When Volkswagen refers to the new Touareg as an SUV, you have to remember that this third-generation 4x4 is different. So often we think of an SUV as a form of leisure and family vehicle, which is what it is. However, the Touareg is a giant of an SUV with big power features, and huge performance.

Just as the Amarok feels big in the pick-up market, the Volkswagen Touareg is big in the large 4x4 market. The power and dimensions mean the new Touareg is one of the biggest 4x4s on the market and it delivers unrivalled performance.

There are three specification levels in the range and the Irish Farmers Journal had the recent opportunity to drive the R-Line version, which is about as complete as you can get when it comes to driving a large 4x4. Size and dimensions remain the same across the range, while the R-Line tops out on massive engine performance.

For the Irish market Volkswagen is offering a single V6 turbo-diesel engine, which is available in two power bands, 231bhp or 284bhp. All models come with the new Volkswagen eight-speed automatic Tiptronic gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. So even from the entry models, this new Touareg comes with a very high specification level.

Size

Across the range, there is great space all round including massive boot space that leads the competition by a significant margin. This Touareg is slightly longer and wider than in the past and you’ll notice it.

The other basics that remain the same include a 3.5t towing capacity with a very neat electrically operated tow bar. This is engaged by a button in the boot area and sees the tow bar impressively swing down into action when needed. There also is a trailer assist feature to help with slow-speed trailer manoeuvring.

Technology

Get into the driver’s seat and you’ll be immediately impressed with the new 15in display that spans the centre of the dash area, almost the size of a decent laptop screen. Volkswagen calls this their fully digitalised Innovision Cockpit. Here the digital instruments and the infotainment systems come together to form a touchscreen operational unit that hardly needs any conventional buttons or switches.

This Innovision Cockpit can be set up and tuned to your personal needs, just like a smartphone.

When reversing, the screen provides a massive display of what’s happening at the rear of the vehicle and allows for easy hitching of trailers. So although the new Touareg is big, it is manageable in all but the tightest car parking spaces, due to the range of parking aids.

Volkswagen has also packed the new 4x4 with loads of safety, or as they like to call it, assistance technology. These include new technologies such as the Night Vision assistance system which detects people and animals in darkness via a thermal imaging camera – although we are not suggesting that it’s designed for night-time herding.

There is a new Roadwork Lane Assist system (semi-automated steering and lane-keeping acceleration and braking up to 60km/h) and Front Cross Traffic Assist (this reacts to cross traffic in front of the Touareg), as well as what they call an active all-wheel steering.

While it takes some time to study and understand these features and range of abilities of the new Touareg, once done, you simply get down to the pleasure of driving such a powerful machine that delivers impressive acceleration given that it weighs in at over 2t.

This new Touareg is claimed to be more than 100kg lighter than the previous model. That, along with higher engine power means that acceleration is very impressive at 6.2 seconds in a 0-100km/h race. You’ll feel it through the smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s standard across the range as it allows you to cruise at motorway top speeds at just 1,500rpm on the smooth V6 engine.

Economics

Volkswagen claims an economy figure of 15.2km/litre (6.6l/100km or 43mpg) from this new Touareg, while our 900km test drive returned a figure about 20% lower. The fuel tank capacity should give a range close to 900km, but we expect adding a towing load will change that.

Off-road, the Touareg is equally impressive. This Touareg is equipped with permanent all-wheel drive (4MOTION) system. There is a centre differential lock that claims a torque distribution between the front and rear axle. Volkswagen claims that in normal driving a maximum of 70% of the drive force reaches the front axle. When the going gets tough then up to 80% can be sent to the rear axle for extra traction. Engaging the extra drive is simply by means of a button switch.

This Touareg is a big 4x4 with performance. Entry prices start at €65,395 or £48,995 in Northern Ireland. This is more expensive than the likes of the Land Rover Discovery or Toyota Land Cruiser, both of which are the immediate competition, although the Land Cruiser lacks the Touareg’s towing ability.

Changes to taxation rules have meant that seated versions of these bigger 4x4s are no longer considered to be commercial vehicles. So you must really need the extra power and space to justify a Touareg investment and you won’t be disappointed.