I would agree BUT the parking sensors are automatic on the Treg and turn on below 5 mph without having to turn the switch on. Anyone (like me) who lives in the city with underground parking etc notices right away how good that is

Towing specs are a combination of hitch, chassis, engine, and transmission, but primarily manufacturers' appetite for legal exposure. The Touareg V10 pulled a Boeing 747 on Top Gear. BMW typically takes very conservative legal approaches.

I live in the city too. I always activate the side cameras when parking so automatic sensors would not help me at all.

The only listed cayenne diesel they had listed got sold a few hours before I got there...bummer. But they had another one from customer order and let me turn on the engine only. From both outside and inside, you can't tell it's a diesel, amazing.
I had a ride in the hybrid instead (with sucks BTW, I would never get that).
Cabin space is smaller than X5, more like an X3. I like my X5 larger roomy interior and trunk space...
Outside I still prefer the aggressive look of my X5. The Cayenne definitely needs these 21" rims to look good... So did my X5 after replacing the stock 18" rims with a 20" staggered custom setup...
But then... the Cayenne's dashboard...damn... it's like a space ship! So much advanced compared to the simple instrumentation of X5.... Gauges, small LCD next to the tach, buttons everywhere... I love it...so did my wife...
I definitely will get one in next few months to replace the wife's thirsty Q7! Price tag with decent options is high... ouch...
But for myself I still like my X5... having one of each will be the best of both worlds.

I love the exterior of the Cayenne but I prefer the simpler X5 interior (except for the instrument cluster). I am not a fan of touch screen navigation and the console is very busy in the Porsche. That said I would probably have bought one if they weren't so expensive.

I test drove a 2013 Touareg TDI (twice) this past week - I liked it - In fact, I was impressed.

We have a 2011 X5 5.0 Sports Package Adaptive Drive, which I am very enamored with (I have several posts here describing my driving impressions in detail when I was in the market). At that time, I also drove the 35D and the 35i several times (as well as an X5M once) before I bought the 5.0. I have no regrets whatsoever with the awesome X5 5.0 - it suits my wife and I very well!

I drove the TDI because I am considering an SUV (preferably diesel) for a work vehicle. I am not considering the X5 because I don't want to worry about the perception a BMW would give to client's. I just don't think the VW would produce the same ill affect with clients. It is pretty neutral - what one might call "a sleeper", because not many (IMO) will realize that it is a very nice vehicle.

My test drive of the TDI Touareg
Took a fairly lengthy drive (with a dealer) up on top of Horsetooth Reservoir (Fort Collins, CO area) - lots of twisties and hills (plus awesome views!). The Treg was impressive - I couldn't get over how well the motor pulled and how well mated the 8 speed was to the power plant. I just kept stepping on it and stepping on it over and over again - beginning at various speeds. And, I recently drove a 35D the week before - I am fairly confident that the Touareg has a "stronger" overall feel to the motor than the 35D (seat dyno only). I really "pushed" the Touareg up and around mountain canyons and onto a few flat 0 - 80MPH sprints. I don't know if it was the 8 speed vs the 6 speed in the X5 or what, but the performance of the Touareg is more impressive (IMHO) than the 35Ds I have driven.

Cornering was satisfying - certainly nothing like our 5.0 Sports Package with Adaptive Drive, but it certainly had satisfying cornering - I felt the German character (tight enjoyable cornering and ride) all of the time. I would still say that a "non Adaptive Drive" X5 corners better than the Touareg, but not by a great amount. The Treg gave me the impression of being a little smaller than the E70 overall too (because it, in fact, is). Perhaps most noticing was its height - about 2.5 inches shorter than the X5.

Here are the differences in size:

E70
Length = 191.1"
Width = 76.1"
Height = 69.9"
Weight = 5,192
Inline 6 cylinder
HP = 265
Torque = 425
19.6 lbs per HP
6 Speed Transmission

TOUAREG
Length = 188.8"
Width = 76.4"
Height = 67.3" (IT DOES SEEM 2.5" SHORTER)
Weight = 4,974 lbs
V6 Diesel
HP = 240
Torque = 406
20.7 lbs per HP
8 Speed Transmission

I think the Touareg might be a bit of a sleeper. I haven't priced out a 35D lately but you can get the Touareg Lux package (which sits in between the Sport and the Executive package) for about $50,000. I don't think this is too bad of a price.

I wonder how comfortable the seats are if one were to drive it on a lengthy trip?

The Lux package has 19" wheels - not sure which size. The SPort package has 18s and the Exec package has 20s.

I still don't know if I will buy one for a work vehicle or not . . .

Thanks for the review. Interestingly, I looked at the Touareg last fall for the exact same reasons as you were. A business vehicle, that doesn't project a "wrong" image with customers.

I test drove the TDI several times and came away impressed, like you. I really really wanted to like/buy a Touareg, but in the end this is what killed my plans:
- Sunroof cover. Sound silly I know, but both my wife and I HATED that flimsy fabric VW calls a sunroof cover. It let so much heat through in the Atlanta sun, that I thought I would get a sun burn :( :D
- My wife would not get comfortable in the front seats, the lower seat portion was too long for her.
- Pricing. With BMW's aggressive incentives, we could build our X5d exactly how we wanted it and pay almost the same as we would have for a Lux version.

I think the Touareg is a fine vehicle and should be on the shopping list if you are looking for a $50,000 diesel SUV

My aunt has the new 2012 VW Touareg diesel! After driving her vehicle im not that impressed! I still believe the x5 is a true man vehicle! The Touareg isn't meant to be driven! its meant to take you from point A-B!!!! Also the X5 is such a head turner the Touareg not so much! Not sexist at all but it seems that the X5 is meant to be driven aggressively like most men do, where as the Touareg lacks the handling and performance the X5 offers! I strongly believe the only reason the Touareg sells is because its more than 15k cheaper!

I like the Touareg. What has kept me away is the VW dealers. I just don't trust them with a 50K car and the service experience is nothing like the local BMW dealers. Example: My wife just had her Golf in for one of the free oil changes. Our garage now has oil on floor from what they spilled while filling the oil.

Just seems strange for VW to sell that expensive of a SUV.

What did you end up using for your business vehicle?