Only minor cosmetic changes have been made to the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, one year removed from a major redesign. Available in three engine configurations, including a hybrid, the Touareg has the ability to appeal to a wide cross-section of drivers looking to upgrade to a midsize luxury SUV.

Nine different trims are available for the 4-door hatchback 2012 Volkswagen Touareg: VR6 Sport, VR6 Sport w/Navigation, VR6 Lux, VR6 Executive, TDI Sport, TDI Sport w/Navigation, TDI Lux, TDI Executive, and Hybrid, all of which have the 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. All VR6 trims come equipped with a 3.6-liter, 24-valve, DOHC, narrow-angle V6 with FSI direct injection engine that takes premium gas and tops out at 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The TDI trims come standard with a 3.0-liter, 24-valve, DOHC, V6 TDI Clean Diesel engine with common-rail direct injection. The TDI trims reach 225 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

All VR6 and TDI trims have an 8-speed automatic transmission (with Tiptronic, dynamic shift program, and sport mode). The premium gas trims are rated to achieve 16 mpg city/23 highway, while the diesel trims get 19/28. The Hybrid AWD has a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 premium gasoline engine and electric motor and achieves a combined 380 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid gets 20/24.

Standard equipment for the VR6 Sport and TDI Sport trims includes Climatronic dual-zone electronic climate control, cruise control, Servotronic power steering, power-operated heated side mirrors (with integrated turn signals), power locks, power windows, 8-way power-adjustable heated front seats, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, height-adjustable and telescoping steering column, leather shift knob, V-Tex leatherette seat trim, antitheft vehicle alarm system and immobilizer theft-deterrent system, RCD 550 touchscreen sound system (with 8 speakers and AM/FM radio with 6-CD changer), Bluetooth HandsFree technology, Sirius XM satellite radio (with a 3-month trial subscription), MDI (with iPod/iPhone interface), rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated windshield washer nozzles, bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights (with LED daytime running lights and adaptive front-lighting System), fog lights, silver roof rails, rear spoiler and 18-inch Tacora aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires and wheel locks).

The VR6 Sport w/Navigation and TDI Sport w/Navigation trims add a RNS 850 navigation system. The VR6 Lux trim upgrades the exterior mirrors to power-operated/power-folding heated side mirrors (with integrated turn signals and memory), 12-way power-adjustable front seats (with power-adjustable lumbar support, height- and angle-adjustable head restraints, 3-position driver’s seat memory and Vienna leather surfaces), Burr walnut interior trim, power tinted panoramic sunroof and 19-inch Everest aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires and wheel locks). The VR6 Executive and TDI Executive trims add heated rear seats, keyless access, push-button start, 620-watt Dynaudio Confidence 10-speaker stereo system, park distance control and 20-inch Pikes Peak aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires and wheel locks). The Hybrid is equipped similar to the Lux trims but also has keyless access and push-button start.

Safety features on all trims of the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg include 6 airbags (driver and front passenger front airbags, driver and front passenger side thorax airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags), tire pressure monitoring system, rollover sensor, intelligent crash response system, anti-intrusion side door beams, power-assisted vented disc front and rear disc brakes, antilock braking system (with engine braking assist, hydraulic braking assist and electronic brake-pressure distribution), hill descent assist and electronic stability control.

Interior color and style options for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg vary by trim. For example, Black Leatherette and Cornsilk Beige Leatherette are available for the Sport and Sport w/Navigation trims only, while the Lux, Executive and Hybrid trims come with either Black Leather, Cornsilk Beige Leather or Saddle Brown Leather. Exterior color choices for the Touareg include Campanella White, Black, Toffee Brown Metallic, Night Blue Metallic, Canyon Gray Metallic, Dark Flint Metallic, Cool Silver Metallic or Galapagos Metallic.

Handling-wise, owner reviews show that the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg handles fine for a midsize crossover SUV, stating that it drives pretty much like what you’d expect an SUV to drive like. The Touareg gets high marks from owners for the comfort that the cabin provides, as well as the smoothness of its ride. Those opting for the TDI trims remark that the torque provided made the SUV feel like a beast when pulling away from the line.