For 2011, Volkswagen's Touareg gets a much-needed freshening along with the sizable weight reduction.
The second-generation Touareg benefits from visual upgrades that bring the SUV in line with the new Volkswagen look embodied by the Golf and Polo. There's nothing radical here, but judging by how little the first-generation Touareg changed over the course of its life, this is a body style to which dealers should become accustomed. Is it an SUV that will age well until the third-generation model arrives?
The 2011 Touareg's grille is similar to that of the Golf and Polo: long and directly connected to the headlights. Those headlights feature LED accents, a detail that supports the high-end place this SUV will have in Volkswagen's lineup.
The profile view holds few surprises besides new wheel designs. In back, the taillights curve upward slightly, a subtle change makes the rear view a bit more dynamic. Huge exhaust pipes do that too, though not necessarily in a good way.
To be honest, we would be happy spending time in the interior of the 2010 or 2011 Touareg. It's inside where some of the more major visual changes have taken place. A giant navigation display in the dash has forced the separation of the air vents. As in the 2010 Touareg, the new Volkswagen SUV features plenty of wood and silver trim. Completing the interior changes is a more attractive three-spoke steering wheel than the four-spoke unit in the outgoing SUV.
So the tweaks to the Touareg are more evolutionary than revolutionary. Is that a good thing? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Last week, the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg's brother -- the 2011 Porsche Cayenne -- was featured in this space.
Many commented on the improved interior. "Finally the Cayenne looks like it belongs in the Porsche lineup," said Porsche74.
True_enthusiast wasn't so positive: "Better but still ugly."
Source: Motortrend
