Volkswagen introduced two days ago the first pictures of the second generation Touareg. Although producer in Wolfsburg is a trademark of volume, the Touareg is one of its models that are heading into the premium segment. Thus, the new Touareg Volkswagen is equipped with a hybrid powertrain and with many technological elements worthy of a segment higher, price or following to frame, as if the previous generation, somewhere between the two segments.

These elements are enough to make the third generation of the Touareg a competitor’s X5 and ML, or it remains just a competitor for Veracruz and other similar models? To make a comparison, I put the new Touareg face with both his opponents directly from the premium segment, as well as those represented by the brands of volume.

NOTE: We have excluded from the calculation of the group’s brothers Touareg, Q7 and Cayenne models are built on the same platform and is the final life cycle, waiting for new generations, and introduced the current generation compared to his Jeep Grand Cherokee , because there are insufficient data on the new American model.

DESIGN

Touareg vs. premium segment (BMW X5, Mercedes ML, Toyota Landcruiser, Volvo XC90, Land Rover Discovery 4): The appearance of the new VW Touareg is the new design as the first line that have adopted those of Volkswagen. The model in Wolfsburg stands out in its segment with a fresh design, though history has shown us that the aesthetic was usually left the plane by two manufacturers of such models. However, design is an important chapter for some holders of premium SUVs, the clients who use it very often their off-road abilities. In terms of design, Touareg running on the same line with X5 and ML, since taking a line of modern design, while XC90 and Land Cruiser design work on a little more sober line. Land Rover Discovery and it is designed in a sober style, upgraded to a minimum, which rely on the function and not necessarily the form.

Touareg vs. non-prize segment (Hyundai Veracruz, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Tribeca): Touareg is the neat pattern of non-premium segment, and the only rival in terms of image “fresh” as Hyundai Veracruz. Subaru Tribeca has a design that has escaped many of the sins of B9 and manages to point out was especially clear in the interior, while the Nissan Pathfinder and Mitsubishi Pajero are a classic design.

Premium: 1. VW Touareg (6p) 2. BMW X5 (5p) 3. Mercedes-Benz ML (4p), 4-6. Toyota Land Cruiser (3p), Land Rover Discovery (3p), Volvo XC90 (3p)

non-premium: 1. VW Touareg (6p), 2-4. Hyundai Veracruz (5p), Mitsubishi Pajero (5p), Subaru Tribeca (5p) 5. Nissan Pathfinder (4p) 6. Jeep Grand Cherokee (3p);.

INTERIOR

Touareg vs premium: The interior space is an important chapter for premium SUVs, where models are chosen for the interior space and quality, and when we speak of a model over thousands of euro 50-60 we can not tolerate low quality materials or poor finishing. Linear and simple style of the Volvo XC90 brings to tail ranking Swedish model, while the Land Cruiser remains behind the large number of buttons and quality of plastic used in the cockpit. Top three models in this segment is composed of German models, which won both in terms of finishes and materials, and in terms of integrated technology components. However, the interior of the Volkswagen is not up to the level offered by the Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Land Rover still sober style of English and the interior designs and space provided it is situated between the level of Toyota Land Cruiser and VW Touareg, as wheelbase or 2885 mm.

Touareg vs Non-premium: For our non-premium SUV, the most important criterion to inspect the Sheets is the interior space, and only then materials. A show quite clearly the interior space is the wheelbase, as it gives us a pretty good idea of the size of the space offered to passengers. Besides coming with top materials – worth 2010 – Volkswagen Touareg has the largest wheelbase of the entire non-premium segment.

Premium: 1. Mercedes ML (6p) 2. BMW X5 (5p) 3. Volkswagen Touareg (4p), 4-5. Land Rover Discovery (3p), Volvo XC90 (3p) 6. Toyota Land Cruiser (2p)

non-premium: 1. Volkswagen Touareg (6p), 2-3. Nissan Pathfinder (5p), Subaru Tribeca (5p) 4. Hyundai Veracruz (4p), 5-6. Jeep Grand Cherokee (3P) Mitsubishi Pajero (3p)

PRICE

Touareg vs Premium: By our estimates, the new Touareg will be slightly more expensive than the current generation of this model, but customers who choose a Touareg in Romania will benefit from the fact that all engines meet the Euro 5, which would significantly reduce the cost of Touareg’s acquisition, most likely at the current level of generation currently available in Romania. The cheapest Touareg costs 39,207 euros in Romania, being the cheapest model in the premium SUV segment. Volvo XC90 cost more than one idea, 39,437, but will be replaced in the next two years because the current model already has eight years of his career in 2006 plus a facelift operation. Climbing up the price scale, Toyota Land Cruiser has a starting price of 47,705 euros, and Mercedes-Benz ML goes from 52,568 euros. The most expensive model in this segment is the BMW X5, which has a starting price of 56,406 euros. The cheapest version of Land Rover Discovery has a starting price of 41,626 euros.

Touareg vs Non-premium: Hyundai Veracruz SUV is the cheapest of our comparison, with a list price of 33,915 euros. Veracruz is followed closely by the Nissan Pathfinder with 34,669 Euro, Mitsubishi Pajero with 36,674 euros, while VW Touareg will cost, according to our estimates, about 39,000 euros. Thus, the Touareg will be cheaper than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Subaru Tribeca.

Premium: 1. VW Touareg (6p) 2. Volvo XC90 (5p) 3. Land Rover Discovery (4p) 4. Toyota Land Cruiser (3p) 5. Mercedes ML (2p) 6. BMW X5 (1p)

non premium: 1. Hyundai Veracruz (6p) 2. Nissan Pathfinder (5p) 3. Mitsubishi Pajero (4p) 4. Volkswagen Touareg (3p) 5. Jeep Grand Cherokee (2p) 6. Subaru Tribeca (1p)

ENGINES

Touareg vs premium: The new VW Touareg will be available in three engine versions, two diesel and a hybrid FSI unit. Land Cruiser is available in Romania in one diesel version, a 3.0-liter D-4D. Mercedes-Benz ML diesel is offered in four versions and three versions Otto, while BMW X5 is offered in two versions of petrol and two diesel versions. Volvo XC90 is offered in two versions of diesel and two petrol versions. Both BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have created a hybrid version of their models and the Touareg has now received a hybrid version in order to live up to this challenge. Land Rover Discovery provides model with two diesel engines, which offers 190, 245 hp respectively.

Touareg vs Non-premium: Volkswagen offers the richest range of engines for the Touareg in comparison with other non-premium SUVs. Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and the Hyundai Veracruz is offered with a single diesel Mitsubishi Pajero is offered with two diesel engines, while Subaru Tribeca model gives only a gasoline engine. Although Tribeca is the most powerful entry-level version, the Touareg is the winner in Chapter variety and also offers a hybrid.

Premium: 1. Mercedes-Benz ML (6p) 2. BMW X5 (5p) 3. VW Touareg (4p) 4. Volvo XC90 (3p) 5. Land Rover Discovery (2p) 6. Toyota LC (1p)

non-premium: 1. VW Touareg (6p) 2. Mitsubishi Pajero (5p) 3. Nissan Pathfinder (4p) 4. Hyundai Veracruz (3p), 5. Jeep Grand Cherokee (2p) 6. Subaru Tribeca (1p)

DIMENSIONS

Touareg vs premium: The long SUV is the BMW X5 in our rankings, with 4857 mm and a wheelbase length is unmatched by 2933 mm. In second place is the Land Rover Discovery, which has a length of 4829 mm, a width of 2022 mm and a height of 1887 mm, while its wheelbase is 2885 mm. New VW Touareg has a length of 4800 mm, a width of 1930 mm, a height of 1710 mm and a wheelbase of 2900 mm.

Touareg vs Non-premium: Things are complicated when we Touareg face to face with non-premium models. While Pajero is the most long-segment model, Jeep Grand Cherokee is the widest pattern of this comparison, and the champion is still high Pajero.

Premium: 1. BMW X5 (6p) 2. Land Rover Discovery (5p) 3. Volvo XC90 (4p) 4. VW Touareg (3p) 6. Mercedes ML (2p) 6. Toyota Land Cruiser (1p)

non-premium: 1. Mitsubishi Pajero (6p) 2. Subaru Tribeca (5p) 3. Hyundai Veracruz (4p) 4. Volkswagen Touareg (3p) 5. Jeep Grand Cherokee (2p) 6. Nissan Pathfinder (1p)

PERFORMANCE

Touareg vs Premium: Although the performance of an SUV can be measured both on the outside public roads, and road, we will summarize, in the absence of tests and some clear figures for all models, a comparison of dynamic capabilities on the road. Thus, except versions of performance is the fastest SUV BMW X5 xDrive 50i version, which bear to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds.

Touareg vs Non-premium: Touareg SUV available is the most powerful non-premium segment, and the Subaru Tribeca is the place 2, offering 258 hp and acceleration 0-100 km / h of just 8.9 seconds. Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in third place with 9 seconds and 218 hp, while the Veracruz, Pathfinder and Pajero are left behind.

Premium: 1. BMW X5 (6p) 2. Mercedes-Benz ML (5p) 3. VW Touareg (4p) 4. Volvo XC90 (3p) 5. Land Rover Discovery (2p) 6. Toyota Land Cruiser (1p)

non-premium: 1. VW Touareg (6p) 2. Subaru Tribeca (5p) 3. Jeep Grand Cherokee (4p) 4. Hyundai Veracruz (3p) 5. Nissan Pathfinder (2p) 6. Mitsubishi Pajero (1p)