[fincher]

Diesel is perfect for an SUV unless you live in an urban area with short commutes. I love my TDI. 58k on the clock and I average 25-26mpg. Best ride I've ever owned.

 

[JFDD]

I have changed my 2011 Acura MDX Elite at the end of January. I purchased the 2015 TDI execline. For the diesel noise I would certainly not worry about it. At -22 Celsius in the morning it is certainly not noisier than the MDX and in the vehicle you will never really realize the diesel sound. Also the TDI operates at a much lower RPM so it is very quiet. Yes the hp is lower but the torque makes up for it. In the MDX you press on the throttle, it will shift down, and go. In the TDI it just goes! Honestly not knowing I would say the TDI has a lot more power.

I agree with you for the space. Although the size is almost identical the interior space is less but still better than Jeep GC. Last fall I tested the 2014 with my Travel Trailer and what a difference compared to the MDX. Although we did over 7,000 km and the MDX did ok I am really looking forward to the torque with the Touareg.

 

[cukoodukoo]

I have changed my 2011 Acura MDX Elite at the end of January. I purchased the 2015 TDI execline. For the diesel noise I would certainly not worry about it. At -22 Celsius in the morning it is certainly not noisier than the MDX and in the vehicle you will never really realize the diesel sound. Also the TDI operates at a much lower RPM so it is very quiet. Yes the hp is lower but the torque makes up for it. In the MDX you press on the throttle, it will shift down, and go. In the TDI it just goes! Honestly not knowing I would say the TDI has a lot more power.

I agree with you for the space. Although the size is almost identical the interior space is less but still better than Jeep GC. Last fall I tested the 2014 with my Travel Trailer and what a difference compared to the MDX. Although we did over 7,000 km and the MDX did ok I am really looking forward to the torque with the Touareg.

Thanks for the input.Could you compare the road noise and seat comfort between the two?For now the only factor to reconsider is giving up that cargo capacity of the MDX.I was planning to test drive one this weekend but got busy.

 

[JFDD]

I think comfort is very comparable and road noise maybe a little less. Being in Canada I have not yet driven this one on the all season tires. I purchased 18" rims with snow tire for the winter. One thing I did notice is that it seems to just stick to the road compared to my MDX that also had really good winter tires of the same size.

When you do test drive you need to ask to have the vehicle for a least a few hours on your own. Most people don't realize that this can be done. I had the 2014, the 2015 was not in yet, out for a full day and drove it around for over 150 km. Also took the time to look at the way everything worked. (GPS, Bluetooth etc..) No surprises when I got my 2015. Adaptive cruise control, lane change warning and the 360 camera all works great.

I had 3 MDXs before the Touareg and just loved them. It was a hard decision and the Touareg had big shoes to fill in my mind. Although I have only had it for a few weeks I am happy with my decision.

 

[soccer247]

Keep in mind when calculating fuel economy there is a considerable cost difference between diesel and regular (and/or premium) fuel. In Southeastern PA, the difference has been dramatic as of late.

 

[2blueyam]

Sometimes diesel is cheaper than premium. Right now it is a lot more expensive. I believe over the long haul, premium and diesel are priced about the same. Although the recent trend could be a paradigm shift and not just a short term thing.

Oil changes and extended warranties are also generally more expensive with the diesel than the V6. Buying def (AdBlue) and fuel additives (optional) also contribute to the higher running costs. I tow, so for me the TDI was the best choice. No regrets even with the current price of fuel.

 

[JFDD]

I agree that price difference between the premium required in the MDX vs the diesel is minimal. What do you tow? I will be towing a Kodiak 200QB at approximately 5,000 pounds when loaded. With the MDX is was getting around 24 L/100km and the MDX was working hard.

 

[2blueyam]

I just tow a 12 foot enclosed v-nose trailer (6'6" interior height 6' wide) 15 foot total length usually loaded to around 3000lb. I get about 17 mpg (16.6 l/100km) when towing 60-65 mph. 16 mpg if I am running a bit faster on the freeway - say 69 mph. The TDI isn't even working hard and always feels secure when towing the trailer.

 

[VR6Exec]

The Touareg is a great car. Built like a tank, excellent fuel economy with the diesel and 8-speed auto and good space in the rear cargo area. Just watch out for the dreaded steering wheel shake between 65-80 MPH. I wish someone would have warned me before I dropped $60k on a new vehicle. Well documented on this forum and seems to effect some but not all cars.

 

[Totoro]

Sometimes diesel is cheaper than premium. Right now it is a lot more expensive. I believe over the long haul, premium and diesel are priced about the same. Although the recent trend could be a paradigm shift and not just a short term thing.

Oil changes and extended warranties are also generally more expensive with the diesel than the V6. Buying def (AdBlue) and fuel additives (optional) also contribute to the higher running costs. I tow, so for me the TDI was the best choice. No regrets even with the current price of fuel.

I hope it is not a paradigm shift for a few reasons. Diesels are generally better for the environment than hybrids and electrics - at least until the grid converts to non-fossil fuels. And commercial transportation relies on diesel, so sustained high diesel prices will end up fueling inflation. Finally, many of us in the north heat our homes with diesel and high prices have created hardships for lower income families.

Here is a news article on diesel prices
http://www.overdriveonline.com/diesel-still-projected-to-average-less-than-3-in-2015/

 

[cukoodukoo]

The Touareg is a great car. Built like a tank, excellent fuel economy with the diesel and 8-speed auto and good space in the rear cargo area. Just watch out for the dreaded steering wheel shake between 65-80 MPH. I wish someone would have warned me before I dropped $60k on a new vehicle. Well documented on this forum and seems to effect some but not all cars.

That's exactly what I think right now. The SWS is bothersome. I can tolerate an occasional problem but a problem with no solution is worrisome.

 

[VR6Exec]

Exactly why I sold mine, it drove me crazy.

 

[cukoodukoo]

Exactly why I sold mine, it drove me crazy.

Is this SWS something that becomes apparent over time?or is it something u pick up on the test-drive?

BTW what did you get after the touareg.

 

[noobytoogy]

Of those that suffer it, most seem to get it immediately, but some others have suffered when they rotated their wheels at, say, 10K.

Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly so, if you haven't got SWS, don't rotate is my advice!

 

[Oregon TDI]

Agreed, Touareg tires seem to wear very evenly. Maybe more evenly than any vehicle I've owned. There seems to be almost no need for rotation. Of course if there's an alignment issue, your experience could be different.

SWS seems to be present on Day 1 in most cases. Should show up in a careful test drive if you know to check for it.

 

[pjod]

Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly so, if you haven't got SWS, don't rotate is my advice!

Unless you have full size spare tyres and wheels which are the same as you have on the vehicle, in which case you will need to rotate the spare(s) on to keep wear even and hence OD of tyres. This will enable you to use the spare as a real one and not be limited in speed when you change (to 80kph/50mph) correct Nooby?

 

[noobytoogy]

Correct!

Gold star awarded to model pupil!!

 

[VR6Exec]

Agreed. Mine was there from day one, however I did not feel it on my test drives which included a highway run at higher speeds. It seems that some roads exacerbate the SWS more than others. Many here have the problem. Re torquing lugs helps, others have had some success with VW replacing the brand of tires and road force balancing methods, but regardless, Volkswagen has not taken ownership of this major problem. Some members of this forum were successful in having VW buy back their Touaregs but the process was long and painful. Bottom line for me, it ruined the driving experience of the car. Who wants to hold a steering wheel of a brand new $60k car and feel it shimmy on the highway like a 1973 Dodge with 100,000 miles on the odometer - and it was worse when braking. No thank you, I dumped the car. What did I get? I ordered a new 2915 Porsche Macan Turbo and love it!

If this does not scare you, then go crazy. 121 pages of discussion on this forum:

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f...m/forums/f44/2011-touareg-steering-wheel-shake-please-only-post-here-77157.html

Good luck!

 

[VR6Exec]

Here's a great real world example:

 

[nm2003]

Agreed. Mine was there from day one, however I did not feel it on my test drives which included a highway run at higher speeds. It seems that some roads exacerbate the SWS more than others. Many here have the problem. Re torquing lugs helps, others have had some success with VW replacing the brand of tires and road force balancing methods, but regardless, Volkswagen has not taken ownership of this major problem. Some members of this forum were successful in having VW buy back their Touaregs but the process was long and painful. Bottom line for me, it ruined the driving experience of the car. Who wants to hold a steering wheel of a brand new $60k car and feel it shimmy on the highway like a 1973 Dodge with 100,000 miles on the odometer - and it was worse when braking. No thank you, I dumped the car. What did I get? I ordered a new 2915 Porsche Macan Turbo and love it!

If this does not scare you, then go crazy. 121 pages of discussion on this forum:

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f...m/forums/f44/2011-touareg-steering-wheel-shake-please-only-post-here-77157.html

Good luck!

Good luck with the Macan. They also have lots of issues.

SWS is minor compared to some of the issues on their main Macan forrum site:

Known issues list - Porsche Macan Forum

All cars have issues. Enjoy the badge. You are paying a lot more for your your car, which is way smaller than the Touareg and can't tow as much, and that 7" display was tiny.

On the bright side, everyone was happy with their Macan, considering all the problems the owners were experiencing. Something about brand loyalty.