Head to Head

Take a standard passenger car, add ride height and give it more ride height, SUV-like styling and more practicality. That has been the formula of the crossover and has been a popular vehicle type since the late 90's. These days, crossovers are now available in a wide range of sizes and prices.

The Volkswagen Touareg is one offering from the premium crossover segment. With its blend of technology and luxury, the Touareg is a car to consider if you're in the market for a high-riding executive ride. Another option is the Honda Pilot. Like the Touareg, it too offers high levels of luxury and technology with the benefit of all-weather capability. This week's head to head puts the spotlight on these premium offerings.

This episode of head to head pits the Volkswagen Touareg and the Honda Pilot. Combining luxury, technology and foul-weather confidence, these cars let you ride in style wherever you go. Let's take a look at each contender.

Powering the Honda Pilot is an uprated version of the brand's 3.5 liter i-VTEC V6 with Variable Cylinder Management. It produces 284 PS and 355 Nm of torque and power is transferred to all four wheels through Honda's i-VTM4. Over to the Volkswagen Touareg, it uses a 3.0 liter turbodiesel V6 with a power output of 240 PS and 550 Nm of torque. Like the Pilot, all-wheel drive is standard thanks to Volkswagen's 4Motion system.

The Volkswagen shifts via an 8-speed automatic with manual mode while the Honda utilizes a 6-speed automatic, also with manual mode. For their suspension systems, the Honda Pilot rides on MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Meanwhile, the Touareg gets air suspension on all four corners, allowing the user to adjust ride height along with Electronic Shock Absorption Control.

Inside, the Honda Pilot has a black interior with leather seats and soft padded dashboard. It gets silver trim on the dash and doors plus piano black trim on the center console. The Pilot also comes with a power sunroof. Measuring in at almost five meters long, the Pilot allows seating for eight passengers. For easier access to the third row, the Pilot comes with a One-Touch Second Row Walk-in that slides the second row seats forward. In addition, the Pilot comes standard with triple-zone climate control for front, second and third row occupants. Back to the driver's seat, yo wil be greeted by a wide LCD screen that serves as the car's multi-information display. For added convenience, the Pilot comes standard with a power tailgate.

Moving to the Touareg, it too has a high-quality interior with leather seats, piano black and aluminum trim and soft-touch materials throughout. Unlike the Pilot, it seats five since the Touareg is shorter than the Honda. It does have quad-zone climate control for four of the five passengers to individually set their preferred air con settings.

For more space, the second row folds flat and also comes with sliding cargo hooks to prevent items shifting around the cargo area. In its instrument cluster, a high-resolution TFT screen that supplies vehicle information as well as data. Like the Pilot, it too comes with a power tailgate.

Being premium vehicles, one expects high-tech infortainment systems. In the Touareg, it has Volkswagen's RCD550 system. It is a large color touchscreen that handles the car's entertainment functions as well as vehicle information. A six CD-Changer is also integrated in RCD550. In the glovebox, one will find the Media Device Interface that allows users to plug in their smartphones and sync it to the Touareg's infotainment system. Sound is then channeled though eight speakers.

In the Pilot, it gets a larger 8-inch touchscreen upgraded from the standard Honda units. The system allows full command of music, videos, applications, mobile browsing and smartphone mirroring. Devices can be paired via Bluetooth, HDMI and USB. In addition, it has a Rear Entertainment System that offers multimedia options to other passengers.

Exterior-wise, the Touareg blends classic and modern Teutonic cues. Rounded edges and sharp lines dominate Volkswagen's crossover from its aggressive-looking headlights to the curves in the wheelarches. Its roof rails are given an aluminum-look as the roof-line gently sweeps downwards. Illumination is provided by a pair of Xenons with LED daytime running lights and the Touareg rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.

In the Pilot, it sports Honda's Solid Wing Face design language that integrates the headlights and grill into one form. Giving it a sportier look is a honeycomb treatment on the lower half of the grill and air intakes. The bottom half of the car is given black cladding. Pilots come with automatic LED projector headlights with automatic self leveling. These units are also accompanied by LED daytime running lights and foglights.

For safety features, the Touareg comes standard with ABS with EBD, Traction Control, Electronic Stabilisation Program, Rain sensors for the wipers and 9 airbags. Moving on to the Pilot, it is equipped with Honda Sensing, that prevents accidents through various assists. Honda Sensing includes Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Forward Collision Warning. These are on top of ABS with EBD, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Assist and six airbags.

The Honda Pilot starts at Php3,380,000 while the Volkswagen Touareg's base price is set at Php 4,090,000 for the Trendline Edition and moves up to Php 4,290,000 for the Sport Edition.

And that concludes our quick comparison of two offering from the premium crossover segment. Without a doubt, these high-end offerings promise to deliver style, class, versatility and safety all in one package. With these vehicles, you can ride in style and be a family man or woman no matter the weather.