When you think of the German automaker Volkswagen, you picture affordable Euro-style cars like the iconic Beetle, the sporty Golf, or the touring-oriented Jetta and Passat. The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg midsize crossover ute is, therefore, a bit of a rogue, and also a bit on the pricey side. But this certainly hasn’t lessened its appeal. The 5-passenger 5-door Touareg, which shares a platform with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, offers a good all-around option for families on daily commutes, vacations, or even trips to the mall. With its truck-like frame and standard full-time all-wheel drive (AWD), the Touareg performs tolerably well off-road, and has a class-leading towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. Unfortunately, the Touareg Hybrid has been dropped from the lineup due to sluggish sales--this is the only notable change from the 2015 model year. The 2016 Touareg is offered as a gasoline-powered VR6 or a diesel TDI, with both powerplants grouped into the base Sport trim, the midlevel Lux, and the flagship Executive. Powering the 2016 Touareg VR6 is a 3.6-liter normally aspirated V6 engine managed by the traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Look for 280 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque from the V6, with mileage figures estimated at 17 mpg city/23 highway/19 combined. The 2016 Touareg TDI trims, meanwhile, pack a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 powerplant that puts out 240 hp and a hefty 406 lb-ft of torque, also paired with the 8-speed shiftable automatic. Estimated mileage remains 21/29/24, while a properly fitted TDI will feature the 7,000-plus-pound towing capacity. All 2016 Touareg variants again boast a stylish profile and plush interior. Outside, depending on the selected trim, the Touareg features 18-, 19-, or 20-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, power-folding mirrors, a power sunroof, and a power liftgate. On the inside, look for leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, memory for driver settings, reclining rear seats, and full power accessories. Cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a remote garage door opener are also standard across the 2016 Touareg lineup. Higher trims get power-folding rear seats standard, along with the Technology Driver Assistance package, which includes a trailer hitch, a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, GPS navigation, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Standard technology in the Sport and Lux trims includes Bluetooth hands-free calling, a CD/MP3 player, 8 speakers, satellite radio, a memory card slot, and an auxiliary audio input. The top-shelf 2016 Touareg Executive trim adds a power-adjustable steering-wheel, heated rear seats, an overhead-view camera, and a 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system. The only noteworthy option for the 2016 Touareg is a set of 21-inch alloy wheels that are available on the Lux and Executive trims. Cargo space in all Touareg variations checks in at a hefty 64 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. Look for the 2016 Touareg to include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags, daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, adaptive high-intensity-discharge headlights, cornering lights, a post-collision safety system, and a remote antitheft alarm. Those trims sporting the Technology Driver Assistance package additionally get such included safety features as blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, frontal collision-mitigation braking, and lane-departure alerts. No government safety data is available for the 2016 Touareg, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives it a top score of Good in all tests. The 2016 Touareg is again challenged by models like the Lexus RX, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Jeep Grand Cherokee for midsize mini-ute supremacy. All these competitors are, according to reviewers, worth a serious look before you start shelling out any cash.