Volkswagen is about to write a fresh chapter in its big family SUV story as it plans to unveil the all-new 2027 Atlas at the New York International Auto Show. There's a lot of interest in these roomy three-row crossovers today, and VW wants its slice of the action in this competitive field. It's always been a strong contributor to the broader SUV market, and long before it got to work on vehicles like the Atlas, it sold products like the Touareg, which were very successful in their own right.It sold the first-gen Touareg in the US between 2004 and 2010, and this was a more premium and engineering-heavy SUV than people might have expected from the company in its day. It's interesting to look back at these vehicles now as they occupy an interesting niche in the used market. They tend to feel very substantial and well put together from behind the wheel, and they're also trading for some sensible money. What The First Gen Touareg Is VolkswagenVolkswagen made one of its first real attempts to create a luxury-leaning SUV when it debuted the first-generation Touareg. It sat on the same basic architecture as the upmarket Porsche Cayenne, and this already placed it on a more serious structure than the average mid-size SUV elsewhere. The Touareg wasn't as long as the upcoming Atlas, checking in at around 187.2 inches, and this made it easier to cope with on the road while still delivering a more confident and premium feel.The Touareg, in its first generation, came with a four-wheel drive system that had low range gearing and there was a locking rear differential available on some models. You could choose air suspension if you wished and, right from the outset, Volkswagen clearly positioned this vehicle as a good all-rounder with capable off-road abilities. The company wasn't simply trying to create a soft crossover with some chunky styling but was making a serious attempt to shine in a vibrant market.Well-optioned Touaregs would have leather upholstery, memory seating, upgraded wheels and plenty of premium touches. And all of that elevated this tongue-twisting machine in the eyes of the consumer, who tended to associate those features, as well as the vehicle's substantial feel, with more luxury brands. This positioning helps to make the Touareg interesting in the used market today, even though buyers will have to keep a watchful eye out for potential issues. After all, some of the Touareg's engineering-heavy equipment can also bring complexity with advancing age. Volkswagen Offered The Touareg With A Multitude Of Different Engines Volkswagen There are several versions of this Touareg floating around, and it pays to focus on the individual versions and their differences, so you can choose accordingly. As you search, you’ll typically encounter V6, V8, V10 TDI, and possibly V6 TDI models, but sadly, VW never sold its coolest version, the W12, stateside. The most common early model has the 3.2-liter V6, which turned out 220 hp. By mid-decade you could expect a 240-hp V6 and VW eventually moved up to a 3.6-liter VR6 with 280 hp. And in truth, the V6 models are the ones to look out for as a more sensible and restrained way into first-gen Touareg ownership. They're comfortable and smooth if not especially quick by modern standards, but the biggest plus point here is from a repair risk point of view, where these particular versions are probably the least intimidating.If you really want to go muscular, look for the 4.2-liter V8. This will give you 310 hp and 302 lb.-ft of torque, and later in the lifecycle, VW face-lifted this V8 Touareg so that it then turned out 350 hp. With these vehicles, there's no question of capability, speed, or performance, but the downside is that they drink fuel and if you're not careful, their long-term maintenance bills could present a challenge.The famous V10 TDI is probably the engine that gave the Touareg its halo car status among those who know. While it produced 310 hp, the bigger headline figure was its 553 lb.-ft of torque, which was substantial then and is still quite spicy today. Everything about this Touareg is effortless, and it'll pull hard at low revs while cruising with ease, but again, bear in mind that its complex engineering makeup could come back to bite you if you buy a previously neglected version. There is another option if you want plenty of diesel torque but not so much drama and that comes in the shape of the later 3.0-liter V6 TDI. This one still had plenty of torque at 402 lb.-ft to go alongside its 221 hp with better long-distance economy than some gas models. What It's Like To Live With A Touareg Now Volkswagen Around two decades later, the first-gen Touareg still has a lot going for it, especially when it comes to its size. It's shorter than many modern three-row SUVs, so it'll probably feel easier to maneuver into a tight space than today's Atlas, but it still has the road presence and heft of a proper premium vehicle. These Touaregs also have good ride quality, especially if you find one with air suspension on board. Overall, this vehicle should feel capable in severe weather with its standard all-wheel drive and generous torque in the diesel versions. And while Touaregs are not necessarily meant for a lot of heavy off-road work, they should still be sensible for drivers who have to deal with snowy conditions or a lot of rural motoring.On board, the front seats are comfortable with good quality materials that should hold up well and the cabin in general feels more upscale than many mainstream mid-size SUVs from that time. And if you don't expect much in the way of trick technology, then you won't be too disappointed with one of these used Touaregs. Remember that early first-generation versions come from an era where modern driver assistance suites were very rare, so don't expect to find features like lane-centering systems, adaptive cruise control, or even seamless smartphone integration. The infotainment experience is what you might expect from a product of this era, although some owners did try to modernize and update older models with aftermarket units. What A First-Generation Touareg Is Worth VolkswagenA quick peek at the current state of the market reveals that the oldest, high-mileage examples of the marque currently sit around $3,000 nationally, with some models even creeping down into the mid-$2,000 range. This puts entry-level Touaregs in old used car territory even though Volkswagen positioned the model far more ambitiously when new. Still, there are some examples at the enthusiast end of the market and, for those, you may have to pay $10,000 or more. First-gen V10 trucks tend to be more highly priced, with values deep into five figures, and it seems that the market does recognize the more interesting versions.The chart above shows a snapshot of 2008 Touareg values, as equipped with the recommended V6 powertrain. While cheap examples are indeed out there, these should only really be taken on if you're handy with a wrench, or at least anticipate some regular spending with the local VW tech. At the other end, fine examples are selling for upwards of $7,000, and these cars should prove to be easier to live with, plus they still offer serious savings in comparison to much newer, less capable alternatives. You will, of course, need to take in long-term ownership costs and be very selective when you're searching.The smartest purchase for most buyers out there will probably not be the most exotic Touareg but the best kept one. Typically, that'll mean a clean V6 or V6 TDI so long as it has documented maintenance records, but conduct a thorough pre-purchase inspection and be skeptical if you discover any deferred work. However, if you do conduct your due diligence well, you may be able to uncover a premium SUV that just happens to have depreciated hard. And while you might look longingly at a 2027-spec Atlas, you'll nevertheless have your own solid VW SUV that feels like a bargain every time that you climb into it.Sources: Volkswagen.