Volkswagen Touareg

Name: 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
Brand: Volkswagen

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

This version of the Touareg is a luxury SUV with a quiet and plush interior imparting a truly premium ambiance. It delivers agile handling, a firm, steady ride, ample interior room and very comfortable seats.

2012 SUVs Reliability

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Volkswagen Touare...

Volkswagen Touareg

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

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2005

2006

2007

2008

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2011

2012

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2016

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2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2012 Midsized SUVs Ratings

2012 Volkswagen Touareg

$6,700 - $9,650

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Equinox

$4,525 - $5,250

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Edge

$5,600 - $7,300

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 GMC Terrain

$5,150 - $5,800

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Crosstour

$6,875 - $9,025

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

$6,400 - $14,875

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Wrangler

$9,825 - $13,100

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda CX-7

$4,550 - $6,375

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Murano

$5,075 - $6,350

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Outback

$6,225 - $7,050

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Venza

$7,550 - $10,575

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

3-liter V6 hybrid (380 hp)
3-liter V6 turbodiesel (225 hp)
3.6-liter V6 (280 hp)

8-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2011-2017

2011 Redesign Year

The Touareg's 2011 redesign made it much better, an agile, solid, well-finished SUV with comfortable seats and a plush interior. The V6 turbodiesel, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, pulls strongly and is relatively refined. Some low-speed transmission shifts could be smoother. The low-speed ride is overly firm. Access is easy and towing capacity is generous. The V8 engine has been dropped in favor of a hybrid model, and the base 3.6-liter engine is carried over. The redesigned SUV weighs less than the original Touareg but has lost its low-range, off-road gearing. Changes for 2016 included vented seats for the V6 Lux versions, a power-adjustable steering column, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist for the V6 Executive model. The Hybrid and TDI versions were discontinued. The Touareg was dropped after the 2017 model year.

2004-2010

2004 Redesign Year

The Touareg is a luxury SUV co-developed with the Porsche Cayenne. Unlike most car-derived SUVs the first-generation Touareg was an impressive off-roader. On regular roads the ride is compliant, though a bit jiggly at low speeds. The interior is very quiet. Handling is responsive, with sharp steering. The cargo area is slightly smaller than the Passat wagon's and many controls are overly complicated. The 3.2-liter V6 gulps premium fuel and struggles to move the Touareg's 5,200-pounds, so acceleration feels lethargic. For 2005, the V6 gained 20 more horsepower, and a 3.6-liter unit replaced it in 2007.