VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 4X4 READER REVIEWS

My car

Refined, powerful and well assembled from high quality materials - as it should be, given the thoroughly upmarket price. The interior is a serene environment in which to cover longish distances...engine noise at cruise is commendably low...the sat nav and ICE are excellent, while steering and brakes are top notch...it is actually fun to drive through one's favorite bends in this large and (over) heavy vehicle. On the negative side, the car is hard to place during parking due to its sloping nose, though the OPS is pretty good, and the mirrors could usefully be a tad larger. The Escape is excellent off-road - it could go anywhere a Defender could reach, provided you were willing to risk the expensive scratching and thumping noises...tractor tracks are easily negotiated. The auto transmission is unobtrusive, which means it works very well. I am very impressed with this vehicle overall - though I'd like it even more if it weighed 1,500 kg. The styling to my eye is restrained and purposeful (though not on the Altitude, with its boy racer front add-ons). Overall, a strong 4.5 out of 5. Best, Dave Forbes