VW's Seven-Seat SUV Caught Testing in the Rockies

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

Volkswagen’s large seven-seat SUV has been spotted testing once again, this time in the Rocky Mountains.

The new Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander competitor has lost even more of its camo, showing off its grille and headlights. From the side, it is easy to see the influence of the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept while the rear end is reminiscent of the new Passat.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Wants to Build a Tesla Model 3 Fighter

Under the hood, a 3.6-liter V6, also borrowed from the Passat, is expected to send power to the front wheels as standard or to all four wheels through VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. A small 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also a possibility as a base option. At the moment, it doesn’t seem likely that diesel will be offered in this SUV, though a hybrid version could become a reality.

Underpinning the SUV is Volkswagen’s new MQB platform which also supports the Golf family and will carry most of Volkswagen’s vehicles in the future. That also means that the interior of this SUV will likely stay close to what is seen in new Golf models.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Teases New Seven-Seat SUV

Pricing for the new SUV should top out around the $50,000 mark, making this one of the most expensive models that Volkswagen will sell in the U.S.

This new SUV will be built in the U.S. at VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee assembly plant. A production version of the SUV is likely to be unveiled at a major U.S. auto show, possibly Los Angeles or Detroit, while the vehicle should be in showrooms by mid to late 2017.

Discuss this story at our Volkswagen Forum

Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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 3 comments
  • Tim J Moore Tim J Moore on Jun 16, 2016

    "Pricing for the new SUV should top out around the $50,000 mark, making this the most expensive model that Volkswagen will sell in the U.S." Well, the current VW Touareg (not special ordered), starts at $49,705, and the Touareg V6 Executive starts at $60,185. So did you simply make a typo error, or did you simply fail to go to vw.com and check prices?

    • Autoguide Autoguide on Jun 16, 2016

      It was a mistake. It should say, "making it one of the most expensive models that Volkswagen will sell in the U.S." The article has been updated. Thanks!

  • Evan M. Evan M. on Jun 16, 2016

    So there is this model plus and Tiguan 7 seater? Does VW think all Americans are that fat?

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