Car Statistics: Volkswagen - Touareg Series 10 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

The original Touareg's understated good looks have been neatly sharpened by the addition of Volkswagen?s current corporate nose. The car?s handsome, Germanic interior doesn't spring any surprises, but its ergonomic precision and beautiful finish is likely to satisfy most potential buyers.

Handling (3 stars)

The new Touareg has shed an impressive 200kg over its predecessor, but don't expect that to have transformed the car's handling. Despite general competence and well-controlled body roll, Volkswagen's SUV is still lacking its competitor's dynamism. The slight feeling of detachment is offset by decent refinement though, and that will be enough for the Touareg's core buyer.

Comfort (4 stars)

The Touareg is certainly comfortable. Presented with a decent stretch of tarmac, the car will waft around with some panache. Force it to negotiate a rutted road at slow speeds and bumps will bustle their way into the cabin, but the ride quality is never less than satisfactory.

Quality (4 stars)

Volkswagen's finish it normally very high in quality, and it's no different in the Touareg. The faux wood trim should be avoided, but otherwise the car's interior is an attractive mix of premium materials and conservative styling. Refinement on the road is also towards the top of the class.

Performance (4 stars)

The Touareg's gutsy engine line-up means the SUV never feels slow. The 3.0-litre V6 TDI will be the bestseller for price reasons, but it also offers the most convincing mix of economy and performance. The all-new 4.2-litre V8 TDI is quick and refined, but painfully thirsty if driven hard. The hybrid seamlessly blends its power sources, but the eco-benefits are largely illusory and the petrol engine lacks the low down grunt of the diesels.

Roominess (3 stars)

The new Touareg has swelled slightly and this does increase legroom in the rear. The boot is big enough, but there's still no option for a third row of seats. Put the rear seats down and load space expands to a convenient 1642 litres.

Costs (3 stars)

The entry-level V6 TDI is the most economic engine, returning a quoted 38mpg against the hybrid's 34mpg. Volkswagen claims the V8 TDI will return 31mpg, but in our experience you'd need to drive with the patience of a saint to achieve that. No version will prove cheap when it comes to taxation, although the hybrid will be exempt from the London congestion charge.

Value (3 stars)

The Touareg's prices aren't confirmed yet, but the car is likely to be significantly cheaper than its premium rivals. This will make the car attractive to those hunting for the SUV's enviable levels of comfort and refinement, but the top-spec Ford Kuga does lurk ominously beneath the Touareg's prospective price tag.

Stereo (4 stars)

The Touareg's twelve speaker Dynaudio system is very good, as is Volkswagen's polished sat-nav. Both come as standard in all trim levels.