Volkswagen Touareg R50 & Mercedes Benz ML500 review
12 Jun, 2008
17 Comments 
2008 Volkswagen Touareg R50 & Mercedes Benz ML500 Review & Road Test & Comparison
Model tested: 2008 Volkswagen Touareg R50
Recommended Retail Price: $129,990.
Options fitted: None fitted.
Stupendous torque; good fuel efficiency; styling; RNS510.
Weight; foot operated park brake; I don’t own one.
CarAdvice rating: 
(4.50)
Model tested: 2008 Mercedes Benz ML500
Recommended Retail Price: $121,100; $133,680 (as tested).
Options fitted: Metallic Paint – $1910; Cashmere Beige Leather – no cost; Premium Pack(heated/cooled front seats, Distronic cruise control, Keyless-Go stop/start) – $4930; Glass Electric Sunroof – $2920; TV Tuner-digital/analogue – $1810; Easy-Pack electric tailgate – $1010 .
Performance, equipment levels, comfort and ride.
Foot operated park brake; spongy ride from air suspension.
CarAdvice rating: 
(4.00)
- Review by David Twomey and Paul Maric, photography by Paul Maric.
Introduction:
Let’s face it there are few rational reasons to spend $130,000+ on a biggish four-wheel drive, the main one probably being – you just can! That’s said we decided to take a look at two different choices in the luxury 4WD segment – the benchmark Mercedes-Benz ML500 and the Volkswagen R50 – luxury or performance?
When the car God – who was German by the way – created cars, he paid special attention to one model, I told Editor David Twomey. Sure, it wasn’t the lightest car on the planet (at just near 2.6-tonnes, it wasn’t anywhere near!) but it was tremendous – or even stupendous, I continued. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Volkswagen Touareg R50.
The idea of a 2.6-tonne 4WD ‘nipping’ from 0-100km/h in 6.8-seconds boggles the mind. The fun doesn’t stop there either, all four corners sit on 295/35 R21 Michelin Latitude tyres – yes 295 wide! That’s 20mm wider than a HSV GTS. Braking is taken care of by 368/358mm front/rear rotors, continuously pulling the R50 up from any speed thrown at it.
“But, but, but…the environment, the Prius is the car God’s favourite,” I hear a ‘greeny’ interject as I attempt to explain the R50’s credentials to Editor David Twomey. How does an achievable 12.6-litres/100km sound? Soon enough, the greeny hovered off in a fit of tree-hugging rage at the obscene match-up getting people’s attention, just off Melbourne’s trendy Chapel Street. A Mercedes-Benz ML500 and Volkswagen Touareg R50, it’s the perfect combination of cars for our location.
Paul Maric and David Twomey meet to discuss directions to the closest coffee shop, testing the pair’s ability to trek upmarket Melbourne suburbia.
Location: Home / Behind the Wheel, Car News, Car Reviews, Diesel, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen / ...
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June 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
So given that there is only a 0.3L per 100 km difference in fuel consumption the ML500 would be cheaper to run given the current 20c per litre Diesel commands. And the ML500 is quicker in the 0-100 sprint. And in my opinion much better looking. I know the V10 diesel in a techno tour de force, but isn’t it a bit of overkill? It would be more at home under the bonnet of a 10 tonne truck.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
^^agreed
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I’m surprised that VW have a V10 in their lineup, as the price is up there in Audi territory. Also considering the Tiguan is competing against vehicles like the Rav4 and CRV, it is a big step up to the Touareg. This vehicle really should be rivaling Klugers and CX-9s, not M-Class’ and X5s.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
^agreed.
Also forgetting about the price differences but when making such a comparison between these two vehicles, shouldn’t you be comparing it against the AMG model, given that the VW is a R50?
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
^ Agreed, however when you take cost into account they are direct competitors…
But then again VW is the bargain basement german automaker…
But then again you can’t compare it to CX-9 nor Kluger either, those entries are far too poor to even consider.
Even tho one is an SUV and one is a Large 4×4, I’d say the only Toyota you could compare the R50 to is the new Landcruiser 200 series with twin turbo V8 diesel, closer in price, power and offroad capability.
Certainly the new BMW X5 sd would have been a better car to compare to? With twin turbo performance from the diesel 6 and economy to make a Prius blush?
Still love that ML tho, gimmie the euro V8 diesel please!!!
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
^Yes, but the price here is almost identical, and as such its probably the most relevent comparison. And the 375kW AMG ML63 is in a totally different league. Perhaps a Twin Turbo Diesel X5 would be a better comparison.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
^^Just to be clear, I’m not blaming Caradvice for comparing this to the M-Class, I’m saying VW in the first place, should have made this car rival with much cheaper 4WD/SUVs. As it seems a bit out there in the Volkswagen lineup and is positioned and priced in Audi territory.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Having been lucky enough to experience the “normal” Touareg TT V10 previously, I can only imagine the R50 model would be quite a weapon.
I dare say it has the edge looks wise over the MB too.
I guess at the end of the day it comes down to personal choice really – id happily own either as a tourer to eat up those country KM’s.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Dlr1, you are WRONG about the 20c price difference.
In Melbourne yesterday, ULP was 1.669, Dsl was 1.760, and 98ron PULP was 1.799.
Can’t for the life of me see where the 20 cents is.
You always compare Dsl with 91ron, where you should only compare it with 98ron since all the euro petrol engines want 98.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Performance wise both don’t better the FPV Territory F6X with it’s 270kw/550nm. Whilst the fixtures and fittings will probobly be better in both these vehicles the engineering of the FPV is up to the level of these performance suv’s and practicality of the FPV for a family is second to none. Mind you purchasing decisions for these two vehicles is as much about ego than economic considerations – My two Territory Ghia’s cost less than my mate’s ML350 (and are better vehicles) but don’t the Merc drivers look down their noses at the rest of us.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Good review guys and nice pics, keep the comparison articles coming! They’re every bit as good a read as the stand alone ones. Thanks.
Vote:June 12th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Reckless1, 3 days ago in NSW the difference was up to 30c at some servos. The average has been around 20cpl. Today ULP 166.9, DSL 186.9, 98RON 174.9. I’m not saying that its 20c per litre every day. Sometimes more sometimes less. Do you take every comment so literally? Certainly your diesel price is quite cheap compared to what I was forced to pay earlier this week.
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Good read, and well balanced report. I would like to see a comparison between the R50 , BMW X5 SDi, and Porsche GTS. There needs to be an equalisation of price exercise as well. The R50 is very, very well equipped standard compared to the others. I did the numbers and added almost $40k to the BMW. VW also offered a 5 year warranty the others didnt. As for the price of Diesel Vs. Petrol – spot on. Little difference as it is recommended to run 98 octaine. For the pureists historically, a Diesel powered vehicle has a premium resale vale compared to the same model in Petrol. 15% is the Industry benchmark.
Vote:August 22nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I really don’t think they can compare the R50 to the ML500.. I think the VW competitor for the ML500 is the standard V10 model of the Touareg.
Keep the sports models together (R50 with ML63). Even though I know the ML is 1.8 secs faster.
Vote:August 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
AGREE Maca:
I’ve noticed that aradvice have some bizzare comparisons with vehicles from different sub-segments, engine comparisons variations (Diesel and petrol competitor road tests) and spec levels.
How are readers meant to compare similar vehicle types within a particular segment when the tested vehicles have so much variation?
Vote:April 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
In the close up of the centre stack, there is clearly a button of a sports suspension setting.
Vote:June 6th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
the VW would make an awesome tow car 4 my drag car all the torque
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