THE MOST POWERFUL AND MOST EXPENSIVE VOLKSWAGEN! 2021 VW TOUAREG R PLUGIN-HYBRID REVIEW

EV Channels Review

The 2021 Volkswagen Touareg R Plug-in Hybrid is presented as the most powerful and expensive VW, boasting 462 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The reviewer highlights its sporty yet elegant styling, particularly the blacked-out accents on the R model. Inside, the spacious and comfortable cabin is noted, with good headroom and a pleasant seating position. However, the infotainment system and the new capacitive steering wheel buttons are criticized for being complicated and not intuitive to use, despite the large digital displays. The driving experience is described as comfortable, with a good balance between sportiness and comfort, though it's noted as being softer than competitors like the Porsche Cayenne. A significant drawback mentioned is the unavailability of rear-axle steering on the R plug-in hybrid model, a feature considered crucial for enhancing the Touareg's driving dynamics. Real-world fuel economy is reported to be around 10 liters/100km (20 mpg US) on a mixed highway and electric driving cycle, suggesting limited benefits from the plug-in hybrid system unless primarily used for city driving. The price, reaching up to €100,000 with options, is also considered steep, especially given the missing rear-axle steering.