2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid: First Drive

VW Touareg Hybrid - Front ViewToyota Motor Sales better get in the game. Quick.

Yet another manufacturer has launched yet another hybrid that is infinitely better than anything the previous hybrid king has put out in recent years.

Exit Lexus RX 450h. Enter the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid.

As far as first drives go, I didn’t have nearly enough drive time in this all-new SUV. Only about 30 minutes behind the wheel and another 30 minutes as a passenger.

VW Touareg Hybrid - dashboardSurely not enough time to get a realistic gauge of fuel economy over a period of time. My partner and I averaged just more than 20 mpg in combined driving, which is just under the VW estimated ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. (At the time of publication, the EPA had not yet completed their official fuel economy values.)

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MPG-o-Matic 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC Review Summary: The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC is one of the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger luxury SUVs on the road today. From the calm and comfort within the GL350’s well-crafted cabin, one can only wonder why so many manufacturers have been slow to embrace clean diesel as the ideal solution for premium vehicles.

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As the competition moves to soft and cushy crossover designs with limited off-road abilities, the Jeep Liberty remains a competent and conventional mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), designed to tackle tough terrain while hauling the goods. Although the Liberty’s 3.7-liter V6 has been newly equipped with an interactive Decel Fuel Shut Off feature to improve fuel economy, this is still a relatively thirsty SUV.

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It’s not surprising that the 2010 Cadillac SRX is decidedly European, as Cadillac’s compact crossover rides on the same platform as the Opel Antara. The SRX currently offers a choice between two V6 engines (turbocharged or naturally aspirated) with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD). While its gas mileage results are middle-of-the-road, the crisply-designed SRX delivers all the style, comfort, and tech goodies you’d expect in a modern high-end Cadillac.

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