When the Volkswagen brand unveiled it’s all-new, third-generation Touareg flagship back in 2018 at the Beijing Auto Show, it was clear that their intentions were to market the nameplate as a premium offering, even more so than the Arteon.
The Touareg thus shares the same MLB Evo platform with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus, Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, which makes for a great resume.
Unfortunately, VW decided against selling its latest-gen Touareg in the United States, and instead focused on bringing you the domestically-made three-row Atlas and its more dynamic-looking sibling, the Atlas Cross Sport.
Read Also: 2020 VW Atlas Cross Sport Starts From $30,545, Saves You $1,000 Over 3-Row Atlas
The reason for that is pretty simple. The brand wanted to address the SUV needs of U.S. buyers without having to raise prices considerably. And yes, there is a considerable price difference between the Atlas Cross Sport and the Touareg, but more on that later.
For the time being, let’s focus on what U.S. buyers are missing, starting with styling and practicality. While there are natural brand DNA-design similarities, the two SUVs are styled differently. The Atlas Cross Sport looks more rugged and simple (for better or worse), while the Touareg is sleeker and more elegant, almost Audi Q8-like.
But while one looks (and is) more expensive than the other, it’s actually the Atlas Cross Sport that’s more practical. For starters, it’s a little bigger, measuring 195.5 inches (4,970 mm) in length, 78.3 inches (1,990 mm) in width and 67.7 inches (1,720 mm) in height, with a wheelbase of 117.3 inches (2,980 mm).
The Touareg on the other hand is 192.0 inches (4,878 mm) long, 78.1 inches (1,984 mm) wide, 67.6 inches (1,717 mm) tall and has a 114.3-inch long (2,904 mm) wheelbase. Fold down the backseat and you’re left with 63.5 cu.ft (1,800 liters) of trunk volume, whereas if you do the same in the Atlas Cross Sport, you’ve got 77.8 cu.ft (2,203 liters) to play with.
What about quality and performance?
The EU-flagship seemingly wins these categories. Just look at those plastics surrounding the Atlas’ center console, lower dashboard and door panels. Or the ones around the power window switchgear. It’s what you’d expect from an SUV that’s priced from $30,545.
The Touareg on the other hand costs upwards of £46,015 (equal to US$57,300) in the UK and from €64,140 (US$70,200) in Germany. We can’t directly compare MSRPs as there different taxes involved (plus, in the U.S., prices are negotiable), but we will tell you that the most expensive and comprehensively equipped Atlas Cross Sport with the V6 in SEL Premium R-Line spec will cost you $44,945 (equal to €41,100 οr £36,100). Plus, when the previous generation Touareg was last available in the States in 2017, it cost upwards of $49,495. That said, it’s probably safe to say that the Touareg is way, way more expensive than the Atlas Cross Sport.
Read: America Waves Goodbye To The VW Touareg
There are two available powertrain options for the Atlas Cross Sport, a naturally-aspirated 276 HP 3.6-liter V6 and a 235 HP four-cylinder turbocharged TSI gasoline unit. The Touareg’s engine range is more diverse, and more powerful, with an available 335 HP 3.0-liter TSI unit, 227 HP & 282 HP 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesels, plus a flagship V8 TDI diesel, good for 414 HP.
Great V-Dub, thanks for holding out!
This is the part where you probably shouldn’t feel too bad. If the third-gen Touareg was available in the U.S. and it cost more than $50,000 (which it probably would), then you’d basically have to choose between a Volkswagen brand product and either a Mercedes, an Audi or a BMW. That’s not a fight VW can win, at least not most of the time.
Then there’s the fact that the Atlas Cross Sport is, for lack of a better term, ‘loaded’ with everything you need from a non-premium people hauler. The following features are all standard on the base S spec: 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, silver roof rails, LED headlights and taillights, Daytime Running Lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, the MIB II Composition Color infotainment system with a 6.5-inch glass-covered touchscreen display, Front Assist, a Blind Spot Monitor and more.
Still, from a buyer’s perspective, it’s a shame VW didn’t want to roll the dice with the latest Touareg in the States. It’s a pretty good-looking SUV, and its interior boasts the best quality we’ve seen on a VW brand product nowadays. Here are a few things we really like about it: the LED Matrix headlights, air suspension, all-wheel steering, Night Vision, Head-Up Display and of course, that magnificent 15-inch Discover Premium infotainment display, working alongside a 12-inch gauge cluster.
Time to let us know if you’d be willing to spend near-BMW X5 money on a Touareg, instead of just opting for a really well-specified Atlas Cross Sport.
