The Touareg offers a bevy of sophisticated driver's aids that many off-road vehicles do not, such as front and rear electronically locking differentials, electronic stability control and traction control. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

What shocked me the most with the Touareg, however, is its interior. Not only is it swathed in high-quality plastics, brushed aluminum and beautifully finished real wood, but its switchgear is top notch. The buttons on the console even fit in place better, without a trace of slop or wiggle (technical terms), than in the $97,800 Audi A8 L I just recently tested - also a Volkswagen product. I especially like the large, round knobs for setting the height adjustable suspension. They notch back and forth with a top-quality click-click and then recess flush into the console when not in use - slick.

If you like glowing red backlit controls then the Touareg will impress even more. Its interior design goes the opposite direction from the minimalist approaches some of its competitors are attempting, with more buttons, switches and knobs both up front on the center stack and lower console, and on the backside of the console where it features controls for adjusting the dual automatic climate control and heated seats for

Not only is the Touareg's interior swathed in high-quality plastics, brushed aluminum and beautifully finished real wood, but its switchgear is top notch. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

rear passengers, plus a power outlet.

Those in the back should be comfortable with regards to room too, that is unless someone extraordinarily tall is sitting up front. I pulled the front passenger seat to its rearmost position and after measuring the distance from the seatback (while it was somewhat upright so as not to worsen the situation) to the edge of the rear lower cushion, only 5-inches were left to spare. That's not very much at all, so if you belong to a family of tall people you may want to spend a little time attempting to get comfortable before you get your hopes up.