Touring with the Volkswagen Touareg

I love to travel and tour, as most people do. But like me, most people with a full-time job find it difficult to go off on a trip. And if you live in Metro Manila, getting out of the city is an even bigger and more stressful production. However, I recently realized that having the right car can make road travel a more realistic possibility even for traffic-ridden urban dwellers like me.

When Volkswagen created its first luxury sport vehicle, they aptly called it the “Touareg” (pronounced “Twa-Reg”)—after the Berber-speaking nomadic people known for their physical and mental toughness.

Not only did the Volkswagen Touareg live up to the reputation of its namesake, it outdid the nomadic Touareg tribe with the exceptional power, performance and sophistication of a Volkswagen SUV. Since it was introduced in 2002, the VW Touareg has been known for its serious off-road capabilities and everyday practicality.

Like a seasoned traveler that learns from prior trips, the 2016 Touareg Sport Edition shows that this model keeps getting better each year.

The 2016 VW Touareg SE is equipped with a 3.0L V6 Common Rail Turbo Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine that delivers maximum output of 245ps at 3,800-4,400 rpm and maximum torque of 550 Nm at 1,750-2,750 rpm. This translates to powerful acceleration, high-speed capability, with smooth maneuvering.

Within Metro Manila, the Touareg was a pleasure to take to my work and errands.  For an SUV, it was compact enough to go through narrow streets or weave through traffic. Inside, its leather seats and spacious interiors kept me comfortable. With its sporty yet elegant look, it made me feel extra confident knowing that I was riding a car that looked as good outside as I felt inside.

After a tiring work-week, my parents invited me to join them for a weekend at Baguio Country Club. Normally, I would have chosen to stay home to do paperwork and recover during the weekend. But the thought of driving the Touareg long-distance was appealing, enough to break the monotony of my weekend routine.

My drive to Baguio made me appreciate the Touareg’s other features. Its 4MOTION Permanent All-Wheel Drive distributes power to all four wheels, giving optimum traction on varying surfaces even on adverse weather conditions. The Air Suspension maintains a smooth ride on rough terrains. The Touareg easily managed the steep parts of Kennon Road and Baguio City, as it has a climbing ability of 45 degrees.

More importantly, I felt safe with the Touareg’s arsenal of safety features. My favorite among them are the electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering, 8-Channel Park Distance Control, and Rear Assist rear view camera.

What impressed me the most with the Touareg is its fuel efficiency. Human travelers can only go as far as their resources would take them—like their money or physical energy. The Touareg is like a runner that has a lot of endurance before it needs to take a water break. I filled up the Touareg’s 85-liter tank. After my roundtrip from Bonifacio Global City to Baguio and back, the Touareg did not even consume half of the full tank. Best of all, the Touareg runs on diesel (which is always cheaper) but drives and accelerates as if it had a gas engine.

How to keep your passion for traveling? Get a travel buddy who will make you go out and explore the world. Like the tough nomadic people once called the “Touaregs,” the Volkswagen Touareg is a car that will inspire and equip you to be on the road regardless of the terrain or weather conditions.