We've owned both - a 2004 VW Touareg V8 and our current 2005 LR3 SE V8. Here is my take:
Exterior styling - Advantage: Toss Up.
I loved the look of our Touareg and still feel it is one of the better looking cars on the road. However, the LR3 is very nice looking, instantly recognizable, and more of a SUV in my opinion.
Interior - Advantage: Touareg.
The TReg definitely has a more luxurious interior than the LR3 and it honestly seemed to hold up better than our LR3 interior is (we have a black interior on the Rover and it always seems dirty). However, and I know this sounds crazy, I LOVE all the little storage areas in the Rover - it is awesome (cupholders too
).
Handling - Advantage: Touareg.
The Touareg definitely handled better than the LR3, and our egg didn't have the air suspension. However, neither is a sports car for sure, and both feel very safe and secure, but you'll never get the LR3 in to a 4 wheel drift coming on to an onramp like you would the TReg (I honestly saw another TReg driver do that - must have been the V10 TDI
)
Ride - Advantage: LR3
No contest. The Rover rides much nicer, which is a more important feature for me in a sport utility. I have a sports car that will jar my teeth loose if I want it - our family wagon shouldn't be that way. The Touareg tried too hard to be the perfect compromise between Sport and Utility (think Cayenne).
Fun to drive - Advantage: Toss up
The Touareg was fun to drive, but it never quite gave me the feeling I get driving the LR3. In the LR3 you get all kinds of looks, feel like you could drive over/through anything and get great respect at the valet (not that that should matter, but it is a different experience versus the TReg). Since my wife drives it most the time, it is really a treat for me to drive it when I can.
Safety/security - Advantage: LR3
We always felt very safe in the TReg, but in the LR3 you feel like you are in a tank. It is amazing - I wouldn't want my wife (and soon to be baby boy) driving around in anything else. Tons of air bags, heavy, every safety feature imaginable.
Space - Advantage: LR3
No contest. The LR3 has TONS more space.
Reliability - Advantage: Toss up
Honestly, they both suck. But I fell in love driving European cars a long time ago and I have just learned to accept the fact that you will have problems. Rarely will they be big problems, but they will be annoying, and you will get to know your dealer on a first name basis. You won't want to own either out of warranty. Which brings us to dealers
Dealer - Advantage: LR3
Once again, no contest. I always feel special at our LR dealer, and they are fantastic (I once sent an email on a Saturday night about something I needed done ASAP that next week - the General Manager called me within five minutes of sending my email - amazing). VW dealers are very hit or miss - one of ours in town was good, one sucked.
Gas mileage - Advantage: LR3
I am continuously amazed at the gas mileage we get with the Rover. Both of our cars had V8s, 6-speed autos, AWD, etc and the LR3 averages mid to high teens while the TReg averaged mid to low teens.
Power - Advantage: Toss up
Both have great power (IMO). If you want really great power, go for the V10 TDI TReg (nothing can touch it).
Neat features - Advantage: Toss up
Because the Touareg is a VW/Audi group car, you can play around with it via a device called a VAGCOM. I always thought that was fun. However, nothing touches the gizmos the LR3 has for offroading. They both have fun little items.
Amenities - Advantage: Toss up
The rover has more off road toys, our egg had more interior toys (like the keyless entry, memory seats, etc). If you get an HSE LR3 or a fully loaded TReg they are pretty equal.
Off Road - Advantage: LR3
The TReg is good off road. The LR3 is amazing off road (just do a google video search and you'll see what I mean).
So there is my two cents. Feel free to ask any questions.
-Rich
