mio

please vote and tell the reason why u like it better.

SPUDMTN

The Volkswagen is just overall a more extraordinary vehicle. While the Lexus is good, that's just it. It's not exceptional.

I find the Volkswagen exceptional because of many things. It is incredibly capable off road, and still maintains a solid, road-holding, taut, German ride onroad. The interior is incredible and far more rich feeling than the Lexus. The design of the interior and the exterior are (IMHO) far superior to those of the awkward looking Lexus. And I honestly believe that the build quality of the Volkswagen is far superior to that of the Lexus, which feels incredibly similar to its 4Runner sibling (which is a good vehicle, as well--just not on the same level as the Touareg).

I also found the exhaust note and grunt of the V8 Touareg to be invigorating. Have someone start up the Touareg for you so you can listen to it from the outside. It's throaty and has the sound of a Cayenne. And it's got gobs of power.

While this may be a small one for some, I find the rear-hatch of the Lexus to be an ergonomic joke. Why on earth they wanted the rear-hatch to swing out is beyond me. And further, it just made for some rather ugly (that's subjective, I know) tail-lamps.

Overall, I just find the Touareg more outstanding the the blasé Lexus. Dare I say it, but the Volkswagen just has far more soul. Un-less you need the added cargo capacity of the Lexus (which is a small advantage at that) I don't see any reason to choose it over the Touareg.

MJMeucci

As an owner of the GX I have to say that it IS the best car that I have ever owned. Back in '03 when I was car shopping I looked at both the VW and the Lexus at length and found the Lexus to be a far superior car. While some would say that the VW has better looks, I personally liked the looks of the Lexus more, less raised station wagon and more SUV. While the VW does have some cool features that the GX does not, I had to come to the realization that I will never need to ford 18" of water, while the proximity key is a great feature without a push button ignition the concept is nearly worthless, and my kids do not need the luxury of heated rear seats. Please don't take this as bashing the VW, it is a good car, and considering the fact that it can be compared to a Lexus says a lot about it.

Despite lacking some of the equipment of the VW I find the Lexus to be far superior. When I was looking back in '03 the nav system on the VW was a joke, it took forever to calculate a route and it only knew major roads, the Lexus system clearly beat the VW here. While many dislike the rear hatch of the Lexus, I personally really like it, and yes while it would be really nice to have retractable glass (a la 4 runner) I have never had a problem loading or unloading the car. As for the power difference, I was nervous that the GX had only 230hp but once I drove it I realized that this wasn't an issue, it has enough torque (320?) to get it going and I have never had a problem passing people on the freeway. A lot of my love of the GX is based on my personal preferences. I find it to be very capable both on and off road, living in the northwest and being an avid skiier the GX has handled well in the mountain passes and even on unplowed service roads. It is a smooth cruiser and the level of luxury is greater than I expected. Another major selling point for me on the GX was the reliability of the Lexus name, after reading about some of the horror stories over at vwvortex I knew that I couldn't go wrong with the Lexus, while this is not to say that Lexus's are immune to issues, I know there was a problem with a driveshaft clunk in the GX, we were not affected however. I have been so impressed with the GX that I am most likley going to give this one to my son and buy myself another.

You can't really go wrong with either the GX nor the VW however, they are both very capable, but seem to be marketed to different audiences.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Although I'm against gas guzzling SUV's, SAV's or whatever they are called these days,

The VW looks a heck of a lot better then the lexus.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Of these two, for looks, I'd take the VW, but for reliability, I'd take the Lexus.

SPUDMTN

This is true. No offense to the Lexus at all was intended. You really can't go wrong with either.

SpeedyV6

For looks and even for luxury I think the VW is the better choice. Plus that Turbodiesel is awesome.

But for reliability & durability I'd take the Lexus

SPUDMTN

I wish they'd bring back the TDI. I think it's on hiatus right now...

65 Fury Convert

My brother has the Lexus GX470. Nice vehicle...yawn (excuse me)... but sooo boring. I've never driven the Touareg but from I've read it's sportier - it really depends what you're looking for because you can't go wrong with either one.

Crazy Bimmer

I drove the VW Touareg V8 and im in love with it.

Crazy Bimmer

The V10 TDI will be coming back.

mio

Thanks all ur opinions guys! I think I will go with Touareg.

So, the last thing I concern is: do u guys think the Touareg can take me to

a long trip traveling without any problem?

what do u guys think due to "his" "bad?" reliability...?

Beltfed

So I guess you're also against gas guzzling M5s, E55/S55/SL55/etc, Lambos, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Vipers, Mustangs, Vettes, 300C SRT8, Charger SRT8, and so on?

If not, you're a hypocrite.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Although I do love the performance that they have to offer which I have raved about on the forum. Even if I had the money I probably wouldn't be buying any of those unless I was gonna track them. I believe those cars are a waste of money as daily drivers which i have seen a lot people use them as here in so cal along with the SUV's. And if you think I'm joking, try spending some time in La Canada Flintridge. I see Ferrari's, Lambo's, AM, Vipers, Vettes, Saleen Mustangs all the time.

My preference has always been to buy a car I can modify myself. Not one that already super to begin with.

SPUDMTN

Oh yeah...the T-reg will take you on a long trip without a problem. Problem areas are simply electronic glitches. Further, the '05s had many of the problems resolved and the 06's should be even better yet.

Check out vwvortex.com and take a look at their Touareg forum. There's also clubtouareg.com or something along the lines of that. They should let you know what to expect.

Despite the few problems with the Touareg, I don't think you'll be disappointed (just so long that you don't go into it expecting Lexus or Acura reliability.)

youngTL

He may not be totally against them, but I am. I will never buy a car that gets worse than 13L/100km in the city. That handily excludes every single car on that list, plus some more like the RL, the M45, the GS430, and a load of other cars. If possible I prefer a car to get better than 12L/100km.

youngTL

To answer the post, if you're going to lease it, it doesn't matter which one you get. If you're going to keep it for a long long time, the Lexus is the wiser choice. The VW will probably be more fun to drive.

iTimmy

I know people who own both, and have spent a fair amount of time driving both(including the V10tdi t-rag). The VW is more of the drivers vehicle, but it comes at the price of VERY poor reliablity, one owner finally gave up and got rid of it due to the constant problems, and she is a die hard VW fan and the V8 t-rag was her baby. The real ironic part of this, her BF worked the dealership at the time(he was one of the head tech's) and it still was always going in for work.

The lexus is more refined, feels more luxurious, rides smoother/quieter. It makes you feel more "detached" from the road, its not a driver's car, but between the two I would go with the Lexus due to the horrible reliablity problems of the VW. If you don't mind spending a lot of time at the dealership(VW's service departments are horrible from my previous experiences) then the t-rag would be the choice.

cM3go

I'd go for the Lexus for reliability. I have heard horror stories about Touregs.

F23A4

I like Lexus productiline MUCH better than VW. However, the Touareg is by far my favorite of all the upscale SUVs on the market. I just wish it didnt cost so much. The GX470 does NOTHING for me. As a matter of fact, the only Lexus SUV I do like is that rocket ship/SUV RX400h.

stangg172004

I have an '05 V8 Treg and i love it! Even if the MFI mpg reading is at 11.4 avg, i love it. Now the only problem is that some people don't want to spend time at the dealer but i don't mind all that much, just as long as its for a good car. My car has some little issues like a loose engine cover that the dealer cant seem to fix and rattles under full throttle, squeaky brakes, and this weird dieing cat noise coming from the rear brakes when they are cold. As saisd above most of the major problems got sorted out for 05 and the 06 will be a lot better. But most of the problems came form the '04 V6, my dealer warned me not to trade down from a V8 to a V6 when i was talking to him about the gas, they said the extra money spent at the pump is well worth avoiding the problems with the V6s.

03typeS6spd

neither?

dallison

CrockPot

i've been driving the GX around for the last few weeks...such an uninspiring vehicle. haven't had exposure to the Touareg, but i definitely would NOT shell out my own $$$ for a GX 470.

Johnny Rad

Not a big fan of the Touareg, but their V10 tdi version with its awesome 500 lb ft tq is a winner! Not to mention, VW did a limited run with a W12.

Lexus > VW

SPUDMTN

The trick is finding one...since it went on hiatus, pre-owned TDI Touaregs are incredibly rare

BUD001

Either way, an SUV is not about flinging it into corners like you would a car. So, for my money, a Lexus is better, since they provide the reliability of a toyota (GX470 = Euro-market Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado) with Lexus' incredible service reputation. VW suffers in quality both in reliability and their service department. Moreover, if you decide to buy, the Lexus would hold its value much better than a VW.

F23A4

If you're talking about these two particular SUVs then

If you're talking Murano, FX or SRX then . My Murano's handling puts my 02 Maxima's handling to complete shame.

phipark

SUVs blow, but to choose out of those two, I would choose Lexus. Mainly for the reliabilty.

fdl

This poll will close on 09-12-2008 at 3:56 AM

I better hurry and get my vote in.

03typeS6spd

what about the cayenne, fx or lr3?


or x5 for that matter, your price range seems to be high and for that amount of money i couldn't handle the vw service that will come along with it...

something to be said for being at an upper tier dealership...

gdubb

GX470 is just plain ugly to me, whereas the Toureg is very classy looking

Yumcha

Sorry, I don't like SUVs...

mio

Please don't edit my vote without sending notice, I think that is pretty rude.

SPUDMTN

No kidding. An abuse of moderation power, if you ask me... (all IMHO, of course)

West6MT

Why not look at other ones.

CrockPot

SPUDMTN

The edit did not add any value to the thread...is it so wrong that the author/originator didn't want it edited?

BstonBruin

personally i like the Touraeg much better...are you considering any other suvs

(no particular order)
1. Volvo XC90
2. Porsche Cayenne (S)
3. Acura MDX
4. Infiniti FX 35/45
5. LR3

Shizane2002

I like SUVs, I just have no interest in buying one. If I had the financial means, I would surely get a Ranger Rover. Thats just me though.