The Volkswagen Touareg is type of the automotive equal of an unbranded designer purse.
How? Effectively it’s underpinned by the identical mechanical bones because the Audi Q7 and Q8, in addition to the Porsche Cayenne and the extra boutique Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.
It’s not solely the MLB evo chassis of Volkswagen’s flagship SUV that’s shared with these different costlier fashions, however a lot of its engineering and know-how as properly – proper right down to engines and chassis tech like 48V anti-roll bars.
Whereas this entry-level Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI does with out a few of the fancier options which might be extra available additional up the vary, these strong shared foundations make for unimaginable worth when you think about the Touareg is a few $20,000 cheaper at base degree than essentially the most reasonably priced Audi Q7 in Australia.
As a part of a mid-life facelift launched in 2024, the bottom Touareg received a stack of additional gear and a worth discount – unparalleled today – turning the bottom grade from a foot visitors driver to the worth decide of the lineup.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid
It’s not as low cost because the earlier era was, however for lower than $100,000 on the highway you may nonetheless get right into a Touareg with a really strong customary gear checklist and a drive expertise that’s as polished as many luxurious SUVs costing tens if not tons of of 1000’s extra.
Wish to know extra? Learn on to search out out.
How does the Volkswagen Touareg examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen Touareg in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Volkswagen
Touareg
The entry-level Touareg variant now we have on take a look at begins from $86,790 earlier than on-road prices, which is fairly attainable by European giant SUV requirements – the associated Audi Q7 begins from $108,815 plus on-roads, and for that worth you get a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI | $86,790 |
| Volkswagen Touareg 210TDI Magnificence | $99,990 |
| Volkswagen Touareg 210TDI R-Line | $109,990 |
| Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid | $129,990 |
There are just a few extra-cost choices obtainable that may add a bit to the sticker, together with premium paint ($2200-$2700), a panoramic sunroof ($3300), and the Sound & Consolation Bundle ($8500) – extra on that additional down.
Nonetheless, even a completely optioned Touareg 170TDI is available in beneath the bottom worth of an entry-level Audi Q7 45 TFSI quattro.
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
The Touareg’s mid-life refresh introduced a variety of refined however significant enhancements to the cabin.
After initially being criticised for patchy materials high quality and the outgoing mannequin’s lacklustre base infotainment and gauge cluster setup, the brand new mannequin has addressed all of those areas to ship a noticeable uplift in atmosphere.
The usual Innovision Cockpit combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and large 15-inch central touchscreen for the infotainment receives the German model’s newest interface, additionally incorporating wi-fi smartphone mirroring for iPhone and Android.
Nicer, padded supplies line the centre console the place your knees relaxation, and the bottom grade’s new open-pore wooden trim insert alongside the width of the dashboard in addition to the door inserts is an aesthetic contact.
Sadly, the fiddly touch-capacitive steering wheel buttons have returned for the sequel. I personally received used to them, however not with out the odd mis-press which is annoying in any state of affairs.
Entrance occupant consolation is great, with fantastically constructed seats and an ethereal really feel to the primary row. Whereas the Touareg has actually pared again on bodily switchgear, the ergonomics are nonetheless top-notch and properly although out.
For instance, the touch-based temperature controls have a devoted toolbar on the base of the show, and the ridge the place the trim insert sits acts as a relaxation so that you don’t go urgent all 4 corners should you’re going over bumps.
Nonetheless, VW used to make incredible temperature dials (like in my Mk7.5 Golf), and these can be simpler and extra satisfying to function.
The shows for the motive force and infotainment seem to supply higher processing energy than earlier than plus improved graphics, which means they load shows extra shortly and easily.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are higher built-in than within the previous wired-only setup, and the native system isn’t too convoluted. The usual eight-speaker sound system additionally punches above its weight with clear and deep sound high quality.
Rear seat lodging has additionally been a energy of the current-generation Touareg, with its prolonged dimensions over the earlier mannequin making it a extra habitable full-size 5 seater. However after all there’s nonetheless no third row, as within the Audi Q7.
Consider it as extra an elevated household wagon, with loads of area even for taller occupants and a flat centre pew so your youngsters received’t be preventing over the window seats.
There are customary rear air vents and loads of storage on this entry specification, however you can even luxe it up with four-zone local weather management and heated outboard rear seats with the obtainable Sound & Consolation Bundle ($8500).
As you’d count on, the requisite ISOFIX factors in addition to top-tether baby seat anchors throughout all three rear seatbacks are included.
Whereas many proceed to be upset that the Touareg nonetheless isn’t obtainable with sevens seats, the 810 litres of quoted boot capability with the rear seats in place is positively capacious.
Fold the rear seats down and it opens up a large 1800 litres of cargo quantity. Regardless of the Touareg’s pitch as a succesful tourer, those that enterprise out of city typically might lament the space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot flooring.
| Dimensions | Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI |
|---|---|
| Size | 4889mm |
| Width | 1984mm |
| Top | 1718mm |
| Wheelbase | 2894mm |
| Cargo capability | 810 litres – rear seats up 1800 litres – rear seats folded |
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
Non-R variations of the Touareg use a 3.0-litre V6 TDI turbo-diesel in Australia, obtainable in two states of tune. On take a look at now we have the lower-grade 170TDI specification.
| Specs | Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 170kW at 4000rpm |
| Torque | 500Nm at 1750-3000rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive sort | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2164kg – tare |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.0 seconds |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 7.3L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 7.1L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 90 litres |
| Gasoline requirement | Diesel |
| AdBlue tank capability | 24 litres |
| CO2 emissions | 192g/km |
| Emissions customary | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 3500kg |
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
Put merely, very properly.
These high-end foundations we’ve touched on already prepared come to the fore on the highway, the place the Touareg feels each bit like a strong and safe tourer.
It might have a diesel engine beneath the bonnet however you’d barely understand it, such is the extent of sound insulation and basic refinement right here. VW’s V6 TDI is a incredible energy unit in the case of efficiency and effectivity.
Even in base 170TDI trim, the Touareg has sufficient shove to drive effortlessly in metropolis visitors or eat up miles on the freeway. Drive it in a demure vogue and also you’ll recover from 1000km between fills, too.
I like how even the steel-sprung Touareg 170TDI wafts alongside nearly each sort of highway floor with out feeling wallowy or ponderous. Volkswagen has completed a wonderful job of placing a near-perfect stability between trip and dealing with right here.
Affect suppression and physique management are very properly managed over sharper hits like tram tracks and potholes, in addition to higher-speed undulations such as you may discover on the Hume Freeway.
The steering is calmly weighted at low speeds for comfort and luxury, but it surely has sufficient weight and accuracy about centre at pace to offer you confidence inspiring stability and a good suggestion of what the entrance wheels are doing in bends. It’s buttery clean, and makes the Touareg really feel like a smaller automobile than it’s.
Whereas this base spec does with out the lively anti-roll bar and rear-wheel steering methods obtainable additional up the vary, the Touareg stays an easy SUV to drive about city regardless of its exterior dimensions, in addition to on the freeway – a correct Swiss military knife.
Even on winding B-roads the well-sorted steering and impartial dealing with, which errs barely on the firmer facet, makes it partaking sufficient for the goal market. In order for you one thing extra centered and communicative, you’d greatest to go to your native Porsche Centre to purchase the Touareg’s Cayenne cousin – although it will value you considerably extra.
Whereas there’s lots to love, that’s to not say the Touareg is ideal – although it is going to be very near excellent for nearly all preferences.
There’s an added layer of compliance in costlier variants fitted with adaptive air suspension, and the sunshine steering talked about earlier might not be fairly as related as some may like.
When driving extra dynamically, the large diesel can at instances be a contact lazy momentarily, earlier than the large single turbo spools as much as offer you a 500Nm thump within the again.
The Touareg can also’t cover its weight. It seems like a giant, heavy automobile. Whereas some folks will like the sensation of solidity and safety, the two.1-tonne Touareg doesn’t masks its heft fairly in addition to its extra dynamic VW Group stablemates just like the Cayenne.
However Volkswagen has up to date the Touareg with its newest suite of driver help applied sciences, which as we’ve seen in its smaller fashions are among the many greatest for basic useability.
Journey Help combines adaptive lane steerage and adaptive cruise management for seamless semi-autonomous freeway cruising, and does an excellent job at driving like a really clean human driver. It’s very not often caught out by somebody chopping you off within the lane forward or patchy markings.
From the bottom degree it’s decked out with about each security system you would need or want, together with blind-spot monitoring, entrance and rear cross-traffic alert, lane protecting help and Emergency Help, which can activate the hazard lights and pull the automobile over if its driver turns into incapacitated.
When parking, sensors and cameras throughout the automotive offer you a great view out of this 4.9m-long, 2.0m-wide household chariot, and there’s an automatic parking assistant must you need the automotive to do the onerous give you the results you want.
Additionally glorious are the usual IQ.Gentle Matrix LED headlights, which supply sturdy illumination and a trick adaptive high-beam operate that may concentrate on highway indicators and change off segments so that you don’t dazzle oncoming visitors.
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
Regardless of being a ‘base’ variant, the entry-level Touareg comes fairly properly geared up.
Touareg 170TDI gear highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Energy tailgate with kick activation
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors with reminiscence and auto-dip
- IQ.Gentle HD Matrix LED headlights
- Innovision Cockpit
- 15-inch touchscreen
- 12-inch digital instrument display
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- FM, AM, DAB+ digital radio
- 8-speaker audio
- Wi-fi telephone charging
- 5 x USB-C ports
- Heated, power-adjustable entrance seats
- Vienna leather-based seat trim
- 30-colour ambient lighting
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Open-pore dashboard wooden trim
- Illuminated door scuff plates
- Cargo administration system for boot
Sound & Consolation Bundle: $8500
- Energy latching doorways – entrance, rear
- Head-up show – projector tyre
- Electrical steering column adjustment incl. reminiscence
- 4-zone local weather management incl. Air Care filtration
- Heated outer rear seats
- Dynaudio Consequence premium audio
- 730W output
- 14 audio system
- 16-channel amplifier
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Anti-theft alarm system
- Safelock deadlocking system
Panoramic sunroof: $3300
Metallic paint: $2200
Premium metallic paint: $2700
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
The Touareg has a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on Euro NCAP checks carried out in 2018.
| Class | Volkswagen Touareg |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 89 per cent (34.0 out of 38) |
| Youngster occupant safety | 88 per cent (43.4 out of 49) |
| Weak highway person safety | 72 per cent (34.6 out of 48) |
| Security help | 78 per cent (10.2 out of 13) |
Normal security gear contains:
- 8 airbags
- Adaptive cruise management
- Driver fatigue detection
- Dynamic Street Signal show
- Emergency Help
- Entrance and rear cross-traffic alert
- Entrance Help (AEB)
- incl. pedestrian monitoring
- Lane Help
- incl. adaptive lane steerage
- Park Help Plus – semi-auto parking
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Manoeuvre braking
- Proactive occupant safety
- Space View encompass cameras
- Velocity limiter
- Facet Help – blind-spot monitor
- Journey Help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Adaptive lane steerage
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
Like the broader vary, the Touareg is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 12 months – customary, then service activated |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | As much as 5 years |
| Whole capped-price service value | $3500 – 5-year Care Plan |
If you wish to see how the Touareg traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
The bottom Touareg may properly be the candy spot within the native lineup.
Even with out the exxy Sound & Consolation Bundle, the entry grade covers all of the bases after which some, and might be rather well decked out. However you’ll have to buy extra upmarket should you will need to have essentially the most premium options obtainable.
The Touareg additionally provides the towing and touring capabilities of one thing like a Ford Everest or Toyota Prado with the type of refinement and luxury extra befitting of its Audi and Porsche sister fashions, making it a wonderful all-rounder for upwardly cell households that want their large near-premium SUV to have the ability to do a little bit of the whole lot.
It’s fairly understated for these not desirous to flash their spending an excessive amount of, which is kind of typical of Volkswagen merchandise – the Touareg appears as at house on the nation membership or vineyard because it does within the suburban buying centre carpark.
Credit score to Volkswagen for addressing the few criticisms of the newest era Touareg, whereas additionally bringing costs down.
However there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. Some folks don’t need diesels anymore, even when the Touareg’s AdBlue-equipped V6 TDI is comparatively environment friendly and cleaner by present trade requirements.
It’s a disgrace the V6 TSI petrol and lower-spec eHybrid PHEV powertrains should not obtainable right here, given many equally sized rivals are beginning to supply comparable diesel options. The PHEV specifically tailors the Touareg for metropolis use even additional.
The touch-capacitive steering wheel controls stay one other gripe, as is the lowered variety of paint color and alloy wheel choices obtainable regionally relative to different markets just like the UK. Consumers spending this a lot needs to be afforded extra alternative. Lastly, the dearth of a 3rd row additionally takes it off the checklist for lots of Australian patrons, even when they don’t want seven seats.
Nonetheless, the Touareg stays among the finest giant SUVs cash can purchase. It may do absolutely anything you ask of it properly, and with out breaking a sweat.
Thinking about shopping for a Volkswagen Touareg? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
Click on the photographs for the complete gallery
