VW’s largest SUV is due for a mid-life update and we’ve already spotted it testing
- Mild exterior design tweaks
- New infotainment software expected
- Due to arrive late 2023
The Volkswagen Touareg is set to receive an update in 2023. Volkswagen’s largest SUV made its debut all the way back in 2018, with this mid-life facelift set to bring a mild exterior refresh as well as new infotainment software and a refined engine range.
Due to arrive towards the end of 2023, the updated Touareg will renew its rivalry with other large premium SUVs such as the BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery. We’ve managed to spy test mules of the updated car out patrolling the roads of Germany, giving us a glimpse of what we can expect from this new model.
We don’t expect the overall design of the car to change all that much, however, the new Touareg will sport a redesigned front grille, stamped with the updated version of the Volkswagen logo. This will be flanked by an updated set of LED headlights, no doubt with a revised signature and possibly even part of a full-width front light bar.
Sitting beneath this we can see the new car will get larger air intakes than before, with R-Line and high-performance Touareg R variants getting aggressive model-specific trim pieces. While the test mule can be seen sitting on the current car’s 20-inch alloy wheels, we expect new wheel designs to debut with the facelift, alongside other customisation options such as new paint colours and interior upholstery.
Speaking of the interior, the Volkswagen Touareg already features VW’s latest ‘Innovation Cockpit’ infotainment setup, comprising a 15-inch touchscreen alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. We don’t expect anything to change on the hardware side of things, however, the upcoming all-electric ID.7 has showcased the German marque’s latest in-car software, which could also possibly make its way into the Touareg.
Strip away the bodywork and you’ll find the Toareg shares the same MLB Evo underpinnings as other high-end VW Group SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. This doesn’t allow for full electrification, so it’s unlikely we’ll see an ID. Touareg anytime soon.
We could, however, see the Toureg’s lineup of 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines receive 48-volt mild hybrid assistance, like that seen in the more-expensive Q7. This should not only come as a benefit to fuel economy, but could mean a bump in power, too.
The plug-in hybrid Touareg R – which is currently not available to order – could also return and see its battery size bumped from 14.1kWh to 17.9kWh, potentially increasing its pure-electric range to over 30 miles. Not only would this mean many more people could cover their commute on electric power alone, but it would slot the Touareg into the low 12% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket for company car drivers.
At this stage it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the new Touareg will cost when it goes on sale, but we expect an uplift over the current car’s £56,125 starting price. Still, we expect the revised version of the VW SUV to remain cheaper than rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz, maintaining the car’s appeal.
Keyword: 2023 Volkswagen Touareg facelift: all the details