The Volkswagen Touareg has come a long way since the original in 2002. Now in its third generation, the 2023 facelift brings in sharper styling, advanced technology, and a more refined driving experience. It still shares its platform with the Porsche Cayenne (as well as the Audi Q7), so the driving experience is sharper than most large SUVs. It’s an appealing car, with solid engineering and a premium feel, driven by an image of understated luxury.
When buying a used Volkswagen Touareg, check the service history first. Most are automatic and many have 4MOTION all-wheel drive, so make sure gearbox and drivetrain servicing hasn’t been missed. Check the tyres, alloy wheels, underside, suspension and brakes, and listen for air suspension leaks if fitted. An online vehicle check, such as an AA Vehicle Check, can also help spot mileage issues, outstanding finance or insurance write-off history.
Jamie Webb is a Roadside Patrol at The AA, with hands-on experience developed through motorsport, roadside work and practical vehicle maintenance, along with a growing specialism in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Read bioThe Volkswagen Touareg is a strong premium SUV, but it can be expensive to repair as it gets older. Common issues include:
• Air suspension leaks, compressor faults or uneven ride height
• Panoramic sunroof leaks from blocked drains or worn seals
• DPF and EGR faults on diesel models; Oil or coolant leaks; Timing chain wear on some engines
• Automatic gearbox or drivetrain wear if servicing has been missed
• Infotainment glitches, parking sensor faults and reversing camera issues
Air suspension, drivetrain and timing chain repairs can be costly, so buyers should avoid neglected examples. Sunroof drain issues can be simple to fix if caught early, but water ingress can become expensive if left.
Touareg servicing depends on the engine, age and service schedule, so owners should follow the service book and vehicle display. In general, expect regular oil and inspection services, plus extra maintenance for the gearbox, 4MOTION system and diesel emissions parts where fitted.
Key maintenance to keep on top of includes:
• Oil and filter changes using oil that meets Volkswagen’s specification
• Brake fluid replacement at the correct interval
• Gearbox and drivetrain fluid servicing
• Sunroof drain checks if fitted; Suspension and tyre checks
• Early repair of oil or coolant leaks.
• Tyres, brakes, insurance, road tax and fuel can all cost more than buyers expect.
The Touareg is heavy, powerful and more premium than many Volkswagen models, so running costs are closer to a luxury SUV than a family crossover.
The Volkswagen Touareg is a comfortable, capable and well-built SUV that can cover high mileages when it’s maintained properly. After 5 to 7 years, neglected examples are more likely to need expensive work on suspension, drivetrain, diesel emissions systems or electronics. A well-serviced Touareg with clear history, smooth gearbox operation and no suspension faults can be a strong used buy.
Volkswagen’s flagship SUV holds a lot of appeal for those who want a premium, quality car without the need to be ostentatious. It flies under the radar, but if you seek one out you’ll find a brilliantly competent vehicle that’s among the most comfortable and relaxing in its class. It’s a superb all-rounder, but it comes at a price.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioThe new Volkswagen Touareg starts from £71,700 for the entry-level diesel 3.0 V6 TDI Elegance e-Hybrid, rising to £83,260 for the high-performance R model. If you’re considering a used 2024 Volkswagen Touareg, AA Cars currently lists several examples, with prices typically ranging between £55,000 and £68,000 depending on mileage, specification, and condition.
Most used models feature well-equipped trims such as R-Line and Elegance, and many are offered with the 3.0 V6 diesel engine.
The current UK engine line-up for the Volkswagen Touareg includes a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, which is the most commonly available option in both new and used models. In addition, there is a petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) V6 variant, known as the e-Hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with electric power for improved efficiency.
The high-performance R model features a more powerful version of the plug-in hybrid system. The turbodiesel comes in two power outputs – 228bhp and 282bhp – while the plug-in hybrids use a 3.0-litre petrol unit, offering 375bhp in the eHybrid and 456bhp in the R.
All models feature permanent four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The PHEV claims to offer up to 31 miles of electric-only driving (WLTP), though real-world range may be lower. Performance is strong across the range, with the R model sprinting from 0–62 mph in just 5.1 seconds and even the 3.0-litre diesel covering the benchmark sprint in 7.4 seconds.
All versions of the Touareg are comfortable and refined, even the sporty R, though the larger wheels and firmer transmission of the performance model do transmit more bumps into the cabin. It’s composed and quiet at speed, and despite its bulk, good visibility and light, precise steering make it easy to place on the road. It’s also superb for towing, with a top-of-the-class towing capacity of 3,500kg.
Ride comfort is excellent thanks to the Touareg’s adaptable air suspension, and it’s stable at speed, although the high driving position doesn’t lend itself well to spirited driving. Even so, it offers remarkable grip when pushed and although you can feel its weight moving around, it’s a predictable and rewarding car to drive, as well as a civilised cruiser.
The Touareg’s cabin is spacious and well-appointed, with high-quality materials and straightforward, easy-to-use tech. Five adults can travel in comfort, with ample headroom and legroom throughout, but there’s no seven-seat option despite the car’s immense size. The rear seats are fixed and don’t slide, but with lots of legroom and a huge boot to start with, they don’t really need to. It’s a very comfortable and well-appointed car.
Boot space in the Touareg is exceptional, offering a cavernous 810 litres with the seats up, and expanding significantly when the rear seats are folded flat, making it one of the largest in its class, with a generous 1,800 litres. The tailgate opens low to the bumper to aid loading, but the ride height means it’s not the easiest car to lift heavy loads into. It is, however, thoughtfully designed with a flat floor, which helps when sliding suitcases and bulky items into place.
The rear seats fold completely flat, too, giving van-like capacity if needed. Cabin storage is equally impressive, with generous provision throughout. Door bins are large enough for big bottles and snacks, while the centre console is configurable, allowing you to tailor it for storing valuables or everyday essentials. There are also useful cubbies and trays around the cabin, ensuring passengers have plenty of places to stow phones, keys, and other small items.
All models feature a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, native navigation, and voice control. Higher trims add heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and premium audio. Physical climate controls are retained for ease of use, unlike in some other Volkswagen models where you can only access them via the touchscreen – this is a major plus point, as are volume controls on the steering wheel.
The Touareg is available in three principal trim levels: Elegance, Black Edition, and R (PHEV). Elegance serves as the entry point to the line-up, yet it is impressively well-equipped, with leather upholstery, heated and powered front seats, a digital cockpit display, ambient interior lighting, a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, wireless smartphone integration and a powered tailgate.
The Black Edition builds upon the Elegance specification with gloss-black alloy wheels, blacked-out styling cues, rear privacy glass, ventilated front seats, an upgraded sound system, four-zone climate control and additional ambient lighting options.
The R trim is the performance flagship and is offered exclusively as a plug-in hybrid, adding sports suspension, exclusive 20-inch or 21-inch alloy wheels, R styling details, enhanced drive modes, matrix LED headlights and a head-up display.
Colour choices include metallic and premium finishes such as Deep Black Pearl, Oryx White, Silicon Grey, Malbec Red and Aquamarine Blue. Interior trims are all premium leather, in black, dark grey or tan.
The Touareg has achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, most recently assessed in 2023, with scores of 89% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 72% for vulnerable road user protection and 81% for safety assist systems.
Standard safety kit includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking. Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability is solid. For the UK market, the Touareg is covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard, with the option to extend this to four or five years, up to 100,000 miles, for an additional fee at the time of purchase.
Diesel models return 31-42 mpg (WLTP), while the PHEV claims up to 120 mpg, though this is only realistic if you use it for short journeys and can charge it up regularly. CO2 emissions for diesel models typically range between 177 and 220 g/km, depending on engine and trim.
The plug-in hybrid variant emits as little as 44 g/km of CO2 on the WLTP cycle, though this assumes regular charging and predominantly electric driving for short trips.
All Touaregs attract the standard £195 annual road tax, but cars over £40,000 pay an additional £425 per year for the first five years, making the total tax £620 annually until the car is over six years old, after which it reverts to £195 per year. No Touaregs were below this price, so all are liable for the additional tax charge.
Insurance groups range from 41 to 50 depending on trim and engine, so are slightly lower than the Audi and Porsche sister models.
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