BMW X5 vs VW TOUAREG

BMW X5 and Volkswagen (VW) Touareg are luxury sports utility vehicles (SUV) built to bridge the market gap between the luxury saloon cars and the bigger four wheel drive station wagons. Both come from legendary and reputable stables.

BMW has the badge of luxury performance, while Volkswagen is renowned for quality and reliability. BMW released the X5 (E53) in 1999 and replaced it with a second generation model (E70) with more prominent curves and a “punchy engine” X5, in 2007.

VW launched the Touareg in 2002, named after the normadic Touareg Arabs of North Africa. This vehicle was built to work as an off-road car and then drive like a sports car. In 2006 Touareg got a mid-cycle facelift which also endowed it with a ‘tough but not aggressive look’ and more multiple safety performance technologies. The two SUVs face off in a stiff competition, as we exmine the 2007 models on the Ugandan market.

Perfomance
The BMW X5 and the BMW X5 and VW Touareg 3.0 litre turbo diesel engines with direct overhead camshafts (DOHC) offer more responsive and quieter world class performance. They both have the efficient common rail direct injection turbo diesel (TDI) technology coupled with the six speed transmissions which give them a faster and smoother throttle response, while offering fuel economy.

The X5 has a slightly bigger 3.0 litre (2,993cc) engine with six cylinders in line and four valves per cylinder. This gives it more accelerating power and torque compared to the smaller Touareg 3.0 litre (2,967cc) TDI V6 engine. The X5 provides better fuel economy, despite the bigger engine size. The X5’s impressive i Drive with the flick switch electronic gear lever on the console gives the driver smooth shifting either in automatic or manual steptronic modes.

Handling
The X5 and Touareg are built to equally high safety and handling standards. They have well thought out body designs, suspension matrix and built in stability enhancing technologies. The model 2007 X5 introduces the improved X Drive full time all wheel drive system. It works with the electronic dynamic stability control, anti-lock braking (ABS) with vented brake disks, hill descent control systems provide more effective traction when manoeuvering fast around corners, on loose surfaces and down steep gradients.

VW calls this technology “ABS Plus” and it incorporates anti locking braking system, electronic brake assist, electronic brake distribution and traction control. This enhances driver and passenger safety in both cars. The BMW X5 offers active steering and adaptive drive system which work with the active roll stabilisation and electronic damping control. They compare favourably with VW’s Electronic stability programme (ESP) and air suspension. This prevents body roll or sway when driving fast around sharp bends and automatically adjusts the suspension to different road conditions to enhance handling and safety.

Comfort and convinience
The X5 and Touareg offer equally high quality interior comfort and convenience features such as multi zone automatic climate control, six CD changers, optional DVD players, Bluetooth phone facility, leather interior, electrically adjusted doors, windows and seats, cruise control, trip counters, tyre pressure monitors, futuristic computer car status and interactive function display monitors with car service reminders.

Unfortunately, some of these features are not practical in our dusty road conditions which affect their performance. The X5 provides a more spacious interior with better legroom, headroom and shoulder room. However, the Touareg provides a more comfortable ride because BMW’s stiff suspension and run flat tyres give passengers an uncomfortable and harsh ride over bumps. The X5 seats designed for performance driving are stiff and narrower compared to the Touareg’s larger seats with more ample support.

Reliability, security and resale value
The E70 X5 2007 comes with no spare tyre or wheel changing tools. In Uganda, potholes and humps on highways can damage the run flat tyres beyond repair. Here, VW scores a point for having a more practical full sized inflatable space saver tyre and wheel changing tools.
The availability of maintenance parts and repair facilities with main and private dealers for both cars is limited and expensive. Both cars have unauthorised intrusion alarms and engine immobilisers.

There have been reports in the media of security issues related to these high valued cars, due diligence checks prior purchase and comprehensive insurance are recommended.

Verdict
BMW X5 and VW Touareg are neck to neck and in a clear tie. Whereas the X5 has a slightly better engine performance, Touareg’s is more comfortable.
Both cars have a good record of handling, safety, convenient features and security. There are reservations about reliability of after sales support and both cars have a poor resale value.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com