Gonna rub it in a little:
VW Touareg Diesel: $57,800 MSRP EPA rated at 17/25 Mercedes M350 BlueTec Diesel: $47,674 MSRP, EPA rated 17/24
Hands-down the Mercedes is a better vehicle in every aspect. Still a pig, but a much better pig.
CC: MSRP $38,700 in gasoline. Mercedes C350: MSRP $32,900 in gasoline
For the Mercedes
Interior Dimensions:
Tow Capacity (Standard) NR Tow Capacity (Maximum) NR Headroom (Front) 37.1 Headroom (Row 2) 36.9 Hiproom (Front) 52.3 Hiproom (Row 2) 54.9 Legroom (Front) 41.7 Legroom (Row 2) 33.4 Shoulder Room (Front) 54.7 Shoulder Room (Row 2) 55.1 Seating (Maximum) 5
For the VW:
EPA Class Compact Seating Capacity Four Passenger Volume 93.6 ft3 (2.7 m3) Cargo Volume 13.0 ft3 (0.4 m3) Front Rear Volume 50.4 ft3 (1.4 m3) 43.2 ft3 (1.2 m3) Head Room 37.4 in (949 mm) 36.6 in (930 mm) Shoulder Room 56.0 in (1,422 mm) 54.7 in (1,389 mm) Leg Room 41.6 in (1,057 mm) 37.3 in (947 mm)
The VW is a bit larger per-person, but seats only four.
Further to that, the Benz will come in a diesel shortly. Which will be rated at a combined mileage of just under 43 mpg.
As I stated earlier: VW is competing against better, less expensive, more efficient vehicles with badly conceived, poorly executed material. This tends to happen when manufacturers stray from their comfort zone and try to be all things to all people.
Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA