Overview

What's New for 2013:

• More horsepower for Touareg TDI model
• Sport trim gets new wheel design
• Vavona wood trim added to Executive trim and Hybrid model
• Touareg Hybrid gains LED brake lights

Exterior Features
The 2013 Volkswagen Touareg is available in V6, TDI and Hybrid models. The V6 and TDI models can be equipped with a choice of Sport, Lux or Executive trim, whereas the Hybrid model only comes in one level of specification.

Standard equipment on all Touareg models includes 18-inch aluminum wheels, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, fog lights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System that helps the driver to see around dark corners.

Interior Features
The Touareg Sport trim includes dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette seats, heated power front seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity and music streaming, and a touch-screen audio system with 8 speakers, satellite radio, and an iPod connection.

Optional Features
The 2013 Touareg is available with larger aluminum wheels, leather upholstery, wood interior trim, panoramic sunroof, navigation system, Dynaudio premium sound system, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, keyless entry, push-button ignition, and more.

Under the Hood
The 2013 Touareg comes with a standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine generating 280 horsepower. The Touareg TDI model is equipped with a turbocharged, 3.0-liter Clean Diesel V-6 engine. For 2013, this engine gets a power boost to 240 horsepower, and still produces 406 lb.-ft. of torque starting at 1,750 rpm.

The Touareg Hybrid model is equipped with a direct-injection, supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine, electric assist motor, and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Standard is an automatic stop/start system, and this model includes a "coasting" feature to improve highway fuel economy. Total system output is 380 horsepower and 428 lb.-ft. of torque. The Touareg Hybrid can travel on electricity alone at speeds up to 30 mph, VW says.

Also standard on each Touareg is an 8-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels through Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg are:

• Touareg V6: 17/23/19 mpg (city/highway/combined)
• Touareg TDI: 20/29/23 mpg
• Touareg Hybrid: 20/24/21 mpg

Safety
The 2013 Volkswagen Touareg is equipped with 6 air bags, 4-wheel ventilated-disc anti-lock brakes with brake assist and hill-descent control, and a traction and stability control system with roll control. Intelligent Crash Response automatically unlocks the doors, activates the flashers, and shuts off the fuel pump when the air bags deploy in a crash. Every Touareg model is also equipped with rain-sensing wipers and bi-xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System. A reversing camera and park-assist sensors are optional.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not tested the 2013 Touareg at the time this overview was written. However, the structurally identical 2012 Touareg was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Institute.