Volkswagen Touareg vs Audi Q8: an SUV sibling rivalry

Expertise sharing is widespread within the motoring world. Whether or not it’s particular person parts – such because the Maserati MC20 supercar utilizing the identical inside door releases as a Fiat 500 – or platform sharing, you don’t have to look far to seek out similarities between apparently totally different vehicles. 

The Volkswagen Group has lengthy been a grasp of utilizing its tech in a wide range of functions, and its MLB Evo platform – for automobiles with a longitudinally mounted entrance engine – is a main instance.

On the prime of the tree it underpins luxurious SUVs such because the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus, however a lot of the identical tech may be discovered within the lately revised Volkswagen Touareg. The nip and tuck goals to maintain issues contemporary, and the identical applies to the MLB-sharing Audi Q8. With each vehicles having a lot in widespread, is the lure of a fancy badge price it? Or does the VW provide all the things you really want?

Volkswagen Touareg

The Touareg examined right here is in Black Version trim. With an non-obligatory power-folding towbar with trailer help (£1,195) and Chilli Purple paint (£1,100), our check automobile involves a complete of £72,665.

Tech highlights 

One of many advantages of the VW Group’s MLB platform system is the massive entry to know-how that it brings. There are a variety of suspension and powertrain configurations, and the Touareg takes benefit of this with air springs, lively anti-roll methods, four-wheel steering and an digital differential lock. Nevertheless, none of this tech is as superior or concerned because the package on the disposal of a Bentley Bentayga, for instance. 

For the revised Touareg, VW has launched extra distinct variations between the driving modes, so there’s a pronounced change within the behaviour of the air suspension and adaptive dampers when switching between Consolation and Sport settings.

Final yr, diesel-powered fashions made up 7.5 per cent of the UK new-car market. Whereas that’s not a patch on what they as soon as occupied, it’s nonetheless a tenth of a proportion level forward of plug-in hybrid automobile gross sales, and diesel nonetheless is sensible in giant SUVs such because the Touareg. It has a 3.0-litre V6 turbo unit with 282bhp and 600Nm of torque, which arrives from simply 1,750rpm and continues by to three,250rpm. Nevertheless, in contrast to within the Audi, there’s no hybrid help for the Touareg’s diesel.

Security: The Touareg was awarded 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2018, so it should should be retested this yr for it to have an up-to-date ranking. Amongst its many normal options are curtain airbags, lane-keeping help and traffic-sign recognition, whereas the revised mannequin has a roof-load sensor, which adjusts the air suspension to account for the next centre of mass, when a roof field is loaded, for instance.

On the street

There’s a transparent deal with consolation in the way in which that the Touareg behaves on the street, which makes good sense for a automobile of this dimension.

Round city:  There’s no disguising the Touareg’s giant dimension at low speeds, and it’s massive and unwieldy when parking. The automobile’s weight may be felt when shifting off, too; the V6 diesel and eight-speed gearbox use an considerable variety of revs to get the wheels rolling. The journey is easy, however doesn’t maintain side-to-side actions tightly managed at low speeds, so that you’ll sometimes really feel like your head is being rocked round.

A & B-roads: A twisty B-road isn’t the Touareg’s pure residence. Nevertheless, the physique is stored fairly nicely in examine and grip is respectable, so whereas it isn’t remotely enjoyable, it’s steady and safe. The trade-off is a journey which, at greater speeds, is nice at filtering out imperfections within the street. 

The diesel engine is completely suited to this utility, too. There’s loads of energy low down, so acceleration is available in one steady surge from lower than 2,000rpm. It’s sturdy, too, as a result of the 6.4-second 0-62mph time feels totally plausible. It even makes an honest noise; the bassy growl is easy, and for probably the most half you’d be laborious pressed to inform it’s a diesel.

Motorway: On a motorway the Touareg’s journey high quality turns into even higher behaved. The speed of the air springs feels completely suited to the kind of lengthy, low-frequency bumps you’ll discover on broad, largely straight roads. The engine settles down right into a distant hum and pulls minimal revs in eighth gear, and each street and wind noise are nicely contained. It’s even frugal; in our arms it returned over 40mpg at a gentle 70mph.

Possession

The revised Touareg will get some very refined styling tweaks, most of which centre across the lights. A lot of the chrome on the grille has been toned down – there’s none in any respect on this Black Version – however regardless of the absence of shiny trim, the entrance has change into much more vivid, courtesy of an LED lighting strip that spans the total width of the entrance panel. 

That is mirrored on the rear by a full-width gentle bar which, for the primary time within the UK, options an illuminated VW brand at its centre. The adjustments are rounded off with a spread of latest wheel designs. 

Inside, the changes are refined. The structure is way the identical, however VW has made a number of surfaces softer to the contact. These embrace padding on the centre console to make it extra snug towards the knees, whereas the door panels additionally achieve a extra squidgy foam backing. The driving place is suitably lofty, and there’s loads of adjustment.

The VW Group hasn’t lined itself in glory with regards to the possession expertise, although. Of the 32 manufacturers surveyed in our 2023 Driver Energy satisfaction survey, VW took a disappointing twenty seventh, however that was nonetheless forward of Thirtieth-placed Audi. Each manufacturers present a three-year guarantee, however Audi additionally affords three years of breakdown cowl to the 12 months that Touareg consumers obtain.

Storage: On the entrance of the decrease part of the dashboard, there’s a giant cubby for each storing a smartphone and charging it wirelessly. A retractable lid implies that objects may be stored out of sight, too. Behind it are a pair of deep cup- holders, whereas the broad door bins are flock-lined to cease objects from rattling about. 

There are 5 USB-C ports: one within the smartphone bin, a pair beneath the central armrest and two extra for back-seat passengers. At 45 watts, they’re 3 times extra highly effective than the outdated mannequin’s sockets.

Practicality

The Touareg is a strict five-seater, however in the event you don’t want the flexibility of seven seats, then there are few vehicles of any kind available on the market that supply as a lot room. 

Rear House: By any measure – kneeroom, headroom or elbow room – the Touareg is totally huge within the again. This makes it an exceptionally snug place through which to journey lengthy distances – particularly due to a reclining backrest. Massive home windows give an incredible view out, whereas the ISOFIX mounts are a doddle to achieve behind plastic covers, so becoming a baby seat is simple.

Boot: Much more spectacular is the boot quantity. For the diesel, VW quotes a van-like 810 litres of house. The rear seat backs cut up 3 ways, and drop to take a seat utterly stage with the boot ground. On this configuration the general quantity grows to 1,800 litres.

What to purchase?

Which engine and trim we’d select

• Engines: This Black Version is pure inside combustion solely. Value-wise, our 282bhp diesel sits between two different items. For £2,680 much less, the identical 3.0-litre diesel is accessible with 228bhp, whereas a 335bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol prices £1,750 extra. All different Touareg trims are PHEV solely.
• Trim: These fashions embrace the Class, which will get a much less sporty look than the Black Version and a Profit-in-Variety-friendly 376bhp petrol/electrical system. It begins from £69,150. The £80,710 Touareg R has a 462bhp model of the identical plug-in powertrain.
• Our selection: Excessive-mileage drivers and those that tow ought to get one of many diesels.

Audi Q8

Whereas the Touareg’s revisions are refined, solely probably the most diehard Audi fan (maybe much more particularly a Q8 fanatic) would be capable to spot that that is an up to date Q8. The 50 TDI options the identical 3.0-litre diesel engine because the Touareg, however with further hybrid tech, and it begins from £77,770.

Tech highlights 

At first look, the specs of the Q8 and the Touareg are nearly an identical. The pair are primarily based on the identical platform, albeit with totally different wheelbases – the Q8 stretches an additional 92mm between its entrance and rear axles — and the V6 diesel engine produces precisely the identical 282bhp and 600Nm. 

Nevertheless, the Audi’s system additionally advantages from a 48-volt delicate hybrid system, A small lithium-ion battery and belt alternator starter permit the Q8 to get well as much as 8kW of power that may in any other case be wasted, and the automobile makes use of this to scale back the load on the engine beneath acceleration, whereas additionally serving to the stop-start system to fireplace into life extra shortly. It even permits for engine-off coasting for as much as 40 seconds at a time. 

The Q8’s coupe-SUV profile is a little bit misleading, as a result of the Audi is 84mm longer than the VW, plus it’s 11mm wider and 10mm taller.

Security: The Audi was Euro NCAP examined one yr later than the VW and nonetheless scored 5 stars. To get the total suite of security methods, it’s important to pay further; the £1,375 Metropolis Help pack provides blind-spot warning, a collision-mitigation system, cross-traffic alert (which works when each driving backwards and forwards), and even an exit-warning system which warns occupants about approaching automobiles and cyclists when exiting the automobile. The £1,950 Tour pack provides further driver-assist tech, together with adaptive cruise management.

On the street

Given their mechanical similarities, the distinction in the way in which this pair drives is kind of stark. The Audi has a noticeably extra sporty set-up, which brings each positives and negatives. 

Round city:  Even earlier than you set off, the Audi’s mild-hybrid set-up differentiates it from the VW. The engine fires up easily and near-instantly, and continues to be easy when shuffling alongside in busy site visitors or when coasting at greater speeds. 

The journey is noticeably firmer than the Touareg’s, and bigger wheels imply that the Q8 fidgets about extra at low speeds. Nevertheless, there’s much less of the side-to-side sway that impacts the VW.

A & B-roads: The firmer suspension brings higher physique management, and there’s much less pitch and dive beneath laborious acceleration and braking, too. It’s not enjoyable to drive as such, however it’s spectacular contemplating the sheer mass the suspension is working with. 

Whatever the street you’re on, we’d keep away from the Dynamic drive mode altogether. On this setting the Q8’s suspension turns into a bit heavy-handed, thumping the street into submission relatively than flowing with it. Even in its softest setting a few of this angle stays, so the Q8 isn’t as snug because the Touareg.  

Motorway: That firmness may also be felt at pace to a level, however the trade-off is unflappable stability, which can also be helped by steering that’s each a contact heavier and extra exact than the Touareg’s. 

Formally, the Audi wins the 0-62mph dash by three tenths of a second, however the distinction between the pair attaining motorway speeds in the true world is nearly unattainable to note. The eight-speed automated gearbox is easy for probably the most half. 

Possession

If the Touareg’s mid-life beauty updates are laborious to identify, they’re much more refined right here. The face nonetheless bears Audi’s large, signature ‘singleframe’ grille, however there are new inserts. Beneath these, the aspect intakes are a little bit bigger than earlier than, and mix into the decrease a part of the bumper. Three new paint finishes – Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue, and Chilli Purple – can be found, whereas 5 new wheel designs, starting from 21 to 23 inches, can be found. Little has modified on the again, however the tailpipes have been reshaped.

Even much less has modified within the cabin, however as earlier than, the Q8’s high quality is unattainable to fault. Every little thing is flawlessly completed, and all of the touchpoints really feel costly. The excellent news for Audi drivers is that there’s little proof of VW borrowing elements from the posher model – at the least for the bits you possibly can see. Some would possibly discover the look a little bit medical, however the putting of the main controls and vary of driving place adjustment are each wonderful. 

As with the VW, the Audi’s air-conditioning controls are confined to a touchscreen, however they’re higher executed right here, as a result of they get their very own touch-sensitive panel beneath the principle unit. The big on-screen keys imply that, for methods of this kind, it’s pretty straightforward to make use of. It additionally makes use of haptic suggestions, however it’s difficult to evaluate how laborious you must press, notably whereas driving. With that in thoughts, we’d nonetheless favor bodily knobs and switches if we had the selection.

Storage: That secondary display screen for the local weather features implies that the Q8 loses out on the huge smartphone storage that occupies that house within the Touareg. As an alternative, the smartphone-charging space is hidden in fairly a shallow cubby beneath the central armrest. Within the VW, the glovebox door and storage space are multi functional, whereas within the Audi the door opens to revealing a bigger house inside. The Q8’s door bins are massive, however the rubberised lining isn’t as elegant because the Touareg’s carpeted pockets.

Practicality

Being smaller right here is relative when each vehicles are so fantastically sensible, however the Q8 can’t fairly match the Touareg.

Rear House: Regardless of an extended wheelbase, the Audi has very barely much less kneeroom than the VW. It’s additionally a matter of millimetres behind for headroom, however it’s nonetheless a spot the place the tallest of passengers will simply get snug. The center seat could be very broad, however the base is agency.

Boot: At 605 litres, the Audi’s house isn’t fairly as roomy because the VW’s, however continues to be large. The boot ground is a little bit greater, even when the air suspension is dropped. House apart, it misses out on one or two helpful touches that the VW affords. For instance, seat-release levers aren’t accessible within the Audi, so that you’ll have to go to the aspect doorways if you wish to drop the seat backs. They go away a ramp up from the ground, too, however there’s a most house of 1,755 litres.

What to purchase?

Which engine and trim we’d select

• Engines: For the time being the Q8 isn’t supplied with any kind of plug-in hybrid powertrain, and decisions are restricted to the 55 TFSI petrol (the identical 335bhp unit because the Touareg will get) or the 282bhp diesel – the previous a negligible £55 cheaper than the 50 TDI. Nevertheless, the sporty SQ8 and RS Q8 each characteristic turbocharged 4.0-litre V8s and produce 500bhp and 592bhp respectively. 
• Trim: There are three ranges to select from. The TDI vary kicks off with the £73,220 S line, the Black Version begins from £77,770 and the tech-laden Vorsprung prices a hefty £97,020.
• Our selection: The S line can be nice for many consumers, and the diesel is a superb match.

Outcomes

Which automobile comes out on prime?

Winner: Volkswagen Touareg

If you’re in a position to overlook the Volkswagen badge at this value level, you then’re actually getting the very best tech that the Group has to supply with out the inflated value of extra fascinating manufacturers. 

The Touareg is snug, its diesel engine is powerful, whereas each inside and boot house are nice. Cabin high quality has improved barely (one of many few considerable adjustments from earlier than) and costs are stronger than ever, which implies that it’s an interesting giant SUV for many who don’t need to shout about it.

Runner-up: Audi Q8

The sporty nature of the Q8 offers it a persona that some will love. It appears crisp and fashionable, giving it extra desirability beside the Touareg, and its coupe-like roofline has little impact on the spacious cabin. 

A agency suspension set-up makes it extra enjoyable to drive, but in addition harms journey consolation. We’d count on a hybrid system to make it extra frugal than the VW, however the reverse was the case. With a powerful low cost it might be tempting, however the present value hole means it’s laborious to justify.

Rivals and different choices

The Touareg wins our twin check, however what else is on the market?

The nice debate

What the Auto Specific check crew would do…

John Mcllroy, editor–at–giant: “Audi is about to unleash an enormous mannequin onslaught over the subsequent yr or so, which can see the overwhelming majority of its vehicles both overhauled or changed utterly. So whereas Audi didn’t win this contest, it’s set to be a massively thrilling 2024 in Ingolstadt.”

Richard Ingram, deputy editor: “Giant electrical SUVs are going to steal the limelight from diesels, and probably the greatest we’ve tried in latest months is the Kia EV9. The massive Korean challenges the Germans for cabin high quality, whereas its 380bhp twin-motor set-up helps it outsprint the Q8 on the way in which to an official 313-mile vary.”

Daybreak Grant, image editor: “It’s actually price doing the sums earlier than selecting between the diesel and PHEV variations of the Touareg. The plug-in mannequin prices extra to purchase, so that you’ll have to do a number of quick EV-powered journeys with religiously common costs in the event you’re ever to make your a reimbursement.”

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief: “If you wish to look outdoors of the VW Group, then there are some very sturdy rivals to contemplate. The BMW X5 is one among our favourites, due to its easy journey and tech-laden cabin, whereas the Land Rover Discovery is an identical dimension, however with the additional benefit of a roomy seven-seat cabin.”

Pete Gibson, senior photographer: “I ran a Touareg as a fleet automobile again in 2019, and it was good. I lined an enormous mileage to get to photoshoots, however our Touareg took all the things in its stride, overlaying 15,000-plus miles in lower than a yr whereas averaging 35.8mpg.”

Which might you purchase? Tell us within the feedback part beneath…

Specs and costs