In 2007, the Volkswagen Touareg R50 was the world’s first modern super SUV – a point made by Top Gear in their recent feature celebrating the car. A standard-looking family 4×4 with supercar-baiting performance, record-breaking torque and the ability to tow a jumbo jet. Nearly two decades on, has anything truly bettered it?
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is the spiritual successor – same platform heritage, 640bhp, 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds. But at over £170,000 new it’s in a different financial universe. And there’s something almost too polished about it. The R50’s barely-contained energy feels rawer and more exciting.
The Lamborghini Urus redefined what a super SUV could be – 650bhp, 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, styling that stops traffic. But at £200,000+ it’s out of reach for most, against the R50’s current £3,500 market value.
The Audi RS Q8 is perhaps the closest relative – same group, similar brief, 591bhp and 600Nm of torque. But it still falls short of the R50’s 850Nm. The old diesel still wins the torque war.
What no modern super SUV can replicate is the R50’s complete visual anonymity. Today’s performance SUVs shout through wide arches and aggressive styling. The R50 looks exactly like a standard Touareg. Only the badge gives it away – and most people don’t know what the badge means.
That sleeper quality is something the R50 pioneered and nothing has quite replicated. Are you a Touareg enthusiast? Join the debate at VW Owners Club – membership is completely free.