2012 Volkswagen Touareg

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Rating8.0

Ranked #3 in 

Fullsize SUV
Write Review
$43,375 - $58,595
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Engaging driving dynamics

No third row not even as an option

Remains unchanged for 2012

Upscale cabin

Unimpressive braking performance

Impressive towing capacity

Expensive top trim

Specs & Features

$48,955

price

225 hp @ 3500 rpm

horsepower

406 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl AWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg SUV is a proud member of the midsize SUV segment, locking horns directly with the Volvo XC60, the Acura RDX, and the BMW X5. Spread across 3 trim levels, the Volkswagen Touareg SUV starts off at a base price of MSRP of $43,375. Its 3.6L V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission give the SUV 280 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 7.8 seconds and boasts a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the Volkswagen Touareg SUV manages to get a combined EPA rating of 19 MPG, a below-average number for the class, giving its rivals an edge. It also has a ground clearance of 7.9 inches. 

Buying Advice

The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg SUV is a capable and premium offering from the brand. Among the trims on offer, we recommend getting the mid-level Lux trim that comes equipped with features including a panoramic sunroof, heated side view mirrors, walnut cabin accents, leather upholstery, 12-way power front seats with power lumbar support and driver memory presets over the base trim. 

Trims

    Sport
    $43,375 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual zone climatronic automatic front AC
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Leatherette seats
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    Luxury
    $48,855 onwards
    • 19-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Navigation system
    • Parking assist
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    Executive
    $54,255 onwards
    • 20-inch silver aluminum Wheels

Compare to similar cars

Price

$43,375- $58,595

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.01

Horsepower

280 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque

406 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$43,030- $54,555

Gasoline

7.68

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

7

Read Review

$46,250- $59,950

Gasoline

7.9

280 hp @ 4920 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

7

Read Review

$47,500- $64,200

Gasoline

8.17

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,500- $45,765

Gasoline

7.88

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

7

Read Review

$35,985- $49,585

Gasoline

7.99

308 hp @ 6800 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,660- $41,035

Gasoline

8.08

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

8

Read Review

$38,755- $56,075

Gasoline

7.6

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

9

Read Review

$42,220- $58,115

Gasoline

7.36

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

9

Read Review

$28,995- $43,195

Gasoline

7.95

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

Read Review

2012 Volkswagen Touareg vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.3 sec15.4 sec-
    6.6 sec15.2 sec-
    2012 BMW X5

    Ranked #2

    6.9 sec15.1 sec-
    7 sec15.4 sec113 mph
    7.2 sec15.5 sec-
    7.4 sec15.4 sec122 mph

    2012 Volkswagen Touareg vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      16 mpg23 mpg19 mpg26.4 gal.422.4/607.2 mi.
      23 mpg28 mpg25 mpg16.6 gal.381.8/464.8 mi.
      18 mpg25 mpg21 mpg19.2 gal.345.6/480 mi.
      17 mpg24 mpg19 mpg22 gal.374/528 mi.
      17 mpg24 mpg19 mpg22 gal.374/528 mi.
      16 mpg23 mpg19 mpg24.6 gal.393.6/565.8 mi.

      2012 Volkswagen Touareg vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        188.8 in.76.4 in.68.2 in.7.9 in.113.9 in.
        222.4 in.79.1 in.76.8 in.9.1 in.130 in.

        2012 GMC Yukon XL

        Ranked #1

        222.4 in.79.1 in.76.8 in.8.9 in.130 in.
        207.7 in.79.3 in.77.2 in.9.8 in.123.2 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.
        205 in.78.4 in.70.4 in.7.2 in.118.9 in.

        2012 Volkswagen Touareg vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          32.1 cu.ft.101.4 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          40 cu.ft.100.9 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.
          16.9 cu.ft.143.8 cu.ft.108.9 cu.ft.
          23.3 cu.ft.153 cu.ft.115 cu.ft.
          36.2 cu.ft.132.7 cu.ft.71 cu.ft.

          2012 Volkswagen Touareg vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            64 cu.ft.32.1 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.-
            43.6 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.-
            71 cu.ft.36.2 cu.ft.71 cu.ft.-
            65.2 cu.ft.36.2 cu.ft.72.6 cu.ft.-
            29.9 cu.ft.17.2 cu.ft.84.5 cu.ft.-
            73 cu.ft.23.3 cu.ft.115 cu.ft.-

            2012 Volkswagen Touareg vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              7700 lbs.1287 lbs.4711 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1652 lbs.5448 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1652 lbs.5505 lbs.
              8200 lbs.1728 lbs.5372 lbs.
              8100 lbs.1528 lbs.5672 lbs.
              7200 lbs.1532 lbs.4753 lbs.

              Top Volkswagen Cars

              2012 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid SUV

              Horsepower : 380 hp

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7.1 sec

              #1

              2012 Volkswagen Routan

              Horsepower : 283 hp @ 6350 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #2

              2012 Volkswagen Touareg

              Horsepower : 280 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #3

              2012 Volkswagen CC

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 6.8 sec

              #4

              2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7.3 sec

              #5

              2012 Volkswagen GTI

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 7.4 sec

              #6

              2012 Volkswagen Beetle

              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #7

              2012 Volkswagen Golf

              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 7.7 sec

              #8

              2012 Volkswagen Jetta

              Horsepower : 115 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 11 sec

              #9