Volkswagen Touareg R50 & Mercedes Benz ML500 review
June 12, 2008 by Paul Maric
The ML500 has the 4Matic all-wheel drive electronic transfer system as standard, which includes traction and stability control.
This package includes anti-lock brakes, eight airbags, active head restraints and Mercedes-Benz’s PreSafe system, which uses ABS and stability control sensors to detect an imminent impact before it occurs, setting the vehicle up to best survive any ensuing impact by priming the airbags and seatbelts and closing the windows and sunroof.
Accommodation inside is, as they say, more than adequate, the heated and cooled leather seats in the front having a myriad of adjustments that mean you can achieve almost the optimum seating position.
There’s three position memory, of course, that links in your preferred steering wheel position and exterior mirrors.
The central controls are a little overwhelming in their multitude but given that most can be set and forgotten you are then left to concentrate on the central screen which offers sat/nav, DVD replay and digital/analogue TV!
The later doesn’t operate while the vehicle is in motion and you would need to add the rear screens that mount in the back of the front head-restraints to really pacify the back seat passengers.
As well there was a Harmon Kardon Logic7 sound system that offered 440 watts of surround sound through 12 speakers, including a sub-woofer.
At night it was more like daylight as the Bi-Xenon headlights that include cornering technology and dynamic range adjustment cut a swathe down the road ahead. On more than a few occasions we had oncoming motorists complaining about the brightness of our low-beam lights!
The most sensible aspect of buying a car like the ML500 is making the decision that it will be a Mercedes-Benz, or any of the other recognised luxury brands, because that means when you tire of you plaything it will still return you a hansome profit.
The ML500 is an excellent vehicle, superbly engineered, that will do a great job of negotiate speed humps, and should you decide to take it off-road it will actually do that very well as well.
CarAdvice Overall Rating: 
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 5460cc V8
- Power: 285kW @ 6,00rpm
- Torque: 530Nm @ 2,800rpm
- Transmission: Seven Speed Auto with 4MATIC
- Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA, EBD & EDL
- 0-100km/h: 5.8 seconds
- Fuel Consumption: 12.9 litres / 100km (Combined)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 95 litres
- Fuel Type: 95RON Petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Five Star
- Safety: ESP with TCS; Front, Side & Curtain Airbags
- Spare Wheel: Space saver
- Warranty: 3 year / 100,000km
- Weight: 2,185kg (Tare)
- Wheels: 19×8 inch alloy
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