Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the CKD Volkswagen Touareg CR Facelift is the clear newer-car choice. Its 335 hp/450 Nm turbo V6 reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds against the Mk2’s 276 hp/360 Nm and 7.8 seconds, while the 2,984-mm wheelbase and 810-litre boot add 91 mm and 230 litres respectively. It also brings air suspension, Matrix LED headlamps and far more active safety kit. The Mk2’s sunroof and 14-way front seats still have appeal, but its 3.6-litre V6 incurs RM2,595 annual road tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg Mk2 if you are buying used and place greater value on a sunroof, front foglamps and 14-way front-seat adjustment.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg CR Facelift if you want the faster, roomier and better-equipped Touareg with lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Engine: 3,597 cc naturally aspirated V6 | 2,995 cc twin-scroll turbo V6
- Output: 276 hp and 360 Nm | 335 hp and 450 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: 7.8 seconds and 228 km/h | 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h
- Wheelbase and boot: 2,893 mm and 580 litres | 2,984 mm and 810 litres
- Wheels and tyres: 18-inch alloys with 255/55R18 tyres | 20-inch Braga alloys with 285/45R20 tyres
- Annual road tax and warranty: RM2,595, two-year manufacturer plus three-year extension | RM1,632, five-year manufacturer warranty
Mk2
- 14-way power front seats with driver memory
- Sunroof and front foglamps
- Rated fuel consumption of 9.9 L/100 km
- Slower 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- 580-litre boot is 230 litres smaller
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or night vision
CR Facelift
- 335 hp and 450 Nm from the turbocharged V6
- Air suspension, 810-litre boot and 91-mm longer wheelbase
- Matrix LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking
- 12-way front seats have two fewer adjustment ways than the Mk2’s 14-way seats
- No sunroof
- No front foglamps
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM438,283 | RM384,972✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,595 | RM1,632✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, naturally aspirated | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 3,597 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 360 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Tiptronic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 9.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 228 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 236 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,795 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,940 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,709 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,893 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,103 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 580 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/55R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/55R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Slovakia (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | 4Motion AWD with Torsen LSD | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Directional Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 14-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 front, 1 boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear window blinds | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | RNS 850 8.0" touchscreen radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB, 6-disc CD changer and 8 speakers | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Available, with Area View (4 cameras, 360-degree view) | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
Mk2 vs CR Facelift FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Touareg Mk2 or Volkswagen Touareg CR Facelift better?
The Volkswagen Touareg CR Facelift is better for most buyers. It is quicker, has a larger 810-litre boot, air suspension, more driver-assistance functions and a five-year manufacturer warranty. The Mk2 makes sense chiefly as a used buy for its sunroof and 14-way front seats.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg CR Facelift costs RM384,972, which is RM53,311 less than the Volkswagen Touareg Mk2 at RM438,283.
Which Touareg has the better safety equipment?
The CR Facelift has the stronger safety kit. It adds blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, steering-correction lane keeping, collision warning, night vision and front-and-rear curtain airbags; the Mk2 has driver, passenger, front-side and curtain airbags but lacks those assistance systems.
