Comparison of V-6 T2 with 2005 Touareg V-6

[drkay]

I just leased a 2008 T2 that replaced my 2005 T-reg. Here is a comparison on the two T-regs after 150 miles of city driving in the T2:

2008 T2 V-6, White-gold, luxury package.

• Interior as expected for VW and the Touareg 2, excellent fit and finish and very quiet.
• The increase in Treg-2 horsepower is very apparent from the first drive compared with my old 2005 T-reg.
• Ride and handling is the same as the 2005 T-reg, excellent.
• Color; white gold, is not close to that shown in the VW web site. I do like to color very much but I think I would have renamed it to “chameleon”. When the sky is blue, the color of the car is light blue. In bright sun it looks silver. At dusk it is white gold. Very interesting color, and much different from my 2005 reed green. Makes me wonder what the VW color galapagos looks like, my second choice.
• Love the automatic lift-gate, this should have been on my 2005 T-reg.
• Enjoying the sat radio, never had one of these before.
• Radio: I have the standard radio in the 2008 T-reg 2 as I did not want to pay the extra bucks for an additional package. This radio has no amp above the CD player and no sub woofer. It sounds very “hollow”, just a step above a 1957 Ford tube radio. I also found this radio does not have a speed sensitive volume control like my 2005 T-reg had – a big disappointment. I’ll look for an after market amp and sub, buy this is a lease car so I don’t want to spend tons of money.
• Runs great on the freeway, already had it cruising to 75-85. There is a “thrusty” engine exhaust noise on acceleration. Something different from the quiet 2005. Good stability at high speed, like a train on railroad tracks, even on wet pavement.
• The steering on the 2008 T-reg is much different from the 2005 T-reg. Steering is much more “squashy” on the T2 (almost like a big Chevy or Ford but not as bad) - not a sports car feel like the 2005. I noticed left over-steer and right under-steer on Ex-way curves at high speed. From a steering feel view, VW should come back to the Porsche Cayenne feel rather than moving toward a Chevy Impala steering feel.
• Although I knew this before I leased to 2008 T-reg, I just do not understand how VW could eliminate the motor controlled outside side-view mirrors on the V-6. These are a T-reg classic signature. A very unfortunate cost save by VW Engineering.
• The new mirrors are too “Americanized” in my opinion. You can’t even see the blinking mirror lights when the turn signals are activated. The auto dimming feature is also removed. Big disappointments.
• Forget about attaching 2005 V-8 style exhaust tips to the 2008 V-6, the 2008 pipes have a much larger diameter. Perhaps I can find someone who can weld my old 2005 tips onto the pipes.
• The 2008 air cleaner box appears to be the same size as the 2005 T-reg so I can re-use my old cleaned K&N air cleaner.
• Memory seats are eliminated on the 2008 T-reg V-6, another unfortunate cost save by VW Engineering.
• The tires were a big surprise, Goodyear Eagles. Based on the first 150 miles I think I prefer the ride of the Dunlops (or Pirellis) that came with the 2005, even though they needed replacing at 25K miles.
• Front electrical outlets are off when the key is removed. One of the console outlets should have been programmed “on” at all times.
• Tachometer and speedometer gauges have been slightly changed in position and dial lettering. The speedometer numbers alternate between large and small, I haven’t decided if this is a plus or minus yet.
• I certainly like the headlamp washers on my old 2005 T-reg, which are not available on the 2008 T2 V-6.
• I am intrigued by the TPS and find it most useful. Is it calibrated to STP? My tire gauge reads about 5 psi higher than the TPS system.
• At the very least VW should offer additional option packages or even stand alone options for the V-6 that included motorized and dimming side mirrors, electronically controlled steering wheel adjustment, a stand-along audio upgrade, and memory seats.
• Summary to date, despite the obvious cost saves by VW Engineering, the T2 is still the most affordable of the fine European SUV’s and simply blows away the GM clones and Japanese copies.

[EARL97850]

Well done on the comparison. It is especially interesting to me since I too have a '05 V6. I had not checked out the '08,s yet so I was surprised at some of the changes made due to cost savings.

Well done.

Cya

[chitown alex]

Great write-up! And I agree, there is no Chevy or GMC that can compare to the Touareg, but atleast the cost of repair for one of those isn't as high as the T-Reg. Great info, I'm sure many can use this as decision making wise. Good job

[jd0307]

wow, that was awsome. i myself am a new owner of a 05 V6, package 3. i've been a vdubber for life and recently sold my 04.5 GLI to get a Touareg because i am getting married and you know what comes with that. this was the only suv i even looked at. i wouldn't even consider buying anything other than VW. i looked at the 08 V6's and also noticed the little changes that were made. great post.

[drkay]

I'm to 2k miles and will update my origional post. A few changes like the radio (much better than origionally posted), highway travel 75+ mph still road sensitive and some wondering even with new Nokian tires.

[brendan0918]

Radio: I have the standard radio in the 2008 T-reg 2 as I did not want to pay the extra bucks for an additional package. This radio has no amp above the CD player and no sub woofer. It sounds very “hollow”, just a step above a 1957 Ford tube radio. I also found this radio does not have a speed sensitive volume control like my 2005 T-reg had – a big disappointment. I’ll look for an after market amp and sub, buy this is a lease car so I don’t want to spend tons of money.


I do believe this is present on the T2. I'll have to confirm later.

[drkay]

Yes it does have speed sensitive volume. After I engaged it the sound quality significantly improved. Still not as nice sounding as the "05 Treg with sub, but certainly enjoyable.

[itzbeenone2000]

as far as the sub in your 05 you are comparing oranges to tangerines so to speak. the extra bass from the sub is non directional so it pulled all the sound to you. unlike the straight firing door speakers. Just my 2 cents.

[EV Galapagos]

I just recently got a 2008 T2 mine came with Dunlop tires on 17" rims. I've owned 3 VW's and I'll say the Touareg drives and feels better than my 2006 Jetta 2.0T but comes close to my 2004 Gti 1.8T with it's sport suspension just smoother. Like you I to was disappointed that the power seats don't have a memory what a bummer. Well thanks for that awsome review.

[EV Galapagos]

By the way I bought mine Galapagos, Gorgeous color depending on the lighting it looks like a mean, deep gray or brownish but what ever the situation I love the way it look and everyone that has seen it gives me kudos.