2004 Volkswagen Touareg Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
A pleasant blend of the pavement-dwelling crossover and the rugged off-roader swathed in Volkswagen style.
Pros
Upscale interior, polished road manners, amazingly adept off-road, solid construction, lengthy standard equipment list.
Cons
Poor fuel economy, not a lot of room in the backseat, no in-dash CD changer.
What's New for 2004
The five-passenger Touareg is an all-new midsize SUV from Volkswagen. Designed to provide both excellent handling on pavement and a high level of off-road ability, the Touareg, despite its unibody design, is a real SUV, not a soft-roader. Alongside that, buyers can look forward to beautifully furnished cabins equipped with plenty of standard convenience and safety features.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Engine, Electrical & Tire Problems
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
AVOID ALL TOUAREG VEHICLES. Read the internet on how rotten VW support is. My T is driven gently by my wife. We go through a set of tires every year or so, have had many electrical problems including completely replacing the wiring harness. At 43,000 the engine simply froze. A couple months out of warranty for months owned but within the period for mileage. VW is giving us grief about replacing the engine. I guess they think that it is ok for an engine to blow at 40K. Dealers seem great but you have to deal with VW of America. They are simply terrible. I would look at the internet for VW problems and VWA support before buying ANY VW product. Sorry...I have owned 4 VW's but no more.
Favorite Features
road handling.
Suggested Improvements
Engine, wiring, suspension, tires...you name it.
Great SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
Been driving the V8 w/ air suspension since new. After 75K miles I still love it. Electrical/computer issues at the beginning, but dealership fixed them and no problems since. Yes it eats a lot premium gas, tires and brakes, but it is a high performance vehicle. The trim is a little too VW'ish and wearing out too quickly. Carving mountain roads with the air susp and Pirelli tires is very impressive. Handles winter weather better than Audi A6. If you are comfortable with high operating costs and not having the finest interior trim, this is great high performance value when compared to the Porche, Audi, BMW products.
Favorite Features
Well balanced and powerful package.
Suggested Improvements
Better quality interior trim.
Attention Ralph Nader
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 1 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
Review
The Touareg is possibly the worst car of the modern era. There is a Horse Drawn Wagon that circles our city square that has proven more reliable than my Touareg. The problem I am experiencing is no reasonable dealer will take this vehicle on trade. I am essentially stuck with the vehicle and the $100 oil changes, $1400 dollar yearly brake jobs and constant need for premium gas. Which gets pricey considering this vehicle has the fuel efficiency of a HUMMER. Despite the hit on my resale, I don't want anyone else to get stuck with a Touareg. Frankly, I hope Volkswagen stops makings them - and I can sell mine to a museum.
Favorite Features
None.
Suggested Improvements
Go back to the drawing board. Additionally, I would suggest sending letters of apology to all of the current Touareg owners.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Touareg - Don't Buy It
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
Review
I have had the vehicle for approx 4 years. It has continuous problems. In the past 2 mos, I have driven it only 3 days, the remaining days it has been in the shop. The following has been "replaced" : the instrument control panel, cruise control system, back up sensor system, tire monitoring system, water reservoir & Drive Shaft. I have replaced brake pads & headlights. There is a noise the dealer cannot find. It has lost computer modules, so the entire computer system was erased and reloaded twice. If you are thinking about purchasing this vehicle do not do it. I have been paying for a Touareg and driving a loaner Jetta. This is one high priced Jetta.
Favorite Features
Comfortable
Suggested Improvements
Stop making the Touareg. That may be the only solution.
Solid performing SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 8cyl 6A)
Review
This has been a great SUV. I read a lot of disgruntled reviews which you would expect to see on this site, but my experience has been satisfying with this truck after driving it for four years. I use it to tow a race car each month and it has great towing power. I haven't had any of the electrical or tire issues like others - I regularly rotate and align the vehicle which has definitely helped. Put new tires on at 25K miles. This SUV also performs extremely well in the snow or winter driving conditions with its AWD system. If considering the V6 vs. the V8, stop considering and immediately get the V8. This SUV is way too heavy for the V6 and MPG difference is nominal.
Favorite Features
V8 power, SUV luxury, Porsche chassis & Audi engine with $15K discount, strong towing capability up to 7700 lbs, great in foul weather, comfortable ride
Suggested Improvements
Annoying door chimes and beeps, fold- down seat mechanism could be improved, more standard features for the price
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
- 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
- 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
- 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
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