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It's new, aggressive and accompanied by an impressive heritage of automotive retailing experience. Yes the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg will fit that description but so will Kansas City's newest Volkswagen dealership. Joining the ever-expanding line of manufacturers represented by the Jay Wolfe Automotive Group, Volkswagen and Audi bring exciting new models to what may be the fastest growing dealer group in the country. Sale of the Volkswagen and Audi dealerships to the Jay Wolfe Automotive Group completes the end of the Cunningham family involvement in Kansas City automotive retailing. Volkswagen has never been stronger in their new model lineup and future offerings. From the eclectic Eurovan to the upcoming luxury Phaeton, Volkswagen is also new, aggressive and accompanied by an impressive heritage. Even though the original rear-wheel-drive, air-cooled Beetle finally ceased production last year in Mexico, the new Beetle carries on a rich heritage of almost cult like following. This past weekend I put the newest Volkswagen to the test. As I picked up the new 2004 Touareg from Jay Wolfe Volkswagen in South Kansas City, I was anxious to see how Volkswagen interpreted their first sport utility vehicle. From the first few miles I appreciated the value of luxury at an affordable price. While the market is crowded with $35,000 - $40,000 sport utility vehicles, few have combined as much pure luxury and rugged off-road capability as our $37,715 test vehicle contained. The Touareg is a handsome vehicle with masculine bulging fenders and a look that is set apart from most sport utility vehicles. As Volkswagen moves upscale the Touareg contains styling cues of future luxury development. At first I thought I would need the 310 horsepower V8 version to quench my thirst for power on the highway, but after a few miles I felt totally comfortable with the 220 horsepower V6. Of course the fact that the V6 produces 225 feet-pounds of torque enables you to move this 5,000 pound vehicle from stop to highway speeds effortlessly. An oversimplification of terms would tell you that higher torque number move you from a dead stop faster, while higher horsepower numbers are important at highway speeds. Another way to look at these ratings is that torque measures slower engine speed while horsepower measures faster engine RPM's. I became even more satisfied with the V6 when I realized the V8 version of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg is almost $6,000 more than the base V6. Both versions have a very efficient and sophisticated all wheel drive system complete with one of the best transmissions in the industry, a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic. Anti-lock brakes are standard equipment. While comfortable in suburban parking lots the Touareg named after a nomadic tribe in the Sahara can be quite effective off road. So confident of its off-road capabilities, Volkswagen will see a specially prepared Touareg compete in the Dakar Rally in January. Inside the Touareg is an experience in attention to detail and luxury. Our vehicle came with the optional Premium Package, which upgraded the seats and center console. Very solid and quite, the interior cabin will provide hours of comfortable traveling. The moon roof is one of the quietest I have ever experienced when open at highway speeds. Interior lighting is adequate and appreciated for those dark nights. Speaking of interior lights, the instrument cluster is quite handsome bathed in a red glow. Volkswagen did it right in their first sport utility vehicle that is at home both off road or at the Plaza. A blend of utility and luxury makes this a vehicle that one will want to keep long after the new car smell is gone.
2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 Base MSRP: $34,900
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©2003 - Stan Risener