If it's a no-nonsense premium SUV that you are looking for, the 2012 Touareg is a formidable option as it comes packed with features, good looks, performance, pedigree and the ability to leave tarmac at the drop of a hat to take on the rugged outdoors like no other

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In terms of design, the Touareg doesn’t break new ground. It sticks to the Volkswagen family look that can be seen on the Phaeton all the way down to the Polo. Having said that, the Touareg is a good looking SUV with clean character lines and a rather purposeful macho stance, and thanks to those elements it will still turn heads when it goes by. While one might argue the similarity created by using the same design theme, this idea is becoming a norm amongst manufacturers worldwide and it does make a brand statement. 

Step inside and you will notice that Volkswagen Touareg comes endowed with a first class cabin. It’s totally on par with anything you would expect from a luxury car maker and has been crafted to pamper you. The cabin space is nice and airy, even for the second row passengers. The fine use of high quality materials, fantastic fit and finish, all compliment each other to offer a plush cocoon inside the Touareg.

When it comes to gizmos and gadgets on board, the Touareg can boast of a rather long list, including bi-xenon headlights, fog lights, roof rails, a power liftgate, cruise control, four-zone automatic climate control, 14-way adjustable front seats, Vienna leather upholstery, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker sound system with touchscreen control, a six-CD changer, USB and iPod connectivity, and frankly the list goes on, but I would have to write a small book on that front!

If it's safety you are looking for, the Touareg is second to none and here too the list seems endless! Designed to protect you in the best way possible, this SUV comes fitted with electronic stability control, ABS with brake assistant, ASR, EDL, 10 airbags, hill start assist / hill descent assist, front and rear disc brakes and of course you have the three-point seatbelts.

For India, the Touareg is set to come powered by a large 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel unit. The 2976cc engine is capable of pumping out a solid 245 horses between 3800 and 4400rpm and makes a stonking 550Nm of torque between 1750 and 2250rpm. This is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox which translates all this power to the road in a devastating manner that will most probably have you sporting an evil grin plastered across your face! Fire up that engine, and you will be surprised by the silence despite the large diesel under the hood. Refinement is exactly what you would expect and this motor delivers literally by the truckload. The Touareg is fast on tarmac and has enough grunt to drive over boulders off the road, but we will get to the boulder bashing a little later.