Volkswagen Touareg R50 & Mercedes Benz ML500 review
June 12, 2008 by Paul Maric
Although the R50 features the same off-road equipment as the V10 TDI, you would be nucking futs to try any off-road work in the R50. The totally on-road oriented tyres would fill with mud quicker than it would take an environmental lobbyist to call bloody murder when crossing a wet field. Although a low-range gearbox and lockable differentials are available for use, most owners wouldn’t touch the switches – or even know what to do with them.
That brings us to the bit I’m sure most of you are waiting to hear about. How does the R50 like being thrown around a set of corners at speed? Well, it doesn’t mind it actually, the same can’t be said for the driver though.
The R50 piles on speed at a mind altering pace. Although the brakes feel superb, coming into a corner at speed must be done with the utmost of precision – otherwise things can go wrong quite quickly. As there is a slight moment of turbo-lag before the twins spark to life, you need to be careful how hard you get onto the throttle out of a corner. There were several occasions where standing on the loud pedal was met with a mix of understeer and oversteer. The twin-turbo V10 delivers its full gamut of torque quicker than you can imagine.
As such, you need to be quite liberal with the application of power out of a bend. The gearbox is also not all that impressive when driving with vigour. The 6-speed unit shits up automatically and won’t allow you to preselect a downshift of grab a gear too early. The steering is also a bit ho-hum. You could drive the R50 all day long with one finger, it just feels too light and easy, I felt it could have a bit more weight for cornering.
If you take my gearbox and steering qualms out of the equation though, the R50 corners like no other 4WD I’ve ever driven. In ‘Sport’ mode, although the ride is neck-shatteringly rough, it produces barely under body roll through corners. The total 1.18m of road contact ensures that the Touareg is never short of grip. In fact, the tyres do a tremendous job of keeping this 2.6-tonne beast on the black top.
Needless to say, the R50 is a willing performer and certainly doesn’t disappoint. It was surprising to note that fuel consumption didn’t go beyond 17.5-litres/100km during testing on our private test circuit, which included plenty of full throttle driving. While the average fuel consumption including highway, city and country driving was just 12.8-litres/100km.
The R50’s pricing is intriguing. It costs just $8,000 more than the regular V10 TDI Touareg. When you consider the performance improvements and the additional features, it really isn’t bad value for money. But on the same token, equivalently priced vehicles from Mercedes, BMW and Porsche offer the same performance for around the same price, the R50 on the other hand is loaded with features, unlike its opposition.
Although the R50 offers stupendous levels of torque and brilliant levels of fun, it begs the question. Why? You could get far better overall performance out of a sport sedan which could probably carry the same number of people. You could also probably find one capable of towing most of your belongings. The R50 certainly won’t be used for off-road work – you’d be crazy to let those tyres touch the road – so it really is a redundant car.
But, for the man/woman who wants/needs everything, you certainly won’t find a better ‘sports’ 4WD under $150,000.
CarAdvice Overall Rating: 
How does it Drive:
How does it Look: 
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 4921cc V10 Twin Turbo
- Power: 258kW @ 3,500rpm
- Torque: 850Nm @ 2,000rpm
- Transmission: Six Speed Auto with DSP & 4XMOTION
- Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA, EBD & EDL
- Top Speed: 235km/h
- 0-100km/h: 6.8 seconds
- 0-400m: 14.8 sceonds
- Fuel Consumption: 12.6 litres / 100km (Combined)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 100 litres
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- ANCAP Rating: Five Star
- Safety: ESP with TCS; Front, Side & Curtain Airbags
- Spare Wheel: Tyre Sealant & 12V Compressor
- Tow Capacity: 3,500kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.6 metres
- Warranty: 3 year / 100,000km
- Weight: 2,532kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Omanyt 21×10 inch alloy
Click next to read the Mercedes Benz ML500 review
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.
^^agreed
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.
^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?
^ 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!!!
^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.
^^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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
In the close up of the centre stack, there is clearly a button of a sports suspension setting.
the VW would make an awesome tow car 4 my drag car all the torque