and would it even be worth the difference

 

To some degree, yes. You can put the Porsche sway bars, springs, shocks and brakes on a Touareg. Whether or not its worth it would depend on how and where you drive the vehicle. For most people just doing normal daily drving I doubt if it would be worth the cost. The Touaregs don't handle poorly.

 

Yea, I have a stock V8 Touareg and I'm extremely impressed with its handling. It's my daily driver 9 months out of the year up here the NW and I throw it around just like a sports car. I've thought about "upgrading" the suspension but it's so well balanced right now, I just don't see how it could be much better.

Does the Cayenne actually handle much better than the Touareg? Any first hand experience out there?

I definately plan to replace my Touareg with a Turbo Cayenne when I wear the Touareg out. Until then, I don't see enough reason to upgrade just yet.

 

We have a Touareg at home and I've driven it quiet a bit. The cayenne feels much more driver orientated and seat's seem to be sportier than those of the Touareg which are more plush.

Cayenne's in general feel more contaced to the road then the VW Touraeg which I felt was slightly wobbly in the turn's and that is even in airsuspension's stiffest setting which is "sport", now note that both of them are on 20" wheels.

 

when I was shopping in late 2005, I test drove the base model X5, ML240 and Touareg V6. The ML350 was the worst of the bunch, very tippy and "floatey" but I did like the 7 speed trans. The X5 was better but the sitting position is too upright again making it feel top heavy and tippy and not great at fast maneuver. The T-reg felt like the Cayenne if the Cayenne had a "Comfort Suspension" option.
The Cayenne.... as we all know has this unique "carving" sensation when driving with the expectation of seeing carved shreds of asphalt in the rear view mirror.
The Cayenne manages to feel like a TANK and handle nicely.