Volkswagen Touareg Review: Features, Interior & Driving Experience

Introduction

The Volkswagen Touareg is the brand’s flagship SUV. It competes with the BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The new Touareg is built on the group’s MLBevo platform, sharing components with more luxurious models like the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Porsche Cayenne.

Exterior

The most stylish Touareg to date, this all-new model is a fine blend of muscularity and elegance. It features large 21-inch alloys that fill the wheel wells, while the big, vertical chrome grille lends it an identity that is unmistakably Volkswagen.

Our test car, being the sporty R-Line model, includes a host of upgrades to differentiate it from the standard version, such as:

• Gloss black surrounds around the air intakes
• Unique bumpers in the front and back
• Body-colored fender flares and side skirts
• Distinct R-Line badges on the fenders and grille

Interior

Modern and luxurious, the cabin of the Volkswagen Touareg is covered in plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, making it a very nice place to be. Cortina silver trim complements the piano black and dark leather interior. The R-Line model features contrast stitching on the steering wheel, seats, center armrest, gear lever, and carpets.

The highlight of the cabin is what Volkswagen refers to as the ‘Digital Innovision Cockpit’, which combines a 15-inch infotainment screen with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, totaling a stunning 27.3-inch screen in front of the driver.

The rear seats offer ample headroom and legroom, with a sliding and reclining second row to ensure comfort for all passengers. The four A/C vents and dual-zone climate control system enhance rear-seat comfort, while two concealed USB charging ports mean you won’t hear any complaints from gadget-loving kids in the back.

Features

The new Touareg is packed with features designed to attract buyers away from the competition. Key highlights include:

• Full-length panoramic roof, the largest fitted to any Volkswagen to date
• Seat massagers, possibly the best in the business
• 30-color ambient lighting system
• Wireless phone charger
• Soft closing doors

On the safety front, the Touareg offers:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Self-parking assist
• Night vision assist
• Full adaptive cruise control with lane keeping

Drive

The all-new Touareg is available with two engine options. Our tester is equipped with the larger, 3.0-liter turbocharged unit that produces 340 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. All this power is transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission to a permanent all-wheel-drive system that Volkswagen refers to as 4Motion.

The new Touareg also features all-wheel steering, making it more maneuverable and responsive than its predecessor. Composed of 52% steel and 48% aluminum, the new Touareg has lost a significant 106 kilos despite being longer and wider than the older model.

The air suspension, which offers four ride heights depending on whether you’re driving on or off-road, effectively absorbs bumps and provides an extremely comfortable ride. With minimal road and wind noise, comfort is the Touareg’s forte, but if you wish to venture beyond comfort, there are seven drive modes, including Sport and Off-Road modes.

Verdict

As highlighted at the start of this review, the Touareg shares numerous components with pricier models such as the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Porsche Cayenne. If you seek a German SUV that is well-built and feature-packed, the Touareg stands out as the most affordable option, with the full-option model priced at AED 242,445 excluding VAT.