: 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG TSI HYBRID

[marwan25]

nventional wisdom suggests that VW would reap the most benefits by plopping a hybrid powertrain under the hood of, say, its top-selling Jetta sedan rather than its lowest volume model, the Touareg SUV.

Yes, a Jetta hybrid is on the way, but VW has instead chosen the big bruiser T-reg to be its first ever model to feature gasoline and electric propulsion. After a week behind the wheel, VW’s seemingly arbitrary decision became both clearer and muddier at the same time.

Let’s take a look.

What is it?
Bowing last year in its second-generation configuration, the Touareg is not your average take on a luxury SUV. Hardly fitting in with VW’s more Americanized (take that how you will) lineup, the Touareg is loaded with tech and luxury at a none-too-insubstantial price.

Ever since the nameplate’s introduction all the way back in the heady days of 2002, VW has been toying with engine configurations for its flagship SUV. Long gone is the torque monster V10 turbodiesel and even the V8 gas motor. Instead, the Touareg offers a mainstream gasoline V6 with 276 horsepower, a turbodiesel V6 with 237 horsepower (and 406 lb-ft. of torque) and the model tested here, a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 mated to a 46 horsepower electric motor and a nickel metal hydride battery.

Curiously, the Touareg Hybrid is both more expensive and less efficient in the EPA’s combined city/highway testing than the Touareg TDI, which makes it a tough sell on paper. However, VW is betting eco-minded buyers will see the benefits of improved urban fuel economy and a swanky blue Hybrid logo. Plus, the Touareg Hybrid serves as a good test bed before the Jetta Hybrid hits the market with a downsized powertrain.

What’s it up against?
Midsize luxury-grade hybrid SUVs aren’t as uncommon as you might think. Lexus was first to market with its RX 450h, but Mercedes-Benz’s ML450 Hybrid is a recent addition to the fray.

If cargo space isn’t an issue, BMW will be happy to sell you one of its ActiveHybrid X6s, but the automaker doesn’t offer an X5 with the hybrid powertrain.

But perhaps the Touareg Hybrid’s biggest rival will be parked across the showroom – the Touareg TDI.

Any breakthroughs?
You betcha – that electric motor slots in between a supercharged, direct injected V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission to produce a combined 380 horsepower and 425 lb-ft. of torque. On its own, the 333-pony V6 is an impressive unit, but the torquey electric motor spruces things up quite nicely.

Keeping the electric motor going is a 174 lbs. 288V nickel metal hydride battery with 240 individual cells. Although not as advanced as the ltihium ion units popping up in other hybrids, the battery packs plenty of charge.

How does it look?
If we didn’t know better, we might not have realized that the Touareg is in its second generation. That’s not a bad thing, however, since this jellybean of an SUV has aged very gracefully. Its proportions are distinctive but not superfluous; not a single crease or bend is unnecessary.

We especially like the front fascia, which blends VW’s current design themes with some more upscale chrome touches and complexly detailed headlamps. Hybrid badges abound, although none are tastelessly in-your-face like the stickers festooned to the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon’s side flanks.

Our tester’s five-spoke alloy wheels were wrapped in Michelin low rolling resistance rubber not suited for off road jaunts.

And on the inside?
Toned down from the complicated and button-savvy first-generation Touareg, the new model still offers plenty of gee-gaws and doo-dads. The look is conservative and in line with VW’s latest offerings, but unlike the redesigned Jetta, everything looks and feels completely appropriate for the price. Trim simplification has undoubtedly reduced parts and assembly costs, but not at the expense of an outward appearance. Memo to VW: This is how you do an interior. Don’t forget.

A symmetrical dashboard affronts the first class occupants. Tastefully detailed in real wood trim, the dashboard features two big LCD screens – one between the tach and speedo and one front and center above the climate and audio controls. Although that main LCD absorbs some controls, the interface is remarkably easy to piece through. It lacks little other than some Sirius data functionality (you can’t check your stocks, for instance), but its simple menuing system is at the absolute opposite end of the spectrum compared to Ford’s challenging MyFordTouch setup.

The center console features the requisite Tiptronic shifter with its own manual-style gate, as well as an electric parking brake and an E-Mode that keeps the gas engine from kicking on in light duty low-speed conditions like a big, luxurious golf cart.

The second row is just as well equipped as the first, with individually heated, reclining seats, copious leg room and manual sun shades to keep the paparazzi at bay. An expansive, nicely detailed and especially tall cargo bay awaits owners’ Louis Vuitton luggage – or at least an American Tourister set.

Materials and assembly were top notch throughout, reminding us very much of the VW of yore – or at least the VW that doesn’t design cars specifically for the American market. Every bit of the Touareg felt as luxurious as any premium-badged rival – besting the RX 450h and ML450 Hybrid at their own game.

But does it go?
Although VW chisled away about 400 lbs. from the outgoing Touareg, the Hybrid is no lithe machine as evidenced by its 5,135 lbs. as tested curb weight. Still, the torque monster powertrain moves this ‘ute with authority, making it feel positively rocket-like from any speed. Downshifts are quick, often coming two at a time, which helps this powertrain make the most of its grunt. In fact, VW quotes a 0-60 figure of just 6.2 seconds, making the Touareg Hybrid one of the fastest vehicles to wear the stylized VW logo.

The supercharger is essentially inaudible and the V6 produces only a mild growl at the upper reaches of the rev range. Unlike many rivals, engagement and disengagement of the electric motor is utterly seamless. Only a glance at the center console display or the tachometer gives any indication that the gas guzzler is in dormant mode.

With all that power on tap, it was easy to hammer the Touareg’s throttle while we zipped around town and on the freeway. As a result, we recorded way below average fuel economy until we started driving a little more sanely, taking special care to coast when feasible in order to shut down the gas engine. Driven in Andretti mode, the Touareg returned an abysmal 14-15 mpg. Thinking more like a Whole Foods regular, we saw upwards of 23 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the highway – figures that best the 20/24 mpg the EPA suggests. For the record, the not-quite-as-powerful (but torquier) Touareg TDI is rated at 19/28 mpg.

Fuel economy was only part of the Touareg’s story, however. Sublime power steering delivered just enough road feel to make the SUV feel reasonably sporty. Ride quality was superb, ranking among the best we have ever tested. Simply put, the Touareg’s front and rear double wishbones soaked up every inch of bad pavement we could tackle.

Highway driving really seemed like the Touareg’s strongest suit. Direct steering and virtually no wind or road noise combined with a rockin’ 620-Watt Dynaudio stereo to make this SUV an easy choice for all day excursions during our evaluation.

With no low range on offer in the Hybrid, we didn’t feel compelled to leave the pavement. The all-wheel-drive system features a Torsen center differential to send power back and forth, while a sophisticated stability control system helps each wheel make its own decision. Grip was outstanding in the wet on our tester, even with its low resistance Michelins.

Why you would buy it:
You’re dead set on a hybrid SUV with all the trimmings.

Why you wouldn’t:
You noticed that green pump at your local Texaco.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Oozing with well-engineered refinement, the Touareg is at the top of its game – something not too many buyers seem to be noticing. Although sales are up, VW probably won’t find more than 5,000 new owners in the U.S. this year. Those who sign on the dotted line will be rewarded by one of the most complete SUVs on the market.

Despite our raves for the hybrid, the Touareg TDI still strikes us as the more sensible choice. It doesn’t give up much in terms of luxury or power, it costs less and it returns significantly better fuel economy. At $50,000 and change for a well-equipped Touareg, it ain’t a cheap proposition. But unlike VW’s highest volume model, its niche ‘ute makes a real case for itself regardless of powertrain.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg TSI Hybrid base price, $60,565. As tested, $61,385.
Destination, $820.