Volkswagen Touareg (2010 – 2018) Review

If you're looking for the newer version, you need our Volkswagen Touareg review. 

Launched in 2010, the Volkswagen Touareg is a large SUV that’s able to rub shoulders with the likes of the Range Rover, BMW X5 and Audi Q7. When viewed in the context of its luxury rivals, the relatively high prices start to make more sense, especially if you opt for the improved facelifted version, introduced in 2014. Most versions are powered by a punchy and efficient 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, while all models get four-wheel-drive as standard. 

The second-generation Volkswagen Touareg is a luxury SUV for those who don’t require a ‘luxury’ badge. Launched in 2010, it picked up where its predecessor left off, building on its strengths and eliminating some of its flaws. It shares a platform with the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7, so there’s no doubting its pedigree. It’s also large enough and sufficiently luxurious to rival a Range Rover.

Opt for a facelifted version, launched in 2014, and the Volkswagen Touareg still looks contemporary today. Understated, almost elegant and certainly less aggressive than some of its rivals with more premium badges. The cabin is rich in quality and loaded with neat details, feeling a step up from other Volkswagen models.

Unlike some SUVs of this size, the Touareg doesn’t offer the option of seven seats. But while this limits its appeal in terms of family buyers, the result is an SUV that offers seating for five adults, with ample space in the boot for their luggage. Regardless of where you’re sitting, you’ll find plenty of room for your heads, shoulders, knees and toes. Other children’s songs are available.

In the front, the driver and passenger will enjoy a commanding view of the road ahead, a dashboard that’s finished in premium materials, and supremely comfortable seats. The 580-litre boot is vast, while folding the rear seats – which can be operated via a control panel in the boot – gives the Touareg enough space to rival a large estate car.

On the road, the Touareg prioritises comfort over agility. All models come with 4Motion four-wheel drive, which provides reassurance in all weathers. Air suspension is an option, taking the already excellent ride quality to another level. The way it deals with corners and potholes is impressive, with the overall effect falling between a Cayenne and a Q7. The best of both worlds, if you like.

Most buyers opted for the 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, which offers a terrific blend of acceleration, torque and economy. There are three versions: 204PS, 245PS and 262PS, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Regardless of the output, the 3.0 V6 TDI is the engine of choice in the Touareg.

The 4.2-litre V8 TDI is amusing but rare, while the 3.0-litre V6 TSI Hybrid, while quick, doesn’t offer the fuel economy you’d expect and demand from a hybrid powertrain. Both are best avoided when buying a used Touareg.

You could argue that the Volkswagen Touareg is stuck between a rock and a hard place in the large SUV segment. It lacks the premium badge desired by many buyers, but isn’t cheap enough to rival the more mainstream players in the sector. Your neighbours might think you’ve bought a fat Volkswagen Tiguan.

Maybe that’s its biggest strength. For buyers who aren’t fussed about having the ‘right’ badge, but would like a touch more luxury than the mainstream models can offer, the Touareg is an obvious choice. It’s a Range Rover for people who don’t want a Range Rover (or to venture too far off-road).

The Touareg is so big inside, you’ll almost hear an echo, echo, echo… Sensibly, Volkswagen resisted the urge to stick an extra pair of seats in the back, so the Touareg is a properly cavernous five-seater. It feels luxurious, regardless of where you’re sitting, so there’s plenty of growing room for your children. Even the middle rear seat is comfortable, which isn’t something you can say about all SUVs.

Predictably, the boot is massive, offering 580 litres of luggage capacity, which is accessed by a square and wide opening. Folding the rear seats extends it to 1,642 litres of space, which is enough to rival some large estate cars.

Some versions get an electric tailgate, while all models feature a control panel in the boot for releasing the rear seat backrests and towbar, if fitted. Up front, the driver gets a commanding driving position, which feels as imperious as a Range Rover.

If you covered the badge on the steering wheel, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in an Audi or Porsche. It’s that good.

The materials feel upmarket, the controls and switches operate with precision and solidity, while the doors shut with a reassuring thud. The feeling of quality is enhanced by an interior that’s wonderfully insulated from the outside world and a general hushness inside the cabin. It’s not showy, it’s just… nice.

All versions come with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring sat-nav, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth. It’s not particularly slick or swish, but it’s easy to use on the move, and the display is crisp and clear.

It’s worth buying a post-facelift Touraeg, as these models get an even clearer display, along with the benefit of Google Earth and Google Street View maps. These look superb on the screen. We’d also recommend the optional Dynaudio audio upgrade, which delivers 600 watts of sound. It certainly makes the most of the insulated cabin.

Used Volkswagen Touareg prices have dropped as low as £9000, which is a small price for a rather large car. Some caution is required at this end of the market, mind, as you’re looking at early 2010 and 2011 cars with up to 150,000 miles on the clock. Cars with insurance category write-offs to their name are not uncommon. It will almost certainly be a 3.0-litre V6 TDI, but the trim level will vary.

The 4.2-litre V8 TDI is extremely rare. At the time of writing, there was just one example for sale, with the 2012 car we found commanding a price tag of £16,500.

Post-facelift models start from around £14,000. We’d recommend this option, not just for the improved specification, but also for the fact that the revised styling wouldn’t look out of place in Volkswagen’s model range, even in 2020. It has aged far better than the pre-facelift model. The most you’ll have to pay for a Touareg of this generation is £28,000.

If you’re buying on finance, you should budget for around £200 a month on a four-year hire purchase contract. This is based on a 2011 model costing £8000, and a deposit of £1000. A hire purchase deal on a 2017 or 2018 model could cost up to £750 a month, so a PCP deal on a new Touareg might represent better value for money.

A post-facelift Touareg will put the least strain on your wallet, with the 3.0-litre V6 TDI offering a claimed 40.9mpg to 42.8mpg, depending on the trim. But don’t get too excited, because Honest John Real MPG data suggests you’re likely to see 29.9mpg in the real world. Ouch.

There’s better news if you opt for the rare 4.2-litre V8 TDI, because although the official figure is 31.0mpg, the reality is closer to 30.0mpg. That means the V8 could be more efficient than the V6. The 3.0-litre TSI Hybrid offered a claimed 34.4mpg, but you’re unlikely to see that in the real world. A heavy car and a large petrol engine isn’t an efficient combination, even with an electric motor.

Insurance costs are reasonable for a car of this size, with group ratings of 35 to 40. Avoid the V8 TDI (group 46) and Hybrid (45), as these are very expensive to insure. These ratings are more commonly associated with performance cars.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is also expensive. Post-facelift models enjoy a cut in CO2 emissions, but you’ll still pay £240 a year. You’ll pay £565 a year for the V8 TDI.

It feels mature and safe on the move, with Volkswagen focusing on ride comfort rather than precision handling. The optional air suspension gives the Touareg genuine luxury car qualities.

A few electronic aids are available for some mild green-laning, but most cars will spend more time on the road. That said, the Escape model features a locking rear differential, an electronically-controlled centre differential lock, underbody protection and a larger fuel tank, making this the best Touareg for off-roading.

Back on the straight and narrow, the Touareg falls somewhere between a Porsche Cayenne and a Range Rover. Not as precise as the former and not as luxurious as the latter, but arguably offering the best of both worlds.

The 3.0-litre V6 TDI is by far the most common engine in the Volkswagen Touareg. At launch, it was available in two power outputs: 204PS and 245PS. Either way, the engine offers an excellent blend of punchy performance, brisk acceleration and adequate fuel economy. The 245PS version was upgraded to 262PS as part of the 2014 facelift, making it even quicker but more efficient.

It’s hard to make a case for the other engines. The 3.0-litre V6 TSI Hybrid was quick and smooth, with nearly 400PS of power available. Enthusiastic use of this performance would put a massive dent in the possible fuel savings.

The 4.2-litre V8 offers riotous performance, but was too expensive when new and far from economical. Still, it makes a delightful noise and you will enjoy being part of an exclusive club.

The Touareg doesn’t have a Euro NCAP star safety rating to its name, but we have little doubt that it would have performed well in a crash test. Six airbags were fitted as standard, as was electronic stability control. You also got an anti-theft safety kit and an alarm and immobiliser.

Four-wheel-drive is fitted as standard to provide more secure traction in all weathers. Models with air suspension also have adjustable ride height. Radar cruise control was optional. From 2014, it was enhanced to include city emergency braking and an auto pull-away function for use in city traffic. Automatic post-collision braking was standardised in 2014.

The Volkswagen Touareg is an ideal tow car, offering a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg. Indeed, the 3.0-litre V6 TDI model was a class winner in the Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year awards in 2016.

SE is the 'entry-level' model and is well equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome side window surrounds, leather upholstery, two-zone Climatronic climate control, a leather gearlever, remote central locking, cruise control, automatic lights, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, an electric parking brake, electric windows, a front central armrest, heated front seats, a multifunction display, rain sensitive wipers, sat nav, a CD stereo, ESP stability control, hill descent control, hill start assist, parking sensors and Isofix child seat mount in the outer rear seats.

Escape is designed for more demanding off-road use and comes with a rear differential lock, a central differential lock with an electronically controlled disk lock, a 100-litre fuel tank and underbody protectors in matt chrome.

Altitude gets 19-inch alloy wheels, heat insulating tinted glass, silver roof rails, sports suspension, aluminium effect pedals, Bluetooth and a multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifts.

Altitude V8 adds 20-inch alloys, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, 12-way electric adjustment for driver and front passenger seats including air cushioned side bolsters, automatic dimming rearview mirrors, electric opening and closing tailgate, keyless locking system, panoramic sunroof and Vienna leather upholstery with comfort front seats.

Hybrid is based on the SE, but is a seperate model and comes with 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, silver roof rails, Vienna leather upholstery with comfort front seats, 12-way electric adjustment for the driver and front passenger seats including air cushioned bolsters, Bluetooth, a multifunction steering wheel, keyless locking, a luxury dashboard and an electric tailgate.