REVIEW: Volkswagen Touareg R-Line is brilliant, but destined to struggle at the price point

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.

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.

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.

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