The 150TDI, which is the least costly Touareg, has 18-inch alloy wheels and conventional coil-sprung suspension.
The 150TDI Element has around $2000 worth of extra features including electric tailgate, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, extra dark tinted privacy windows and cargo cover. A smart key lets you unlock and start the car with the key still in your pocket or bag.
In November 2017 Volkswagen introduced another 150TDI model, called the
Monochrome, with additional extras over the Element including 19-inch alloy wheels and ventilated seats. It also introduced active safety, such as automatic cruise control will match the speed of a slower vehicle in front; automatic emergency braking, which works at city and highway speeds, and proactive occupant protection, which detects a pending collision and tightens the front seatbelts and closes windows.
Spending more for the Touareg V6 TDI gets you fancier looking 20-inch alloy wheels, and suspension with height-adjustable air springs (these let you raise the car when driving off road, for more ground clearance). The front seats, mirrors and steering wheel remember your adjustments, so that you can return to them quickly after a companion has driven the car. You also get a better class of leather trim, and a power-opening tailgate. And the fuel tank is bigger.
A slightly cheaper version of the V6 TDI, the V6 TDI Adventure retains most of the features, with the price shaved by using lower-grade leather upholstery, and replacing the 20-inch alloy wheels with 19s that are more suitable for country driving. The Adventure is also styled with the bush in mind, and comes with roof racks and a large 100-litre fuel tank.
The most expensive Touareg, the V8 TDI R-Line, has even fancier 21-inch wheels, two-tone leather, heated rear seats, and separately adjustable climate-control for the rear-seat passengers. The sound system is better. It also has additional safety systems that warn you if a vehicle is in your blind spot when changing lanes, and if you drift out of your lane.
An option pack for the V6 TDI adds the automatic cruise control and emergency braking, plus the V8's blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning.