2006 Volkswagen Touareg Consumer Reviews

Major Issues

Written by: ttrag on 09/02/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V6 4dr SUV AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have had my car into the shop multiple times for issues with the computer and they can not seem to get them straight. Most recently I have had to replace the brakes (including the rotors). I was told by someone in the service department that this was very common and that there were a lot of "Unhappy Touareg Customers". I was basically told that I would have to spend $1,500 dollars every two years on the brakes with this car. To add to this...when I called into Volkswagen's customer care department and was told that the problem was merely related to my driving habits. I have children or pets in my vehicle most of the time and I assure you that my driving habits are average at most.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Tons of fun

Written by: AADAM on 06/26/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI 4dr SUV AWD (4.9L 10cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

I love driving my Tdi Touareg daily. It is a blast; tons of torque and hp which makes it a lot of fun. We put the car on a rolling chassis dyno to see what it would do and how much power and torque it would lose through the drivetrain; from the engine to the tires. We were pleasantly suprised. It is rated at 310 hp and 554 lb-ft at the motor so I thought it should put down somewhere around 250-260 hp and 460- 485 lb-ft of torque at the tires. The dyno results surprised us all to say the least; 299 hp and 548 lb-ft torque at the tires; damn near matched the power ratings which were listed as at the flywheel. It is very difficult not to drive it with your foot to the pedal. Brakes are super as well. Super!!

Favorite Features

Love the performance and braking like I mentioned up top. The interior is great too; just wish the nav was touchscreen. I have the brown\tan interior with black paint which looks great.

Suggested Improvements

It'd be great if the suspension controls could be set up where it was possible to lower it another inch or two to make it handle better. Looks really pretty @loading level(the lowest setting). A mesh grill option would be great. Also if the VW emblem in the rear was paint matched between letters.

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Tires/Suspension

Written by: vman on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Fun to drive and excellent winter driving vehicle. Problem: Tire cupping and road noise after 5-6000 miles. Have had tires replaced on two occasions, two alignments and at 32,000 miles VW now says they won't fully warranty the tire issue. Issues not fully resolved yet!!

Favorite Features

Selective transmission and handling.

Suggested Improvements

Weight issue and fuel consumption

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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atrocious brakes

Written by: Brian Randall on 03/31/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V6 4dr SUV AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

In less than 20,000 miles of city driving it is necessary to replace front and back brakes at a cost of $1800.00. This is considered normal according to the service department. I have driven SUVs for 20 years and have never had to replace brakes. Volkswagen offers no assistance and only warranties for 12,000 miles, which is useless. I would warn any potential buyers of the Touareg that they can expect a $1800 brake expense every 12-20,000 miles.

Favorite Features

comfort

Suggested Improvements

improve brakes and advise purchaser that they will incur this expense every 12,000 miles.

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Jenny Craig Has Met Her Match

Written by: Dan on 02/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This car needs to lose 1000lbs. Fast. I just traded a 2006 BMW 330i for my Touarag and love it for what it is. It is a heavy, cumbersome mammoth of a SUV. Truly capable both off and on- road, through any weather and virtually any terrain, even when limited by stock tires. The engine is responsive and flexible, but the transmission hunts for gears way too often. The interior looks well-made; but there are far too many rattles. The gadgets all work together to create marvelous ergonomics, but they're not reliable on a day-to-day basis. Great brakes, fantastic suspension, over-boosted steering. Fuel economy is atrocious, but that's to be expected with a 5200-lb SUV.

Favorite Features

Flexible engine, versatile driving dynamics, great ergonomics, fantastic composure, ride and handling.

Suggested Improvements

Lose some weight! Car feels heavy and overburdened. Improve fasteners and clips on inside of car. Incorporate more modern technology and lighter- weight engine materials to improve fuel economy. Monsoon stereo is terrible. Improve reliability on electrical systems.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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An Opinion

Written by: wscott3d on 01/20/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Controls somewhat cumbersome, transmission is too tight, shifting can be abrubt. But this cars ride and acceleration are tops. I use mine outdoors often, ability to raise body got me through some tight spots. Also has decent tow ability with it's heavy build and motor. the ability to fold seats down allows packing camping gear for 3. When on the road, acceleration in this engine is excellent and mine gives a slight throaty roar during shifts due to the sport gearing. This tranny is DIFFERENT, self shift or select sport gear or just a standard ride. Great city/country car that is reliable.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very Nice Vehicle

Written by: Ensconced on 09/17/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V6 4dr SUV AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This SUV really drives like a car until the weather gets bad and then it drives like a very good SUV. The good comments about how the Touareg handles are not overstating it. I use a hitch mounted bike rack to haul bikes around and the Touareg works great for that. I don't have to worry about how primitive the trailheads will be.

Favorite Features

Overall handling, winter handling, quality of the interior, looks, and the interior smell, love the smell of a Touareg. Makes you forget the MPG.

Suggested Improvements

Audio system. The JBL system in my 98 Expedition blows the base Touareg sound system away. Simplify the controls.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great interior quality, good looking SUV

Written by: HS on 05/01/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V6 4dr SUV AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Very nice SUV. Interior design and quality, power, handles great.

Favorite Features

Interior design and quality, power, handles great.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Touareg V8

Written by: Vermonter on 04/23/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

At first I was hesitant to buy this car because of poor ratings for the 04 model. I'm glad I did. It gets better gas mileage (18 mpg) than the 02 Explorer, had every possible option, sounds outstanding when hitting the gas, and the stereo with navigation is close to what I have in my house. This car drives like the Porsche for about 15K less cash. Excellent capability this winter in the snow, excellent handling.

Favorite Features

Heated seats all around, backup camera, AWESOME stereo, and navigation is fun to use. Change the language to French or Italian for a twist.

Suggested Improvements

Putting the rear seats down takes some getting used to, but plenty of room is made. The parking sensors beep sometimes when you're in slow traffic and close to people in front or behind. But there's a button to turn it off.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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TDI...Great Towing, Comfort & Power!

Written by: TJ on 03/28/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI 4dr SUV AWD (4.9L 10cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

This is my second Touareg. The first was a fully loaded 2004 V8 which I really loved. It replaced my Range Rover Classic. Did everything the Rover did, for $20K less and towed better too. With 100K miles on the V8, I figured I would take advantage of the current discounts on the 06 TDI. The vehicle is identical except for DVD navigation on the new one and of course the V10 twin turbo diesel. The V8 was very fast, but this thing flies. Better yet is the fuel economy.

Favorite Features

Towing capacity. Great interior quality. Good looking design. Power!

Suggested Improvements

Make satellite radio a standard option.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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