wordplay: Greg Bloom

This month’s comparison makes it tough to choose one over the other, as both vehicles have such high consumer/industry ratings and respect. Their European design and quality standards leave them in the “unquestionable” class, when asked if I’d buy one as my primary vehicle.

The 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V6 has standard features, performance, durability and comfort that leave it not too shy of the Porsche Cayenne in overall characteristics. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they are cut from the same cloth. While the Touareg’s V8 big brother has many a baby boomer and young professional reeling and taunting their neighbor, the V6 is no slouch off the line, with its 3.6 liter 276 HP 24 valve engine. Its sleek city appeal, brought about by its provocatively sculpted aerodynamics, is all but trumped for Coloradans lovin’ its 4XMotion ™ permanent 4WD system with low range gear capabilities. We are allowed to be needy, with the Rocky Mountains as our backyard! What sold me, above and beyond the top-of-the-line navigation system and all the gadgets, though, was the mood I was able to set with the ambient interior lighting and the crystal clear thumping sound system complete with XM Satellite Radio for when I parked at lover’s point with my girlfriend (chuckle). While the bus and the Beetle hold dear places in many a VW lover’s heart, the Touareg has to be Volkswagen’s best effort to date! This V6 can be yours loaded right at $50k.

VolksWagen.com

You know when your SUV or SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle, as Volvo likes to call it) comes standard with separate controls for its third row of hideaway seats, you are in the presence of true luxury design. Time has been the only hurdle between convenience, power and luxury since the inception of the SUV years ago. Volvo’s reign in the safety department, coupled with its obviously competitive technology, make XC90 one of my top three picks overall in the SUV class. Don’t let me leave out the fact that, in the past 4-5 years, the power and agility of Volvo’s autos have piqued interest and turned heads even in Europe. The XC90’s 3.2 liter 6-Cylinder engine should not fool you into thinking you shorted yourself to save a couple bucks. Its performance will match that of most other manufacturers’ V8’s. With Specification after Option after Feature coming into the picture (from every conceivable angle) in the hugely competitive SUV market, the manufacturer who can take all of these highlights and blend them together in the most pleasing package is going to come out on top every time. Volvo’s efforts toward this greatness have been nothing short of spectacular, and the XC90 gets my applause for a job well done. While the V8 AWD Sport would be a spectacular ride at $50k, this very plausible 6-Cylinder XC90 can save you $12k and not leave you disappointed.

VolvoCars.us