Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Touareg review – sublime interior but sedate to drive

“The Volkswagen Touareg has a superb interior and lots of convenience and safety-boosting technology, but it's not a thrilling drivers' car”

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.2 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Relaxing to drive
  • Class-leading interior
  • Cutting-edge technology

Cons

  • No seven-seat option
  • Limited engine choice
  • Feels rather numb to drive

Verdict – is the Volkswagen Toureg a good car?

If you want a comfortable and luxurious SUV, the Touareg’s excellent interior will certainly be up to scratch. However, some may find it difficult to resist the allure of brands with a bit more of an established prestige image in this part of the market. It’s unfortunate there’s no option of seven seats given its size, and we’d like to see a wider choice of engines. As it is, the Touareg is likely to remain a niche pick in the UK, which is a shame given some of its impressive abilities.

Volkswagen Toureg models, specs and alternatives

​​Sitting at the top of VW’s extensive range of SUVs is its flagship, the Touareg. Although the car has been around since 2002, it is now in its third generation and now has a look that brings it into line with the rest of the VW range, albeit with a more upmarket look than some of the brand’s numerous other SUVs. Some buyers might gasp at the Touareg’s starting price of just over £68k, and top-of-the-line R models begin from just under £81k before options.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Touareg has since been joined by mid-size SUVs like the Tiguan, seven-seat Tiguan Allspace and entry-level Volkswagen T-Roc and T-Cross crossovers, plus electric ones. To give the Touareg room to breathe, it’s been made more premium, with powerful engines, slick technology and high-quality materials.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

More reviews

That seems like a brave move, particularly as it puts the Touareg in direct competition with such desirable machines as the Range Rover Sport, Mercedes GLE and BMW X5, as well as the Volvo XC90. The Audi Q5, Q7 and Q8 are arguably its rivals, too – especially as the latter two share their mechanical underpinnings with the Touareg. Their list prices aren’t too disparate when you compare engines and trims like for like, but ultimately the Volkswagen is offered on some very compelling PCP deals.

As a result of the redesign, the Touareg is wider, longer and slightly lower than previous iterations, giving it a more athletic look. As with other flagship models from the Volkswagen Group, it also features a prominent grille and lashings of chrome to make it look both distinctive and expensive. A facelift in 2023 brought even sharper design, with a bolder front end and a fashionable horizontal light bar at the back.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Those bigger dimensions also mean there’s plenty of space inside for adults to stretch out, although there's no seven-seat option here, with the focus on luxury instead of maximum practicality. That’s out of kilter with most of its rivals and may be a drawback for some, although the good news is that there's a massive 810-litre boot and a heavy-duty 3.5-tonne towing capacity nonetheless. Clever tech like Trailer Assist makes reversing a caravan or horsebox an easier job, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Despite its load-carrying credentials, enthusiastic drivers will be pleased to know the Touareg shares its basic underpinnings with the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus, with some of the magic of those three sprinkled on the more affordable VW. Clever active suspension, where fitted, counters body lean for improved composure compared to the previous models, while the engine and automatic gearbox are well suited to the type of cruising most SUV drivers will want to do – even if the big wheels mean the ride can feel quite firm at times. Smaller-wheeled cars (the most basic version comes on 20-inch wheels) ride much more comfortably, even on the basic steel-sprung car, which does without the air suspension of posher models. In fact, a car with spring suspension and 20s will be comfier than one with air suspension and 21s.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Buyers have plenty of trims to choose from in the standard Touareg range; in the past, those have included SE, SEL, R-Line Tech and R-Line Tech Plus, but since the 2023 facelift, only Elegance, Black Edition and R trims are available.

The sporty Volkswagen Touareg R is the range-topper. It’s the first R-badged VW to feature electrification; it’s actually a plug-in hybrid. Fittingly, the R is still the most powerful version, with 456bhp at your disposal and a 0-62mph time of just 5.1 seconds. It feels very heavy due to the hybrid components, while the air suspension is unchanged compared to the Black Edition model’s. Perhaps more importantly, you can get the same engine in a Porsche Cayenne for slightly less money. As a result, the ‘R’ treatment doesn’t really work on something this size, and the Touareg R is likely to remain a rare sight on UK roads.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

All petrol, diesel and hybrid models use 3.0-litre V6 engines and send power through an eight-speed auto gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel drive system. Most Touaregs will be bought with diesel engines (these have either 228bhp or 282bhp, and are smooth and quiet), although the sole pure-petrol option, which makes 335bhp, makes an appealing choice for anyone with a lower annual mileage. So does a lower-powered plug-in hybrid version, which uses a greatly toned-down version of the R’s power train, with 375bhp instead of the full-fat R’s 456bhp. No Touareg is slow, with even the least powerful diesel doing 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, while the R can crack that milestone in just 5.1 seconds. Be prepared for some fairly horrendous fuel bills with use like that, though.

The interior really steals the show, thanks to VW's fantastic 'Innovision Cockpit', featured for the first time in the new Touareg. It sees the dashboard heavily angled towards the driver, with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster appearing to flow into a 15-inch central infotainment panel. This is meant to be customised by each user like a smartphone, with drag-and-drop tiles of information and various car settings assigned to your 'driver profile'. Not only does it look great, it’s intuitive and responsive to use. On older Touaregs it was standard from R-Line Tech upwards, or optional on other trim levels. After the 2023 facelift, it was standard across the range. The whole interior feels beautifully built, placing the Touareg ahead of many rivals.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mazda CX-80 review – spacious seven-seat diesel or plug-in hybrid SUV
Mazda CX-80 front quarter cruising
In-depth reviews
22 Nov 2024

Mazda CX-80 review – spacious seven-seat diesel or plug-in hybrid SUV

Audi Q6 e-tron review – smooth and hi-tech electric SUV
Audi Q6 e-tron front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
22 Nov 2024

Audi Q6 e-tron review – smooth and hi-tech electric SUV

Volvo XC60 review – left-field mid-size premium SUV
Volvo XC60 front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
21 Nov 2024

Volvo XC60 review – left-field mid-size premium SUV

New DS electric SUV coming soon with Tesla-beating 466-mile range
DS electric SUV teaser front quarter
News
21 Nov 2024

New DS electric SUV coming soon with Tesla-beating 466-mile range

Most Popular

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

New Jaguar GT teased: upcoming EV looks like no Jag that’s come before
Jaguar Design Vision Concept teaser
News
21 Nov 2024

New Jaguar GT teased: upcoming EV looks like no Jag that’s come before

More on Touareg

Show me:
The 10 best large SUVs on sale in 2024
Best large SUVs
Best cars
25 Sep 2024

The 10 best large SUVs on sale in 2024

Large SUVs combine cavernous space, bold looks and a commanding view of the road – here are the 10 worth buying
New Volkswagen Touareg goes on sale
Volkswagen Touareg facelift
News
20 Jul 2023

New Volkswagen Touareg goes on sale

VW’s largest SUV has undergone a mid-life update, but now starts with a hefty price tag of almost £68,000
New Volkswagen Touareg R revealed with plug-in hybrid power
Volkswagen Touareg R driving
News
11 Mar 2021

New Volkswagen Touareg R revealed with plug-in hybrid power

2021 Volkswagen Touareg R shares 456bhp powertrain with Bentley Bentayga Hybrid
Volkswagen Touareg gets three new trim levels
Volkswagen Touareg SE
News
6 Dec 2019

Volkswagen Touareg gets three new trim levels

More choice for buyers as SE, SEL Tech and Black Edition trims join the Volkswagen Touareg line-up
Volkswagen Touareg gets flagship 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine
News
7 Mar 2019

Volkswagen Touareg gets flagship 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine

335bhp engine is available on all three trim levels and is well suited to towing
410bhp Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI will debut at Geneva
Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI
News
27 Feb 2019

410bhp Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI will debut at Geneva

VW set to unveil the most powerful model in its range
Volkswagen Touareg R-Line review
News
6 Nov 2018

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line review

In R-Line trim, the Volkswagen Touareg is luxurious and has lots of convenience features
Suzuki Jimny scores just three stars in Euro NCAP test
News
19 Sep 2018

Suzuki Jimny scores just three stars in Euro NCAP test

Euro NCAP announces poor Jimny safety rating as Audi A6 and VW Touareg get five stars
Skip advert
Advertisement
Top 3 used performance SUVs
Tips and advice
22 Aug 2018

Top 3 used performance SUVs

"Dear Carbuyer, I've got £25,000 for a fast prestige SUV that won't cost the earth to run. What do you recommend?"
Entry-level Volkswagen Touareg SUV hits showrooms
News
10 Aug 2018

Entry-level Volkswagen Touareg SUV hits showrooms

New, less powerful Volkswagen Touareg diesel cuts £2,600 from starting price
All-new Volkswagen Touareg unveiled
News
23 Mar 2018

All-new Volkswagen Touareg unveiled

VW shows off its new hi-tech flagship SUV
Volkswagen Touareg SUV (2010-2018)
In-depth reviews
22 Mar 2018

Volkswagen Touareg SUV (2010-2018)

"The Volkswagen Touareg is a decent road car, but under the luxurious interior lurks the mechanicals of a serious off-road machine"
2017 Volkswagen Touareg SUV gets ready for launch
News
3 Mar 2017

2017 Volkswagen Touareg SUV gets ready for launch

All new Volkswagen Touareg gets sharp looks, new platform and hybrid power
Facelifted Volkswagen Touareg announced
News
15 Aug 2014

Facelifted Volkswagen Touareg announced

The revised Volkswagen Touareg starts from £43,000 and offers improved efficiency
Beijing Motor Show 2014: latest news
Audi TT offroad concept front quarter static
News
20 Apr 2014

Beijing Motor Show 2014: latest news

Read our guide to the 2014 Beijing Motor Show for a look at the latest models
Volkswagen Touareg deals: Car deal of the week
Volkswagen Touareg SUV 2013 main
News
23 Aug 2013

Volkswagen Touareg deals: Car deal of the week

You can now get £5,000 off a new Volkswagen Touareg SUV

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024