The SUV segment is growing each year, which means there’s always something new and exciting to catch the eyes of drivers. This is great for those who love options, and who doesn’t, but it can also be a bit overwhelming to wade through the choices when there are so many different sizes, shapes, capabilities and features. Those seeking a luxury option without the premium cost of brand badging are smart to compare the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vs 2016 Honda Pilot, as the Touareg offers luxury from the start, and the Pilot has some high end trims that greatly increase the model’s overall value. Both models are sleek and stylish with bold lines and chrome accents, though the Volkswagen Touareg does offer a more aggressive stance. Which style is most appealing is often up to your own tastes, but you can’t argue with standard features or impressive capabilities. Which model will come out on top?
Differences between the 2016 VW Touareg and Honda Pilot
In some ways the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg and 2016 Honda Pilot can be fairly similar. Their engines are almost identical, with VW offering a 3.6-liter V6 and Honda offering a 3.5-liter V6. Both offer up 280 horsepower, though the Touareg tops the Pilot’s torque with 266 pound-feet compared to 262 pound-feet. Still, you aren’t likely to notice much of a difference in this regard, but you will if you’re one who tends to push your vehicle’s towing capacity close to the edge. The Touareg can tow up to 7,716 pounds when properly equipped, while the Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Of course, there are a few things you can’t ignore about the 2016 Honda Pilot. If you’re looking to pinch pennies, you certainly won’t be comparing it to the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg because the Honda Pilot starts off as an economy model that adds more and more features as you move up the trim levels. Eventually, you’ll land on the Touring trim, which is the top-of-the-line for the model, and where you might start wondering if you should go with a model that is more luxury-minded from the start. In comparing it to the Touareg, you’ll find that the Honda does still have a hint of its economy build, both when it comes to its capabilities and the materials used.
So why buy the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg? The model is more capable, ever-so-slightly more powerful and has standard all-wheel drive to smooth out the driving experience. Standard features include LED overhead lighting, wood accents, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and heated side mirrors. All this, and the Touareg completely outdoes itself when it comes to warranty protection, offering 3-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance along with the new vehicle warranty, a 12-year/120,000-mile corrosion and perforation warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Basically, Volkswagen has you covered. Find out if the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is your dream model when you stop by Compass Volkswagen to take it for a test drive.
