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VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN MPV REVIEW

For The Touran has a roomy cabin and more flexibility than a Vauxhall Zafira or Renault Scénic. The build is classy, too, while resale values are strong and the drive strikes a fine balance between comfort and control.

Against Newer rivals offer more versatile seating and more stowage areas, while the cheaper engines are a bit underpowered and refinement is disappointing.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

The Touran is classy, desirable, well built and an excellent drive. It's practical, too, even though it's not quite as clever as some MPV rivals.

Reader review rating

2.791667

The Volkswagen Touran MPV full review Read in full

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Offered with a wide range of engines
Ride & Handling
4 out of 5 stars
Firm ride; body control is superb
Refinement
3 out of 5 stars
Noisy diesel engines let the side down
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Key models are affordable
Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Solid, but not especially impresive
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Good safety kit and top crash rating
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Fine driving position; clear controls
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Practical, but not as clever as some
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Plenty of toys on all models

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There are 9 Volkswagen Touran versions available

Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.6 S 5dr	£17,075	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.9 TDI 90 S 5dr	£18,015	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.9 TDI 105 S 5dr	£18,555	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.9 TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech S 5dr	£18,795	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.9 TDI 105 Match 5dr	£21,295	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.4 TSI Match 5dr	£21,570	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.9 TDI 105 Bmotion Tech Match 5dr	£21,880	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 2.0 TDI 140 Match 5dr	£22,590	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Touran MPV 2.0 TDI 170 DPF Match 5dr	£23,765	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

Volkswagen Touran MPV 1.9 TDI 105 S 5dr

It may not be the last word in refinement, but it's hard to argue against the economy, equipment and value for money offered by this version of the Touran.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Volkswagen's answer to the Vauxhall Zafira and Renault Scenic is a versatile people carrier that can seat seven in plenty of comfort. It can even cope with two adults in the third row of seats if required, though these pews are better suited to children for longer trips.

When not needed, the third-row seats fold flat into the floor to leave a large load bed, while the middle row tips, folds and can be removed altogether to create a huge cargo bay.

All Tourans come with air conditioning and a CD player, as well as electric front windows, alloy wheels and two-way adjustable steering for excellent driver comfort.

There's a fair spread of engines, though the 1.6-litre petrol can struggle to shift a fully loaded car. Our favourite is the 1.9 turbodiesel that is frugal and has loads of lugging power.

Based on the previous generation Golf, the Touran has good body control, a fine ride and good handling for this sort of car, and it's reasonably refined.