First Drive: The 2022 Touareg Is For Those Who Appreciate A Good Deal Over A Badge

What we like:

Brilliant refinement and composure

well-optioned and good to drive.

What we dislike:

Interior tech takes getting used to.

Car prices now are probably near all-time highs, so every little bit counts, especially when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck.

I think it matters more in a modern, technology-laden car, where key options can make or break how it would drive and handle.

I have driven most versions of the SUVs built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform - suffice to say, it is definitely part of the premium luxury class. Refinement, chassis rigidity and quality are up there with the very best, and it is no exaggeration to say the Touareg feels every inch worthy in the company of its more illustrious Group siblings.

What really helps is that the Touareg - and especially the R-Line trim we tested - is optioned generously. At $399,900 for the Touareg R-Line, you get quite a lot of car for the money: LED matrix headlights, air suspension with dynamic chassis control, all-wheel steering, massage and ventilated seats, a 730W Dynaudio sound system and a host of assistance systems. Some of these options aren’t even standard on its competitors nearly twice its price.

The Touareg Elegance at $366,900 seems like a worser deal in comparison as it doesn’t get the aforementioned goodies, but it still gains Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Park Assist Plus, a 360-degree view camera, soft-close doors and rear window sun blinds over the Touareg of the same generation which disappeared off price lists some 6 months ago.

On a short first drive of the Touareg R-Line, I was utterly impressed with the car’s composure over rough roads, no doubt aided by its pillowy air struts. What’s even better though is its handling; all-wheel steering is a crucial option for heavy and large cars like the Touareg and it makes the car feel smaller and lighter than it really is, reducing the turning radius by 1 metre. In tight car parks, it is way more manoeuvrable than one expects, while in high-speed corners, turn-in is sharp and responsive. Sure, you could probably replicate this handling in the more expensive MLB cars, but chances are, most of those aren’t going to be optioned like this from the factory, and fewer still would take the trouble to indent a car with them.

It wasn’t just all sporty either. The R-Line is set up for a relaxing drive, giving you a massage and engaging you with a powerful sound system, while ventilating your back. Combine this with an ultra-smooth V6 paired with a tepid 8-speed gearbox, it’s a marvellous way to unwind. I initially thought it a pity the 2.0-litre engine wasn’t offered as well to play along with the value theme, but I really do think the V6 ought to be the proper entry-level engine for this class of car.

The tech really works to make your life easier, too. The car impressed in the way it self-drove in heavy start-stop traffic, and also in the way it won my trust while automatically backing into a really difficult parking lot that I would have avoided myself. There’s no need to brake or change gears now, it really is just as simple as holding down a button to park. A little eerie, but immensely clever no doubt.

If I had to nitpick, I think the execution of the interior technology is where the car felt most like a Volkswagen. While the large (and nearly vertical) 15-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are beautiful to look at, they are not very intuitive to operate. I genuinely felt I lost my marbles when I could not locate the odometer (which hides when you activate ACC), and nearly gave up trying to figure out how to toggle the fan speed control. Like many modern cars, most buttons are done away with, which means the interaction with the infotainment system becomes critical to the most basic operations. In this case, the learning curve is pretty steep.

But let’s not let that detract from the fact that the Touareg R-Line is a truly brilliant SUV. It’s the strongest value proposition among its competitive set, which is a real tug of war for the Singaporean psyche - better to get the most equipment for your money, or lust after the badge instead?

Credits: Text by James Wong; Photos by Volkswagen Singapore and Horizon Drivers' Club