VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 4X4 REVIEW

For The Touareg will be cheaper to buy than most rivals and every version comes with lots of kit. The steering is sharp, the engines are smooth and strong, and the suspension gives a great balance of ride and handling.

Against There’s no seven-seat model and it doesn’t quite feel special enough inside. Resale values are unlikely to match the best in class.

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

The Touareg is a decent all-rounder, but Land Rover’s Discovery is more comfortable and practical, while the Lexus RX450h is easier on the planet.

Reader review rating

4.333333

The Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 full review Read in full

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
All three engines are strong
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Sharp steering, but a knobbly ride
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
A quiet long-distance cruiser
Buying & Owning
3 out of 5 stars
Resale values are the main concern
Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Shares a lot with cheaper Volkswagens
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Scores well in both areas
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Simple controls and lots of adjustment
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Seats five, but not seven
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Every model is well equipped

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There are 7 Volkswagen Touareg versions available

Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 TDI 204 SE 5dr	£40,170	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 TDI 245 SE 5dr	£41,785	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 TDI 245 Escape 5dr	£42,370	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 TDI 204 Altitude 5dr	£42,695	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 TDI 245 Altitude 5dr	£44,310	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 Hybrid 5dr	£57,985	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 4.2 V8 TDI Altitude 5dr	£59,595	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5

Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 3.0 V6 TDI 240 SE 5dr

There are better 4x4s, but this is our favourite Touareg. Its engine is smooth and strong, plus it’s the cheapest and the most fuel-efficient model in the range.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The cheapest Touaregs use a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel. There are two versions with two different outputs, but the more powerful is our favourite thanks to its strong performance and decent economy.

You can also have a hybrid model that combines a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit with an electric motor but, although this offers hot-hatch pace, it costs a lot more to buy and is nowhere near as clean as the rival Lexus RX450h. A 4.2-litre V8 diesel that’s even faster – and even more expensive – completes the line-up.

All Touaregs leather upholstery, climate control, automatic lights and wipers, satellite-navigation, cruise control and parking sensors.

Escape spec adds locking centre- and rear differentials and extra underbody protection, while Altitude swaps these for larger alloys, Bluetooth and fancier interior trim. V8 and Hybrid cars also get bi-xenon headlights and electric front seat adjustment.