The Volkswagen Touareg is the second generation of mid-size SUV developed by the German car maker. Its first effort was the Volkswagen Thing. However, the Touareg was first introduced to the market in 2003.

To bring the Touareg from concept to finished product was a joint effort between Volkswagen and Porsche. The partnership between the two corporations was born out of Porsche's desire to offer consumers a luxury SUV without having to shoulder the entire cost of developing one on its own.

With the ambitious vision of designing and building a vehicle that could behave off road in the same manner as a sports car, a team of 300 people was assembled. The result of their efforts is the Volkswagen Touareg. Porsche's Cayenne is similar in design, since both models share the same platform. The Cayenne is manufactured in Liepzig, Germany while Bratislava, Slovakia is the home of the Touareg.

The Touareg has received more than its fair share of recognition since its introduction. It was declared the Best Luxury SUV by Car and Driver in 2003. The following year Motor Trends followed suit by choosing the Touareg as its pick for Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Both V6 and V8 engines are available to consumers. In 2004, the company gave consumers the option of a V10 TDI diesel engine, but only a few units were sold before this version was taken off the market. Consumers in the United States did have the option of buying one with a V10 engine during 2006 and 2007, but they certainly weren't a cheap ride with an asking price of $60,000 or more.

In 2006, the Touareg underwent an overhaul that was presented to the public at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. North American customers were able to get one of the updated models starting with the 2008 model year. The changes were more than just a bit of tweaking of the model; 2,300 parts were updated as part of the process, and an ABS system and adaptive cruise control system were introduced.

The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg gives the driver a roomy interior with large, easy-to-read gauges. The V6 FSI generates 280 horsepower while the V8 version boasts 350 horsepower. It' s a better ride on the highway than in the city, where it can be a bit clumsy. Mirrors need to be positioned carefully to avoid the driver's blind spot in back. For the person who wants an off-road vehicle with a smooth ride, the Touareg continues to be a popular choice.