 2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8; photo by Greg Wilson. Click image to enlarge |
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By Chris Chase
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Volkswagen Touareg, 2004-2007
To this point, Volkswagen’s history as a builder of light trucks is a short one. It started in the 1950s with pickup and cargo van versions of the Transporter. The next chapter opened in 1980 with a pickup version of the Rabbit, but VW wouldn’t build a truck with serious appeal until the 2003, when the Touareg joined the premium SUV segment.
The Touareg SUV debuted in mid-2003, but there seems to be some discrepancy as to whether those first trucks were 2003 or 2004 models.
This Volkswagen shared many of its structural elements with the Porsche Cayenne. Power was supplied by a choice of engines: V6 models got a 3.2-litre motor making 220 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque; V8 models used a 4.2-litre engine engine rated at 306 horsepower and 302 lb-ft of torque.
 2007 Volkswagen Touareg 3.6; photo by Jil McIntosh. Click image to enlarge |
In 2005, the base Touareg got a power boost, as the V6 engine gained a few horses for a total of 240, while eight-cylinder models now had 310 horsepower. The big news was the addition of a 5.0-litre V10 turbodiesel engine that made 310 hp and a whomping 553 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm.
That diesel was short-lived, however, as it was gone by 2006. There was more power again, however, for 2007, with the replacement of the V6 with a new 3.6-litre motor rated at 280 horsepower; the V8 retained its 4.2-litre displacement but gained 40 horsepower for a total of 350.
A rather hefty curb weight – even base Touaregs weighed in at around 5,000 pounds, or 2,300 kg – meant that the Touareg did not enjoy favourable fuel consumption ratings. Expect an older V6 model to use at least 14.6 L/100 km (city) and 10.3 L/100 km (highway), while V8 models carry ratings of 17.3 L/100 km (city) and 11.8 L/100 km (highway). In 2005, the diesel was the economy champion, with ratings of 13.8 L/100 km (city) and 9.2 L/100 km (highway). The newer, larger V6 is rated at 15.1 L/100 km (city) and 11 L/100 km (highway).
 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. Click image to enlarge |
Consumer Reports isn’t kind to the Touareg, noting a number of trouble spots. These include problems with the all-wheel drive, fuel delivery, electrical, climate control and audio systems, as well as issues with the suspension and power equipment. Here’s what a browse of VW forums on the web revealed about the T-Reg’s durability.
In the Problems/Bugs section at ClubTouareg.com, there’s a lengthy discussion about a rough downshift from the automatic transmission when decelerating after a long highway drive.
A mouldy/stale smell from the ventilation system is most likely caused by a clogged air conditioning condenser drain line.
   2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8; photos by Greg Wilson. Click image to enlarge |
Read this informative thread for information about wiggy tire pressure monitoring sensors.
If you have trouble shifting a Touareg out of “Park,” it could be due to an electrical connector becoming damaged by the driveshaft.
The Touareg was available with an adjustable air suspension system; this is a useful tool if you take your truck off road, but be aware that maintaining such a system on a vehicle that’s out of warranty will be quite expensive.
In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the Touareg scored four stars each for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impacts, and five stars each for front and rear seat occupant protection in side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) didn’t crash test the Touareg.
Used Touareg values range from $21,225 for a 2004 V6 model, to $53,500 for a 2007 V8 model with the optional air suspension. Naturally, the Volkswagen is far less expensive than the structurally-similar Porsche Cayenne. That either makes the Touareg a good deal for a nice SUV with great German genes, or an overpriced vehicle from a company that used to specialize in inexpensive vehicles.
As with many complicated luxury vehicles, buying a used Touareg with little to no remaining warranty coverage is something best left to buyers with deep pockets. If you can manage the maintenance, however, the Touareg is a rare SUV that combines satisfying on-road performance and off-road ability.
Start your on-line search at ClubTouareg.com. This is a busy forum, dedicated exclusively to VW’s first SUV. Next stop is the Touareg section at VWVortex.com, another busy resource. Register here and you have access to one of the best on-line time wasters for car nuts everywhere, The Car Lounge. You might also want to try the Touareg section at VolkswagenTalk.com, though this doesn’t appear to be a terribly busy site.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004259; Units affected: 882
2004-2005: Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 120. The tire pressure label, located on the driver’s side B-pillar, does not indicate the vehicle GVWR and GAWR or the recommended wheel rim size. The tire size, rim size and inflation pressure information was also not given on the compliance certification label. However, the combination of the tire information label and the certification label adjacent to each other on the driver side B-pillar provides the GAWR, GVWR, tire size and inflation pressure information. Correction: Since this does not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004187; Units affected: 2,872
2004: Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114. The steering wheel does not lock when the key is removed from the ignition switch using the optionally provided override device that permits key removal in the event of electrical system failure or when the transmission is not in the Park position. Correction: Since this does not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004163; Units affected: 1,684
2004: On certain vehicles, the rear seat safety belt latch attachment bolt may be insufficiently riveted, which could result in a reduced capability of the belt latch to withstand the applied loads. During a crash, the occupant may not be restrained as intended, which could result in injuries. Correction: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat belt buckle.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2003177; Units affected: 63
2004: On certain vehicles, improperly routed Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) wiring harness may contact the parking brake cable spring. If this occurs, the TPMS wiring circuit may be interrupted, resulting in an inoperative TPMS and a potential short-to-ground condition that could result in a fire. Correction: Dealer will re-route the TPMS wiring harness.
Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy.
For information on recalls, see Transport Canada’s web-site, www.tc.gc.ca, or the U.S. National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)web-site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
For information on vehicle service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
For information on consumer complaints about specific models, see www.lemonaidcars.com.