsen centre diff with a low range transfer box

[@kjx4086]

@@arthurk9567 low range was only optional on the second gen pre facelift models only. Others were pretty much the same as the Amarok

[@johnmeredith3485]

Bought my 2007 Touareg 3.0 TDi brand new. Traded it in last year on a smaller VW SUV. We had 14 years of basically trouble free driving. Things that went wrong - crank sensor replaced after 10 yrs, the aircon fan was replaced in 2018 and the tailgate gas struts gave out in late 2020. Not bad for 14 years and 190,000 km. That 3 litre diesel is as strong as an ox and purrs. Achieved on average 11 litres/100km over its lifetime with me. No rust despite having taken it and driven it all over Fraser Island for a week five times between 2009 & 2016. What it lacked in clearance, it made up for with torque. Only got it bogged once in the really soft stuff (dropped the tyre pressure a smidge and off we went again). Serviced the car religiously and resisted the urge to buy a car with a sunroof !

[@blakeladhams7548]

Haha exactly the same as ours, the only thing to go wrong is the crank sensor which stopped it from starting intermittently and the fan blower, can't really fault them eh !!

[@semaj762]

I own a 2011 V6 TDI Touareg 4xmotion with all the bells and whistles and AT tyres. Love it. Know many other owners as I am in a Touareg group. I must say at 260000km I have not had the vast majority of the issues you refer to. From the research I have done I believe they are more reliable than this review portrays... Searching online you only find the complaining people... Not the thousands of very happy owners :)

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting James. In regards to talking with thousands of happy owners, we did. We joined multiple owners groups and asked members questions and we found that even those that love and adore their Touareg, many still had various issues. For example, the two Touareg we booked to film (that then broke down before we could feature them) are owned by fans and despite the issues they've had, love their Touareg. Please know that we spend days correlating our research and we present it as objectively as we possibly can. - AK

[@timblizzard4226]

@@ReDriven Mate, I love the review, very well done, but you made these things seem so unreliable that you were in constant fear that the doors were going to fall off or something.

[@m0peds]

Agreed they've made over a million

[@xo8033]

how is it now? interesting in getting a 2011 with 140k miles

[@semaj762]

@xo8033 still 100% happy. Done 6000km in long trips in past 4 months and zero issues. Did a parking brake motor that failed about 18 months ago setting me back about $700 US but no other issues. Have learnt since then that for a happy life get the V6 TDI CAS engined model from the early pre 2012 second gen touaregs. They are super reliable. Without the injector and plastic cracking engine auxiliary part issues of the newer V6 tdi from 2012 on...

[@vladilas]

I have a 2011 3.0 TDI 240HP Touareg and it's one hell of a car. Absolutely love it, drives well, so comfortable, it's fast. A dream car. I would only replace it with a newer Touareg or Cayenne. Almost a year since I have the car, brought it a little bit over 300.000km and I didn't have any major issues until now.

[@Randy-uh8wd]

You either misspoke or are just wrong about the AWD. They are rear wheel biased, not front wheel drive. In fact there is always a little power going up front while most power is going to the rear. The engine is longitudinally mounted. Do not confuse the Touareg with the Tiguan that has a transversely mounted engine and is in fact front wheel drive until slippage occurs and engages AWD. I love my Touareg TDI. Zero problems in 90k miles. This thing is a tank! I love it so much!

[@naruttaanime9471]

Do you change tires frequently due to the AWD tire scrub effect?

[@londoriath3764]

The Touareg 7p sends 90% power to the front wheels, and 10% to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions. That is the 4Motion system. Yes the engine faces the rear wheels, but it mostly comes to the front wheels. The ones sold in Japan however retain the 4XMotion like that in the previous gen which is a 40/60 split under normal driving scenarios. Both systems are capable of sending upto 80% to the rear systems.

[@berniehittner3585]

Best car ever. Have a 2013 V6 sport. Incredible traction in snow. 85k miles- no issues. Basically a Porsche Cayenne at a cheaper price.

[@daaizen]

Fuel consumption?

[@koro287]

My 2012 has 340k on the clock. Eight owners. Looks and drives like new. yeah i just spent a few g's on coolant leak in the valley,but now all those plastic housings and hoses are replaced , i personally cleaned the soot from the intake and it wasnt that bad really. Its not all about money. Safety, road handling and build quality are big plus;s with these beasts.Every brand breaks one day.

[@donaldmorrisey1532]

Absolutely love my 2016 Touareg TDI Executive. Currently has 86,000 miles and is still under warranty here in the US. Over here they came with a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. On top of that, it has the diesel gate extended warranty which covers 10 years/120,000 miles for both the emission control system and engine long block. Basically, anything within the emissions system to include the turbochargers, sensors, injectors, fuel pump, etc. and the long block (pistons, cams, rods, heads) are all covered. Not to mention the dealer has to fill the Adbblue at no charge. I honestly looked at other vehicles to possibly replace it but I haven't found anything that comes close to it. Tows great, rides great, handles great, luxury interior, great space, great traction, built like a tank, and gets good fuel mileage for a vehicle of this size. Is it expensive to maintain? Depends on your definition of expensive. Of course it will be more expensive to maintain and repair than a Honda or Toyota. You are getting a luxury vehicle and with that comes luxury maintenance. The Touareg is in the same class as a BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, etc. and is a bargain compared to them. This is an awesome vehicle. I just wish they were still sold in the US so I could have a proper replacement when its time.

[@jaimehop1763]

Most reliable car I have ever owned. Mine is a 2013 V6 Gasoline, with 116,000 km, which I bought new. Only problem I have ever had is the water pump leaking and replaced twice. Battery is almos 10 years old and never been replaced. That is how well made this vehicle is. Everything seems solid, and long lasting. Everything works as new. Never had a light on the dash.

[@saisal123]

Does battrey gives 10 years! What is the brand of the battery please 😊

[@satti1001]

A good brand AGM battery can easily goes 10 years if car runs less.

[@satti1001]

116,000 is nothing that prove reliablity, we need car that goes over 300k with no major repair

[@jaimehop1763]

@@satti1001 I disagree. My 116,000 km are not highway kms, but Mexico City kms. We have some of the worst traffic in the world, so in terms of hours of use, this is a lot. Also, our roads are full of potholes, bumps, etc. Other very reliable cars here, like Toyotas, never last anywhere close to 300K km.

[@satti1001]

@@jaimehop1763 you are right, wear and tear is higher in city. Toyota is most reliable company in world, i saw toyota diesel cars close to million kms in asia and india

[@johnwallace4913]

I got myself a 2016 180kw with the air suspension, the EGR was replaced at 120k and a set of Bendix ceramic pads on plus regular service. No problems, no weirdness or funky electricals. The water thing happened on my previous model but if you wash it down and keep the vents clean it’s a cracking car. I take mine off road and the suspension lifted to off-road is very capable, haven’t done sand yet but mud is no problem. Avoid smashing through deep water, fun but the air intake can suck in water and lead to some nasty and expensive engine issues. Fuel economy is great, especially compared to my old petrol version. Paid 40K for mine and recently had an offer for 45k after owning it for three years- what madness is this market at the moment? If you are willing to service and replace some valves and regulators then these are great budget Audi/Porsche alternatives, very much at home off road or heading to the shops in double bay/toorak (40K versus 130k makes you heaps smarter and way more attractive!)

[@scottnever8732]

My first visit to ReDriven, I'm from England and love the no nonsense Australian attitude . Great video

[@stevencooper3615]

Had three Tregs. Only problems were related to the battery and door sensors. They are incredible. Very good response on road and best 5 seater (other than the Cayenne).

[@thomasclose3765]

@ReDriven The 7P generation you are reviewing uses a torsen centre LSD for a 38/62% split F/R. They are not FWD torque on demand like a Tiguan. As an owner, I loved the review. But thankfully haven’t had any of the issues raised @190,000km. Similarly my old man with his R-Line V8 TDi with 300,000km has had no notable issues.

[@oldskoolchevy1593]

Yes I came here to comment on the 4 motion system too. Doesn't do himself any favours in the credibility stakes when he gets fairly important details like this wrong.

[@danpiedra3910]

I had a 2014 TDI which I drove through to 2023. I loved it - it felt brand new from day one to when I sold it. Unfortunately, it ran into issues at 250,000 km ... first, it developed a crack in the sunroof frame which meant it began leaking water every time it rained. It could not be fixed and several service dealers indicated it needed to be replaced at a cost of +$5000. To cap it off, it developed a leak in the cooling system which required a lot of time to replace parts ... again, several dealers quoted me more than +$4000. All in all, it was time to let it go vs spending that kind of money to repair things. It is unfortunate that VW chose to pull all diesels from North America including Canada. I wish we would have had the 2021+ Touareg. Instead we ended up with the ugly box on wheels known as the Atlas. Pass on that one!

[@WillKinton]

I absolutely love my 2014 Touareg that nearly has 100k miles. I've only had a couple issues, the biggest was the water pump. It cost me about $500 from the dealer to replace it, which was about half what the same dealer quoted for my GTI's.

[@richards8718]

We have a 2009 VW Touareg and tow our van its a great car, pulls with easy and goes anywhere through the outback on our travels love it.

[@Ricardo-ur7tp]

What size van do you tow & what engine car is it?

[@kingjulian1549]

We hired a Touareg in Frankfurt and drove it for a couple of weeks around Germany and Austria. It was too big in German villages but it was truly lovely to drive and would sit happily at 160km/h on the Autobahn. Try that in a Prado. I've owned 5 VW's (Golf's and Passat's) and all have been truly wonderful vehicles and i've only had a few minor niggles. I've just ordered a Mark 8 Golf R Wagon. Unfortunately i won't see it for 12 months due to the Covid delays.

[@matus201]

I absolutely love my 2017 Touareg. Yea the VR6 petrol is a little weak... but other than that, it's absolutely amazing. Best $30k CAD car out there.

[@mtozzy11]

We have a 2017 MY18 180kw V6 TDI its got 190,000km on it, with 95% of that being Country/gravel/farm driving. It's got all the bells and whistles, and has been a problem free car apart from the water pump leaking at 150,000km which cost $380 to replace along with a few coolant seals. Thoroughly love the car super comfortable even on quite frankly fucked roads, fuel efficient (it tows a 2.1T caravan and a 3T trailer with small tractor on it) avg 8L/100km and 11 - 13L/100km. Interior quality is great even with two farm dogs in it. The only thing well replace it with is a new 210kw Touareg.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

You have been one of the lucky few

[@mtozzy11]

@@bondjamesbond9041 we know a few people with them and they are happy with them to. Early variants tend to be the ones with issues

[@yankeedoodle6293]

I drive a 2016 Touareg TDI, I’ve got 90,000 miles on the odometer. Mechanically it’s been great. I did have a sunroof leak which cost me $2500 to replace. I love the car and hope it will give me 250,000 miles + (very understated)

[@stasn3715]

I know a guy who has 600.000km on it and he still takes the car for the 'light' off-road from time to time. Just take care of your car and it will take care of your wallet :). By the way, I advise you to change the spark plugs because if they fail and got stuck ... it cost a lot to replace them. So do it before they go busted. Around 120K and I would replace them for another 120k. Also, be on time with the oil change in your gearbox. They say that it is never should be done but I would do it for around 200k. Nothing goes endless and all parts have wear so new oil only will prolongate the life of your gearbox.

[@roblotomy]

That sausage spot in the console is where the knob for the ride height adjustment is when optioned. I drove 4 of these in v8s. Decided it was too big for me and the dog and started looking at sq5s

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

The outlook is different in the US used market when it comes to comparable vehicles. There’s no Pajero or Prado. If you want something that’s kind of pleasant to drive and that can hold its own off road you’re basically looking at a grand cherokee, outback, land rover or land cruiser. Land cruisers are ridiculously expensive used and the other 3 aren’t much more reliable and cost about the same as the touareg. And the touareg is the best off road of that bunch aside from the land cruiser. Even if you buy a 4runner, you’re going to spend $5k more for something a few years older with probably 70-80k+ more miles. Why not pocket the $5k, get the nicer car, and save the money for repairs. Oh and you’ll probably save $1000/yr on gas. It’s all relative.

[@bernardwong963]

Mine has none of the mentioned issues. In fact, after 6 years, it has been flawless.

[@BUEAU]

I've had my 2017 FSI (petrol) for 6 years and have had no mechanical or electrical issues whatsoever. It has a very regal, solid and expensive feel to drive. Absolutely love it. My only complaint would be that it's a bit underpowered for such a heavy vehicle. Can feel a bit sluggish at times.

[@patsy115]

dont let this review put you off - I own a 2016 MODEL from 2019- had it 4 years , the condensate pipe blocked with leaves etc the footwell passenger got wet - didnt break anything electrical - easy fix few cable ties up the tube from below - any from 2016 upwards are really good in my opinion- engine is a cracker - you can also fit 3 baby seats on the back seats - really good suv

[@edog7059]

I've owned a 13 3.0 TDI Lux for 7 years now.. Still lovin it! I bought it expecting increased service costs and committed myself to a strict service regimen. Most solid vehicle I've ever owned. Within 2 weeks of buying it I mounted All-terrain tires on 17" wheels and still love the look and feel.

[@celere1]

Great video. We love our 2011 TDI V6 Executive. Purchased in 2019 after they started coming back on the market after the Bosch software fix in the US. Purchased with 98k miles. Now has 128k miles. We have had no water issues because we live in the desert. We have had one weird mechanical fault (which after some research, determined it was not an uncommon fault). The steering angle sensor failed (at least it thought it did), and when it happened, the ignition locked out and it wouldn't start. We didn't do any lengthy troubleshooting after retrieving the fault code. Had it towed to the local VW dealer (mistake) and spent $2k USD having it repaired. No problems since, but a good lesson in some of the strange faults that can cost lots of $$. We still love it.

[@yegor-ua]

Bought my 2012 Touareg VR6 at 90,000 km, added 160,000 km over last 6 years. Never had any problems at all. Just did regular maintenance like changing oil, brakes, spark plugs, etc. Amazingly reliable vehicle! I don’t think the author did enough research.

[@jon8066]

I had one of these in a tdi executive and absolutely loved it, they have aged better than their Audi brothers.

[@benjamincroucher-rivayacht3758]

Owned 3 of these over time. I drove my first one to 250,000 MILES. Everything is really to fix if it ever breaks and is cheap. The key to owning these TDI is to change the oil every 5000 to 7000 miles. The car will run flawlessly

[@tyroncraft3473]

We own a 2011 V6. Bought it second hand in 2013. It has been amazing and has barely skipped a beat except having the EGR replaced in 2015. It does tend to eat brake pads and rotors, couldn’t recommend one more, but that’s based on our experience

[@NLDMesa06]

"I'm just constantly worried that something's going to break." - A perfect description of how I feel driving any BMW.

[@Dickusification]

Buy an F80 M3. Absolutely bullet proof

[@willkoopman9306]

Couldn’t relate more. I have a ‘13 treg that I put about 15k miles on each year. Constantly worries

[@greyskulll1]

Every 8-10yrs old German brand infact!

[@benardndoj7729]

it happens to me with Audi

[@saavedra909]

Here in Mexico like 90% of the Touareg are armored (enough strong to stop ARs and AKs bullets) and still rolling perfectly for over 6-7 years! I've worked with those SUVs several times and are amazing despite be heavily armoured

[@tjm105]

They have to make bullet proof cars in Mexico?! 😮

[@bockerstar]

touareg has aisin 8speed and torsen diff so it is not front bias... 2y ago i decided between touareg and lc150 prado and im soo happy i picked touareg.

[@ahmedhaoues8650]

I own the 2012 Touareg. I bought it in 2016, and I'm still in love with it. I'm 6'4" tall, and I fit in it comfortably with lots of leg space. My knees move freely under the steering wheel! vvry few cars could offer me that! I had to change the oxygen sensor, and the head gasket seal. Other than that, just the regular maintenance. it still runs beautifully. I'm thinking of changing it with a newer model.

[@zixuan77]

9.5 yr old Hybrid Petrol V6 with 110000km clocked. Survived a 1700km road trip one week and ECU decided to give up the next week. Fuel consumption is crazy even on a hybrid. 17km/100L is the best I can squeeze out if I try to be a road hazard. And I finally know that the round hole in the centre console is for a sausage

[@wheelbarrow01]

I have a 2011 V8 TDi with 240,000km on the clock and haven’t had any major issues, just regular servicing from a non VW mechanic. HOT TIP - left foot on brake, put transmission into sport mode, switch off traction control, push accelerator flat to the floor, then release the brake when the traffic light goes green. Yes it has launch control and it’s fricken awesome!!!

[@yassineB2424]

Mine is a 2012 with 270000 km on it. Well maintained, I never had a single problem with it.

[@teddy0139]

Mine Touareg petrol V6 is from 2013 has 116,000 miles and still with original battery. No issues so far (knocking on the wood). One repair was done as a part of recall (some exhaust mount was installed), and other than that - just tires, brakes, filters and oil changes. It eats the tires quite fast due to the weight. Very comfortable to drive, car feels solid. Even though I own it for 6 years, I still plan to keep it as long as it drives. Installing FocalINSIDE audio upgrade next month. I was planning to do that few years ago, but what the hell... it's time.

[@geraldsternagl5831]

I have a 7P 3.0 TDI from 2011 after I had a 7L. Absolutely loved both of them. Never had any issues luckily. But I agree with most what was said here including obscene services pricing at VW. It's a wonderful car but if something goes wrong it can quickly become very expensive.

[@Jsailor1210]

I have a 2016 Touareg executive. 143,000 miles bought but it in 2018 with 50k. The only thing I have done is the scheduled maintenance, and 4 wheel speed sensors. Which stops all your ACC. But we absolutely love it and will only get rid it once it starts getting to expensive to fox.

[@janbugaj2422]

My Touareg Altitude is a 2008 model and has completed 203,000 without missing a beat! It pulls our caravan and horse box effortlessly 👍. It is really versatile and with the back seats down has a mass of space! Best car ever owned!

[@sabinofernandes4753]

I've had a 2008 Tourage 2 since 2012. I love as much today, as I did when I first purchased it. It's a solid SUV !!!

[@fabioandrade5126]

I had a 2013 V8 Rline and towed a 3.5T caravan around Australia including Cape York Gulf of Carpentaria and never had a problem. Over 200k on the odometer. Actually regret selling it

[@snbforever]

Yes, absolutely. I own a 2003 Volkswagen Touareg 4.2 V8 petrol, and, yes, I had to spend money on it to fix worn parts, because the former owner DID NOT look after it, but since then, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. I just took it all over Tasmania, over 3,000 km, and not an issue, just had to check the oil, that’s it. And, using BP 98 Ultimate, achieved 11.8 litres per 100 km, absolutely awesome. Will be purchasing an R-Line V8 TDI as soon as the money is available 😀

[@fredericoknapp1531]

Awesome video, thank. I have a 2014 V8 gas in Brazil. My unit is armored (bulletproof) and has been very reliable as it has 54kkm. It is the best car I have owned. Will be with the car for a long while.

[@gadeacristi]

You are wrong about the standard 4 motion system in the Touareg. All Touareg generations have been equipped with Torsen type center diffs, regardless of them having low range or not. And that means it send power to the rear wheels most of the time. The first gen had low range as standard, the second gen as an option and the third gen, which I own, has only the simple 4 motion system, also torsen, without any low range option available. The awd system in the Touareg is shared with its vw group siblings, the q7 and the cayenne

[@mikegc3655]

I Bought a 2015 V6 Deisel model last year at 71,000km. Hydro-pnematic adjustable Suspension, Diff Locks etc. Im at 105,000km and its been brilliant. Extremely capable offroad. I Love the way it drives, its a great towing car if you want to pull a Caravan/trailer up to 2 or perhaps 2.5 tonnes, its a breeze. So far...not one of those electrical glitches mentioned in the Video. According to my VW specialist the items mentionned by Carlosorff below are the typical issues. I would agree with Carlosorff...Its the best car I have owned.

[@aaronmcgaga83]

That's not fake wood, it's 100% real walnut. The only thing to really worry about in the TDI is the high pressure fuel pump. When it goes out, it sends shrapnel throughout the high pressure fuel system.

[@MrDamburger]

my mate has one, costed him heaps in repairs and he's only driven on open road, centre differential making terrible noise, and uses so much gas

[@Cust0mBuilder]

Wait for the mandatory owner now to tell you he swears by his Touareg and that it NEVER had an issue or broken down. There's always one ;)

[@lukeclifton4392]

My mates a VW master tech and hates them, because of the issues. But I also know someone who has bought a 2nd hand V8 model… and after 5 years on semi rural roads has not had any issue AT ALL. On a different note my brother bought a 2nd hand Skoda Superb Diesel (he’s now had it 6+ years) and it lives on mainly dirt roads and gets driven 80km most days… it’s LHS headlight washer cap has fallen off!!!🤷‍♂️😀

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

@@Cust0mBuilder Because “my mate’s car” is such a reliable anecdote.

[@ln5747]

​@@noahmcdaniel4920 Haha exactly, touche!

[@milaras4752]

i just bought touaureg V8 12 years old - drives like new.Happy !

[@NoRegertsHere]

Enjoy. I had a 2013 version. Incredible.

[@Fentongrenville]

I had two BMW X5's prior to buying my 2017 Touareg full air suspension. It's by far the best large SUV I've owned. I did have a little issue with the DPF but I sorted that out good and proper. Get one you won't regret it.

[@sjanson08]

I live in OZ and owned a 2003 V6 petrol and now a 2015 V6 diesel, 180kw. I had the leaking injector (one had problem but replaced all), put on a oil catch can, had also a leaking problem but easy fix and cleaned the intake manifold at the same time. I have to say, with the joy and comfort and excitement you have when drive it everyday, the expense is worth it. Now i have driven it just over 180kkm, did multiple long distance trip and I felt very confident on highway and dirt road!

[@alexofford2642]

How much did it cost to have injectors done

[@YerMama007]

2015 Touareg TDI Exec. 4.5 yrs owned, 64k miles and gotta agree with other owners…..best rig ever. Does everything well with good mpgs. Two minor emission issues covered under warranty rest has been routine maintenance so far. Plan to keep for many more years.

[@blascastro1822]

I have a 2013 and I love it thru and thru. only problem so far is a coolant temp sensor that makes the radiator fan run on high. It just started and I have yet to fix it so idk about price but I'm going to take it to the shop soon to take care of her

[@gtiguy9629]

The Touareg secret T1 2004-07 Avoid. Fuel flange filter VW recall, Transfer case TBS , Water leaks into the trunk / bad seals , Tire wear / Overuse. T2 2008-10 added Powerlift & fixed many issues. T3 2011-14 Tpms sensor, Coolant issue, sunroof issue, Key battery effects taillights, taillights burnout. Other than that it’s been really reliable T42015-18 Rework T1&T3 owner.

[@privateprivate8366]

I bought a 2016 V6 last Fall. I know it’s too heavy for the tires, but I do love it. In terms of the VW SUV lines, although this has been discontinued here in the States, I find it a nice go between, between the Tiguan and the Atlas. To me, although they have newer features, neither the Tiguan nor Atlas are as smooth and attractive looking.

[@MaxineKiellor]

We love our 2013 Touareg TDI Great large SUV with a small turning circle. Easy to live with.

[@docwyte]

We’ve put 90k miles on our Cayenne diesel with basically no issues. Replaced brakes, tires, had a few DPF issues that were covered by the Dieselgate warranty. I feel these are a good buy

[@jewel79]

We have our Touareg since 2018 and it's the best car we ever had. Before I was against "too huge cars" and SUVs. I totally changed my mind. I LOVE it. And driving is so smooth. 😍

[@PetroIv20]

I own this car for 4 years and I totally love it. Right now it has 197000Km and works fine. I didn't have any problems with this car, just some small ordinary 10years old car issues. I change oil every 8000 and it works fine. I enjoy every ride and I don't know what to buy instead.

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

Honestly my wife and I LOVE ours. Without question best car I’ve ever owned (as echoed elsewhere in the comments) We bought a 2011 (T2) in 2013 and owned it up until about a month ago… would have owned it for years to come but it got rear ended and they totaled it and we got into a newer T2 (which we did because it’s been such a reliable car for us) for the amount they gave us. If you do the routine maintenance they are super reliable and punch WAY out of their weight class… I’ve towed a 27ft trailer from Seattle to Yellowstone and back without a flinch. The thing is a beast. We’ll own this until it dies or gets totaled again. Probably rebuild the engine if it even does die…

[@KT-en8pq]

2012. Tdi. 200k miles. Flapper valve and upper chain tensioner issues. Still drives like new. I'll repair and keep it. Its better than a new car.

[@Wedgetail96]

Seated heats 😆. We know what you meant, and you obviously chose to leave it in. Great video 👍🏻

[@ReDriven]

Thanks mate!

[@MartinJones123]

Seated heats should be an option on all cars 🤣

[@andrer8583]

love it!

[@alphastone8362]

I’m in the US and I’ve had my 2017 Exec with the 3.6L VR6 engine for about a year. Odometer just over 60k miles. So far so good. While nearly all VW 4Motion systems aren’t full time AWD and only engage the rear wheels when slipping happens in the front, I believe the Touareg has been different from the get-go. And I’m not even talking about the super off-road capable 4XMotion, just the regular 4Motion. I believe it’s more like the traditional Audi Quattro with a 40/60 front/rear torque split in normal driving.

[@davidplathe]

Not sure why I watched this because I already own a 2016 V6 lux Touareg. It is so underrated and the maintenance issues are so overblown for second and third generation Touareg’s. The VR6 is a great engine. Only issue I have had is heater blower motor and battery. They are not for everyone though.

[@tonymen5712]

Own 2014 ten this yr 100 km. Door lock actuator is only issue.. towed a 3 T boat no effort..hope it lasts love it

[@slowboat6021]

we just bought our second Touareg a 2015 r line V8, superb vehicle, the first was a 2004 V10 which is a freakin beast. has towed camper trailers and caravans to insane places always got us home albeit with some freights. No other car fitted with the same size tyres would be as capable off road as a Touareg. for me the pleasure far outweighs the pain.

[@eldismemushi]

Beast , I bought 3.6 gas 2015 with 75k km , now I have 90k km and no problems , drive like tank and plane same time,, perfect suv

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I like how there’s almost no negative commentary, despite the video bringing up potential issues. It seems completely in incongruous… maybe like the video is exaggerating the problems for entertainment value.

[@bernardwong963]

Fake news and click bates. Only people with no ownership experience say they're unreliable. Mine has been near perfect, and most owners have zero problems.

[@mattkeating1532]

2013 TDI had an injector leak, 1 bolt 1 plug and it was out. The bottom copper seal/washer was completely worn. $24 from Touareg for a kit with a new washer, O’ring, and stretch bolt for 1 injector. Cleaned out the injector seat and cleaned up the injector body and refit everything. For $24 dollars and an hours work it’s good as new. Gauging from what he said on here about the price of the injector leak repair.. Take it to a shop at your peril

[@vc_innovate]

I bought a 2016 3.0L TDI in 2019 with 34K miles on it and it was flawless with regular maintenance until last year. Around 90K miles I got the glow plug warning light started blinking and the Touareg went into “limp mode”-which is pretty scary when you’re on the highway and all of a sudden you are limited to 40mph when everyone else is going 70mph. The extended warranty has been great, but I’ve had to bring it back to the dealership four times for the same issue. Maybe they just have a bad mechanic, but each time it does come back fixed, but then the problem reappears a couple months later. In the last visit they replaced the entire fuel system ($9K) under warranty. Has been good so far (only 2 months) but I can relate to the sentiment in the video of “waiting for something bad to happen”. Trying to “limp” off the highway each time is a safety concern and my wife wants me to sell the Touareg before we get into a bad accident. It’s a hard decision because like everyone here when it was reliable it really was the best car we ever owned. My other car is a 1996 Toyota Landcruiser with 220K miles. The Touareg is far more refined and gets 32mpg on highway vs 16 in my TLC, but the TLC is still going strong without any major issues.

[@temocat1]

I bought new a full loaded LUX edition 2010 TDI, she now is at 120k miles and honestly have had little to no issues. The fit and finish is very high quality compared to other BMW's, Land-cruiser and other cars Ive owned. If you dont abuse it, take it out on the freeway to open it up and keep it garaged these cars will last for decades. I looks and drives like new and I broke it in right...

[@Shipmeck]

I've had my 2012 TDI for two years. Suffered an AdBlu injection issue last summer, it has a intermittent steering wheel shake that I can't fix for anything and it eats tires like sunflower seeds. I've replaced the struts, had it aligned and realigned. Still, an absolute blast to drive. Pulls my 4k lb boat like its a lawn mower and gets 30 mph out on the highway. God willing and the creek don't rise... I'll drive it for another 5 years.

[@RacksonRacksonRibss]

I’m in a similar boat - well said

[@lifeliver9000]

Man my 2005 Touareg v6 3.2 bought second hand NZ has been amazing. Tows my 7m boat all over NZ. I have it on the beach and pulled trailers up things I haven’t been able since my landcrusier. Sooo comf-table to drive and be a passenger in. Bit heavy on the petrol but it’s hard to beat. Getting a EV BYD seal performance soon so it will be just used for shopping trips and boat ramp action. Going to run it into the ground.

[@gbarton800]

Like others have said, USA 🇺🇸 buyers are fickle when it comes to buying a near-luxury VW… as if it’s an oxymoron. I love this vehicle! I’m on my second one after VW bought back our’12 TDI (dieselgate). We now have a ‘17 V6 gas/petrol. Both have been solid performers that are excellent drivers. In 5.5 years and 72k miles of ownership, only had the AdBlu tank heater element go bad but VW paid for the repairs outside the warranty. I’ve driven the ‘17 for 5.5 years and 60k miles and only recently had the AC drainage tube blocked (leaked in passenger footwell). Arguably the best vehicle our family has owned!

[@JoshMuffley-h9c]

Just pulled the trigger on a 2013 TDI Lux.....and then watched this video ...which was fantastically entertaining but I'm also going to forget I ever saw it :). VW is in my blood and they've never left me down. Also - Slovakian Engineering doesn't have the same ring to it :)

[@kevinbarry71]

As I understand it; they are primarily rear wheel drive, and the front wheels are brought in when needed.

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

All Touaregs 7p are permanent 4wd, there was never a variant with 2wd. All of them have a transfer box with a Torsen derived central diff that in normal state will split the drive 40:60 front:rear. 4XMotion ads a 2 speed transfer box and lockable central and rear diff so it can split power evenly to the wheels (with help from the esp - no front lock), but it can NOT send 100% of the torque to just one wheel, that is mechanically impossible with locked diffs.

[@matejvukovic3108]

My family friend from Germany owns a 2016 VW Touareg with 3.0 diesel engine. Car has been reliable from the day one, has a great amount of space and it is good on long yourneys. A new model is even better,and can be considered as “GLE” luxury cruiser in game of VW MLB platform.

[@vicjay1972]

We love ours. It's my wife's daily driver. 2012 TDI Execline and we got it dirt cheap after Deiselgate. We are in Canada ant the thing is so incredible in the snow

[@robertmoss279]

I had a Touareg R Line 3.0 V6, 4 years ownership. Used it to travel from Cambridge to Scotland in that time. Things for the car, effortless cruising with plenty of power and comfortable too. Against, buy one if you like spending your money on tyres and fuel. 17000 miles per set of tyres (Continental and don’t believe what they say about MPG, because you will not achieve it. 22 - 24 on short journeys to work, 38 - 40 on a long run. Reason for eventual trade in was the EGR valve started to leak and was not prepared to pay out on such a big bill, £800 + every 17000 miles for tyres. I covered around 20000 miles and did enjoy owning the car, but was surprised at the two main costs listed above.

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

All I can say is thank you to everyone who gives the touareg a bad rap. There’s no better value vehicle on the used market right now. Especially if you find yourself a dieselgate unit that’s still under warranty. As frustrating as it is as an owner to see how overlooked it is, that’s part of its charm, and keeps them affordable. These cars aren’t terribly unreliable. They’re expensive to fix, and getting old. Would you call them reliable? No. Maybe if you had bought an 08-10 tdi new it would have been solid for many years. Same could maybe be said about later t3’s. But buying them used today? It’s not something that’s likely to get to be 10+ years old with 150k mi without a pricey repair or perhaps a few. But are they disasters? Absolutely not. Probably the most well built volkswagen of the last 15-20 years.

[@alexdariod]

Preach. I’ve had two and they have been a workhorse. Keep badmouthing them, I’ll keep trading them up for cheap.

[@williamegler8771]

I own a 2012 that will turn 250, 000 miles not kilometers sometime this week. Repairs have been few and far between with the most extensive being valve cover gaskets at 190k to correct a minor oil leak and a A/C compressor which developed a minor leak. Vehicle has been maintained first by the dealership and when the warranty ran out by a VW specialist. Only complaint is it is kinda underpowered. It has the 3.6L V6

[@bockerstar]

i have 2010 stage2 v8tdi yesterday reached 300k km and very few issues. no complains on power tho 300kw and 960nm.

[@teddy0139]

Are you using premium gas (min 91 octane) if you are in the US, or 87? Just curious.

[@rickvoit7310]

We have a ‘15 TDI Executive, it’s been absolutely bulletproof and VW paid us $9,500 to keep it with Dieselgate. Put this owner in the “100% reliable” and “happy” categories. Hoping to drive it a long time.