2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Delivers 28 MPG

Set to go on sale later this year the Volkswagen V6 TDI diesel engine equipped with the 8 speed automatic gearbox will not only produce 406 lb-ft of torque but also 28 mpg on the highway. The EPA rates the V6 TDI Touareg at 19 city and 28 highway, figures more easily associated with midsize sedans rather than SUVs with 7,700 pounds of towing capacity. Volkswagen credits the 460 pounds weight decrease for the improvement in fuel economy.

Can the improved fuel eocnomy allow the Touareg to steal sales away from the competition such as BMW X5 and Acura MDX?
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Joe_Limon - 7/21/2010 11:50:18 PM

-2 Boost

That's super impressive for 7700lb towing capacity!

LexusKindaGuy12 - 7/22/2010 12:24:12 AM

+4 Boost

I love how the headline says 28, but that the combined is only 22.

Gas used annually: 17.9 barrels
Annual tons of C02: 9.6

Just to put things into perspective, RX450h has EPA estimates of a combined 30
Gas used annually: 11.4 barrels
Annual tons of C02: 6.2

Joe_Limon - 7/22/2010 12:43:20 AM

-1 Boost

yes, but the rx450h has a 3500lb towing capacity, so of course it's going to get better fuel economy. Heck the Ford Escape Hybrid also has 3500lb towing capacity and 32mpg combined. and 10.7 barrels and 5.8 tons... and however those numbers impact the environment... point being, this isn't a light weight suv.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 7/22/2010 2:22:05 AM

+4 Boost

yes...but the escape hybrid doesnt have 290hp...

Joe_Limon - 7/22/2010 3:05:21 AM

-1 Boost

who cares? My point wasn't that the escape hybrid is better than the rx hybrid, my point was that the escape hybrid, and the lexus hybrid are in a different class of vehicle altogether. With this tdi touareg, you can finally pull a fairly large trailer and still get fuel economy that is comparable to most midsized cars. It offers full sized suv functionality, which neither of the traditional "fuel sipper" suv's offer.

monster - 7/22/2010 9:06:20 AM

+2 Boost

I am confused. What does towing capacity has to do with the MPG figures above. I believe these MPG figures are calculated without any load. Once you put load on these vehicles, the MPG figures are totally different.

However, 28MPG for an SUV is quite impressive. Will it take away sales from X5 and MDX? I don't think so. It will probably take away sales from 4 runner, or even it's own Audi Q7.

chewy - 7/22/2010 7:10:01 PM

+1 Boost

the towing capacity indicates that this is a real SUV and not a reshaped minivan like most crossovers out today.

85bmw745i - 7/22/2010 1:17:39 AM

+3 Boost

That is getting my attention. My next vehicle was going to be an X5 3.0 diesel. I always liked the Toureg but liked the performance and fuel economy of the BMW better. Now I am beginning to look back at VW. They are very nice and well put together. The interior is one of the nicest. Plus the VW is actually good off road. Something you can't do with a tahoe...err I mean escalade or the BMW. If only I could have gotten a diesel in my Discovery II. The fuel mileage in it is horrible! but I love what it can do and do take it offroad.

quizz - 7/22/2010 12:54:12 PM

+1 Boost

Beware the quality control. The BMW may not have the numbers on paper, BUT past Touregs have been a disaster in terms of quality. I'd say wait at least 3 years after the model is released for VW to work out the electronic issues that always plague new VW models.

freeagent - 7/22/2010 6:28:11 AM

+1 Boost

The Toureg's main issue is its quality history. Once that is fixed and reflected in the usual ratings, this product will do well. Until then, it's an also ran.

ChiAutoGuy - 7/22/2010 7:11:01 AM

+1 Boost

Will be interesting to see how it is priced. My current favorite in the upscale mid-size suv segment is the Q5, if this is priced better and has similar quality and better gas mileage it will definately deserve a look.

Blindcorner - 7/22/2010 12:53:46 PM

+2 Boost

450 lbs lighter! That's no small tomotoes. I wonder what was taken out, hopefully nothing that diminished it's off road/all terrain capability.