Skip advert
Advertisement

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"

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.2 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Decent economy and emissions
  • Smart, restrained styling
  • Solid, well built cabin

Cons

  • Quite expensive to buy
  • Feels a bit dated overall
  • Seven seats not available

The Volkswagen Touareg is the largest SUV in the German firm’s range. It goes up against a list of talented rivals that includes the BMW X5, Lexus RX and Mercedes GLE, as well as the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Velar. It’s the biggest and most luxurious Volkswagen but a model that’s reaching the end of its production life.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If you’ve been keeping up to date with new additions to the rest of the Volkswagen range, you’ll know that the company is introducing sharper designs across the board; the Volkswagen Tiguan, all-new T-Roc SUV and Polo supermini can’t help but make the Touareg look dated in that regard. The current Touareg has been available since 2010, albeit with a facelift a couple of years ago to keep things fresh, and an all-new model is due to arrive in 2018.

The Touareg remains an accomplished all-round luxury SUV despite its age. It is large, solidly built and majors on practicality, even if its more modern rivals offer more for most buyers in almost every department. The Touareg’s styling lacks the flair of the Range Rover Velar, but doesn’t lag too far behind its more traditional German rivals.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, the Touareg feels high-quality but old-fashioned. High-grade plastics, metal trim and swathes of leather are all as expected for a car of this type. There’s a large central touchscreen for the car’s infotainment system, but it’s not as sophisticated as those found in most rivas. Volkswagen’s Active Info Display – a screen which replaces the traditional dials behind the steering wheel – is notable by its absence. Needless to say, if you want the latest, most modern luxury SUV available, you’ll have to wait for the Touareg’s forthcoming replacement.

Interior space is adequate, with lots of shoulder room thanks to its considerable width and plenty of legroom. The Touareg is strictly a five-seater, so if you’d like a seven-seat option, you’ll need to look at cars like the Land Rover Discovery.

There’s only one engine – a 3.0-litre diesel V6 with either 201 or 258bhp – but it’s well suited to the Touareg, providing smooth and brisk performance. Both are fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and return just over 40mpg, while road tax costs £450 annually.

Available trim levels are called SE, R-Line and R-Line Plus, with all three offering copious amounts of kit thanks to the Touareg’s flagship status. The SE model has conservative looks, while R-Line versions are fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, body styling accessories and different seats for a sportier feel. The R-Line Plus does what it says, making the wheels an inch larger and enhancing the leather and interior trim.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen Touareg review – sublime interior but sedate to drive
Volkswagen Touareg facelift
In-depth reviews
11 Apr 2024

Volkswagen Touareg review – sublime interior but sedate to drive

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range
Ford Explorer Carbuyer UK drive
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Ford Explorer review – good-to-drive EV with a long range

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

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