Volkswagen Touareg - TopCarNews

Volkswagen Touareg (2018 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Volkswagen Touareg is a large SUV, which sits above the Tiguan in the Volkswagen SUV range. The current model is the third generation, which was launched in 2018. Like previous Touaregs, it shares much of its componentry with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne – and all are built on the same production line in Bratislava.

A higher-performance plug-in hybrid model called the Touareg R was launched in early 2020, which is not covered here. We will update this page to include it once we have a sufficient number of UK reviews.

The Volkswagen Touareg has received mixed reviews from the UK media, varying from average to very good and with contrasting opinions regarding the car’s comfort and value for money.

Its overall Expert Rating of 66% (as of December 2021) is lower than most other Volkswagen models we have analysed. One of the main issues is that the Touareg is not that much cheaper than its highly-regarded sister model, the Audi Q7. The Touareg is also only a five-seater car, whereas the Audi Q7 and several other rivals offer seven seats.

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £51,900 on-road

Launched: Summer 2018Last updated: Spring 2020
Replacement due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic SEL Tech“The Volkswagen Touareg might represent somewhat of an old guard of SUVs, but it’s still a wonderfully well-rounded choice in the segment. It’s comfortable, practical and well-styled while also being exceptionally well-appointed inside.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen Touareg is a quick, comfortable and refined luxury SUV that comes loaded with clever technology.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The third-generation Volkswagen Touareg is quiet and smooth on the road, and comes with an impressively powerful engine and lots of advanced technology. A modern look and roomy cabin should make it popular with business and family buyers alike, even if it lacks the option of seven seats.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic Black EditionScore: 7 / 10“The Volkswagen Touareg has a certain understated appeal as an unpretentious luxury SUV, but range-topping Black Edition trim does nothing to enhance it.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Broadly speaking, the Volkswagen Touareg is a respectable effort but it risks anonymity in too many ways to earn a really telling recommendation.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0 TSIScore: 6 / 10“Given the engine is a quiet one, this Touareg makes for a very comfortable and compelling car for covering long distances in, if a pricey one to run while doing so.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“It’s a successful evolution of a big-selling car. It may be a little short on magic and mystery, but it drives well and looks after you.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line TechScore: 9 / 10“This third generation of the Volkswagen Touareg is a very capable car and despite its chassis siblings being particularly excellent, the Volkswagen holds its own – even if the Audi Q7 is only marginally more expensive.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen Touareg has a superb interior and lots of convenience and safety-boosting technology, but it’s not a thrilling drivers’ car.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Volkswagen Touareg is a very large SUV with a spacious cabin, a practical boot and a bang-up-to-date infotainment system but it doesn’t feel as posh inside as some alternatives.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line Tech“The new Volkswagen Touareg is rightly described as the pinnacle by VW, and it drives nicely, looks great and is packed with technology at the higher trim levels. But it’s also not cheap, and efficiency is an issue as it sits in the maximum BIK band.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic R-LineScore: 6 / 10“The Volkswagen Touareg isn’t for the fashion-conscious SUV buyer, and what its new V6 petrol engine offers in refinement and pace, it loses in thirst.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Despite its gargantuan size, the Volkswagen Touareg feels surprisingly light-footed at slow speeds – the optional four-wheel steering giving it the same turning circle as a VW Golf. This means it’s easy to guide this large SUV into a parking bay or driveway.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic“The Volkswagen Touareg comes with all-wheel steering to make it feel more agile around town, while trick active roll compensation means it remains remarkably composed in bends. It’s not as fun to drive as the Porsche Cayenne, obviously, but you could easily forget you’re driving a two-tonne SUV.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“When you consider the company it keeps, the Volkswagen Touareg is a bit of a bargain.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“Impressively luxurious full-size SUV majors on comfort and tech”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line“Dashing new VW Touareg finally catches the eye after 16 years of ‘ordinary’”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic“In the company of the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Audi Q7, you might think the Volkswagen Touareg would wilt — but instead it pretty much rules the roost.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line TechScore: 8 / 10“If you’re not too picky about the badge on the front, the Volkswagen will do very nicely. It may have triggered a fit of boredom in Jeremy Clarkson, but it’s still a very nice car.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic SELScore: 6 / 10“The Volkswagen Touareg was already immensely spacious and decent value; with this new engine, it’s genuinely fast, and sounds rather pleasing into the bargain. But that isn’t quite enough to make it feel special enough to tempt you away from its more expensive rivals.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic R-Line TechScore: 8 / 10“Volkswagen set out to make the Touareg its most sophisticated and technically advanced car yet, and has delivered. Smooth and powerful to drive, luxuriously refined and with a standout interior, the Touareg has a wow factor that could see it stealing sales from more upmarket rivals.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Often forgotten in favour of more exotic fare, the Volkswagen Touareg is a hidden SUV hero.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6 / 10“Definitely worth considering though, if you want a big, high-quality SUV and want to slip past largely unnoticed.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Practical for five people, luggage space is plentiful and it’s good value in the lower trim levels, but in terms of interior quality and ride comfort the Volkswagen Touareg lags behind its rivals. It also lacks the flexibility of seven seats.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Volkswagen Touareg is a very impressive machine in many respects. To drive, it’s among the best large SUVs on the market, with excellent handling and ride comfort. It’s also very practical, thanks to its big boot and generous passenger space.”
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2018

89%

ADULT OCCUPANT

86%

CHILD OCCUPANT

72%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

81%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Volkswagen Touareg has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP, and only a few cars have do far been assessed. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.

If and when the Touareg is tested by Green NCAP, we’ll publish the results here.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Touareg has received

2021

Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for Towing

2019

Parkers New Car Awards – Best Tow Car
Tow Car Awards – Best Tow Car over 1,700kg

2018

Parkers New Car Awards – Best Tow Car
Tow Car Awards – Best Tow Car over 1,700kg

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