2012 Volkswagen Touareg ESi

The Volkswagen Touareg was all-new for 2011. The Volkswagen Touareg features a choice of gas, diesel or hybrid power, an 8-speed automatic, and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system designed to handle true off-road use or improve stability on ice. The Touareg can tackle the most rugged of terrain yet cruise down the highway in luxurious comfort, and Volkswagen claims it's one of the safest automobiles of all time. A new hybrid gas-electric version headlines the Touareg lineup. The Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid is the most powerful and the most expensive. The Hybrid couples a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 TSI engine to an electric motor to give the Touareg an effective 380 horsepower, with an EPA-estimated 20/24 mpg City/Highway (21 miles per gallon in the federal government's Combined city/highway fuel economy calculations). The Hybrid requires Premium gasoline. Least expensive and, in our view, most fun to drive is the Touareg VR6 FSI Sport, which uses a 280-hp V6 engine EPA-rated at 16/23 mpg City/Highway (21 mpg Combined). It runs on Premium gasoline. The Touareg V6 TDI Clean Diesel features a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel with 225 horsepower that's EPA-rated 19/28 mpg (22 mpg Combined).