REVIEW: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line is brilliant, but destined to struggle at the price point
Image: Jason Woosey
A genuine contender in the luxury SUV space, the Volkswagen Touareg has been around for 23 years, and is now in its third generation.
In the latter half of 2024, Volkswagen SA introduced the facelifted version of this third-gen model, first released internationally in 2018, and it brings a more luxurious and tech-savvy cabin.
But with pricing pegged at R1,491,300 for the Elegance variant and R1,799,200 for the flagship R-Line that we recently had on test, it is somewhat expensive, going toe-to-toe with a glut of premium-brand SUVs.
For what it's worth, you can pick up a new BMW X5 3.0D M-Sport for R1,828,000 or a Mercedes GLE 300d AMG Line for R1,931,800, while the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne models, which the VW shares its platform with, start at R1,958,000 and R2,049,000 respectively.
Granted, the VeeDub undercuts its main rivals then, but not by a huge margin.
The facelifted model doesn't look too different from its predecessor at first glance, but it has gained a number of model-specific design changes at the front end, highlighted by snazzy new high-definition Matrix LED headlights, featuring interactive LEDs that can mask the area facing oncoming traffic. Round back it gains new LED taillight clusters with dynamic turn signals, and the lights are now connected by a horizontal strip.
Interior and functionality
Inside there's a new dual-screen cockpit as well as improved materials and a 30-colour ambient lighting system with adjustable colour settings across three zones.
The new trims and materials complement an already classy interior that can hold its own among most of its luxurious rivals, while the high-definition screens, featuring modern and crisp graphics, lend a more modern and high-tech feel.
The redesigned cockpit boasts large dual screens.
Image: Supplied
On the downside, this 'clean' new design has eliminated most of the physical controls on the dashboard and functions like the climate control must now be operated via the screen.
That being said, there are permanent shortcuts to the climate functions and overall the central screen is fairly user-friendly. The haptic touch-slider controls on the steering wheel do feel a tad finicky, though.
Volkswagen has also improved the voice control system and the USB-C ports now have a charging capacity of 45 watts.
Standard equipment includes electrically adjustable leather seats, but you will have to pay extra for niceties like the Travel Assist Package, which adds semi-automated driving capability, as well as the Area View Camera and Night Vision system.
The Touareg is a large vehicle, with an overall length of 4,878mm and a 2,904mm wheelbase. This is enough to ensure spacious seating for five occupants as well as a huge boot, which boasts a capacity of 810 litres.
What's it like to drive the new Touareg?
As before, power comes from the Volkswagen Group's silky-smooth 3.0-litre TDI turbodiesel motor, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
With 190kW and 600Nm on command, it provides punchy, effortless performance that's unlikely to leave many owners wanting more. But most impressive is the fuel economy.
Volkswagen claims a combined average of 7.8 litres per 100km but our car's long-term trip computer showed an average of 7.5 l/100km over 2,000km. However, my week-long test drive saw a figure of 9.9 l/100km as much of the driving was on urban routes, but that is still commendable under the circumstances.
The Touareg boasts a clean design, but fails to stand out in the segment.
Image: Jason Woosey
With a 90 litre fuel tank, including reserve, the Touareg boasts a theoretical range of over 1,100km between refuels.
Out on the road, the well-insulated Touareg is really quiet, and the air suspension system, which is standard on the R-Line, dishes up a cushy ride quality despite the fitment of 21-inch alloy wheels. The latter are an option, with 20' rims featuring as standard.
The Touareg R-Line also comes with rear-wheel steering, which assists with low-speed manoeuvring as well as high-speed handling, but all round it's more of a comfortable than sporty drive.
Like its BMW X5 rival, there is no low-range gearing for off-road excursions, but with 4Motion all-wheel drive and a ground clearance of 215mm, the Touareg is perfectly fine for milder off-road excursions.
VERDICT
The Volkswagen Touareg is brilliant in almost every respect, from its luxurious interior to its refined road manners and gutsy but economical diesel engine.
But with a mainstream badge on its bonnet and a price that pitches it close to a glut of premium SUV products, the underrated Touareg is likely to remain a relatively rare sight on our roads. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
IOL
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


eNCA
16 hours ago
- eNCA
Prudence Moilwa weighs in on safety-related recalls of thousands of vehicles
JOHANNESBURG - The Ford Motor Company's latest vehicle recall is adding to growing concern in the auto industry. The recall affects its Ranger and Everest models, following earlier recalls of the EcoSport and Puma bringing the total to over 5,000 vehicles. Ford is not alone. Volkswagen, Volvo, and Toyota have also issued recalls this year, raising the question: Is the industry facing a broader safety crisis?


The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
PODCAST: 222kW Amarok interesting addition to bakkie game
A whole host of more powerful double cabs has turned the local bakkie scene upside down. It has been reported that the petrol powered 222kW Volkswagen Amarok will finally be offered in South Africa before year-end. Powered by a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine, the double cab derivative will be the most powerful bakkie in the Amarok stable. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel mill, that is offered in three models and produces 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, currently holds that distinction. Local petrol bakkies are few and far between, with the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo Ford Ranger Raptor and naturally aspirated 2.7-litre Toyota Hilux the most popular. 222kW Amarok makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring Pitstop podcast, we discuss what the 222kW will bring to the table. And where it will fit into the overall local bakkie picture. The timing of the 222kW/452Nm Amarok's introduction could have been a lot better. It would have made more sense to introduce the model when Volkswagen got into bed with Ford as production partner. The previous generation's 190kW 3.0-litre turbodiesel model was most powerful bakkie in South Africa. A 222kW model at the time of launch in 2023 would have been an enticing successor. But the bakkie power game has changed dramatically since then. The 292kW Raptor raised the stakes, between a raft of new energy Chinese bakkies blew it out of the water. Like the 320kW BYD Shark plug-in hybrid that has dethroned the Ford Ranger Raptor as the fastest local bakkie. ALSO READ: Report: Petrol engine Volkswagen Amarok here before year-end Petrol engine imported Unlike the Struandale-made 2.0-litre single and bi-turbo and 3.0-litre turbodiesel engines Ford fits to the Ranger and Amarok in Silverton, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is imported. Ford combines this mill with an electric motor and battery in the plug-in Ranger, which is only for export markets. The 222kW Amarok, which is offered only in Aventura guise in Australia, has a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
VW lowers earnings forecast as US vehicle tariffs hit Q2 margins
Volkswagen on Friday gave its first assessment of how US President Donald Trump's trade war with Europe is expected to impact its 2025 earnings after tariffs dealt a blow to the German auto giant's operating profit in the second quarter. Europe's biggest carmaker expects an operating return on sales in the range of 4% to 5%, compared with a previously forecast 5.5-6.5% range, the company said, giving its long awaited assessment of the impact of tariffs on its business. Full-year sales are expected to be level with the year before, versus a previously forecast rise of up to 5%. Volkswagen and its peers are pressing European trade negotiators to strike a deal to replace a 25% tariff on their cars in place since April. Volkswagen reported an operating profit of €3.8bn (R78,677,067,972) in the quarter ended June 30, down 29% on the year before, citing tariffs, restructuring costs and higher sales of lower margin all-electric models. Car sales data for June underpinned a broader slowdown in Europe's struggling auto sector, and showed Volkswagen among the laggards as the company undergoes a major overhaul to cut more than 35,000 jobs by the end of the decade.