2019 Volkswagen Touareg SEL Review
I took the 2019 Volkswagen Touareg luxury SUV on a test drive over six days. It was a 500-mile road trip to Scotlandâs North Coast, making a total distance of 1,700 miles. Here are my thoughts on the latest interpretation of the Volkswagen Touareg.
What is the 2019 Volkswagen Touareg SEL about?
It wasnât particularly long ago that for any of your luxury SUV needs, youâd opt for a Range Rover. However, now the market has broadened to include an eclectic range of selections from various marques.
One notable example being the Volkswagen Touareg. Back when it first launched, it was considered to be a rich personâs car, much like the Phaeton. But its Volkswagen badge and unassuming look meant that the Touareg carved its niche in the SUV market by being the subtle luxury of choice.
Now we have the latest Touareg that is serving as Volkswagenâs flagship model in the SUV market. Intriguingly, itâs sharing its platform with some much pricier contemporaries.
Volkswagenâs switch to the latest styling language is both modern and slick, and it shows in the Touareg. With its sharp and well-defined lines, it culminates in minimalistic styling thatâs somewhat rakish. It definitely fits in well while it rolls through any landscape.
From some angles, I can see a resemblance to other VAG products, such as the Q7 in the Touareg. It fits in with Volkswagenâs global styling, and looks good.
From a distance away, our Volkswagen Touareg might seem brown, but get closer and an additional depth to the paint is revealed â a burgundy red hue. Dubbed âMalbec Red Ultra Metallicâ, it is a wine-inspired shade of deep, violet-red available as an option on the SEL for ÂŁ850.
The vehicle sits on large 19âł âOrsornoâ 7-twin spoke alloy wheels, which add a bit of flair to the otherwise understated aesthetics of the Touareg. They also come as standard on the base SEL trim.
If you want some massive wheels, there is a 21âł option available for £1,850, but you have to opt for the air suspension as well, which comes in at another £2,370. But that might be a good idea anyway since youâd need air suspension to properly tame those larger alloys.
How does it drive?
There are a few engines available, namely a petrol 3.0-litre TFSI turbo-charged V6 and a diesel 3.0-litre TDI turbo-charged V6, which powers our particular Touareg. It comes in two configurations, one with 230 horsepower and the other being 280 horsepower. Ours being the former, and the former set-up emits 500 Nm of torque, while the latter produces 600 Nm of torque.
Regardless of your engine option, youâll get an 8-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission that delivers power to all four wheels. With this combination, this Touareg will sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds, onto a top speed of 135 mph.
Both diesel configurations will manage to muster 34.9 mpg combined, while emitting 173 g/km of CO2. The petrol engine will, of course, fare worse in terms of efficiency figures.
Just driving around in the Volkswagen Touareg, this drivetrain combination feels like the most pragmatic of them all. Never does it feel reluctant or sluggish, as it provides ample torque to propel this large SUV along at a fair pace.
It is responsive as well, available as soon as you pull the throttle. There is plenty of power available at the midrange so you can surge past other drivers when overtaking.
The 8-speed Tiptronic manages the engine well. It shifts smoothly and promptly and keeps the car in the right gear. However, you might want to stay out of Sport mode if you donât want to be on constant alert, as it keeps dropping the gear down, which makes the engine quite uncouth.
Intriguingly, the platform it resides on is the new VAG modular longitudinal matrix, MLBevo, which is also shared across multiple Audi models, the Lamborghini Urus, the Bentley Bentayga and the Porsche Cayenne. This must translate to quite a capable SUV around the bends, and it shows.
With smooth, light and predictable brakes, you can be confident with your cornering approach. The Volkswagen Touareg grips the bends assertively, even though it exhibits moderate body roll, it is quite invigorating.
While itâs not exactly jaunty along the B-roads, you can coax it around sweeping bends without an issue. It maintains tenacious traction due to its permanent 4MOTION 4-wheel drive system, so itâs never starved of grip.
Although the 2019 Volkswagen Touareg has a rather low seating position and manages corners well, itâs not exactly a sporty car. It maneuvers well around bends but it is reluctant when it comes to cornering in quick succession.
This model is also comfortable with outstanding noise, vibration and harshness. I never felt tired over the lengthy journey, thanks to the Touaregâs ability to iron out most bumps, handle undulations and drown out road noise. Although the side mirrors emanate audible wind noise at speed, it is a minor issue.
From what Iâve experienced on other tests, the air suspension helps the Volkswagen Touareg absorb bumps even more. Other features include the active roll bars that limit body roll and the Trailer Assist package will appeal to caravanners.
What is it like inside?
Step inside the new Touareg, and you will find an impressive cabin that might just compare to its luxury rivals.
Overall, itâs a good looking interior. This particular Touareg includes standard âVienna Blackâ leather upholstery, paired with optional £1,160 ergoComfort leather seats that are optimised for long distance comfort. Itâs heated, and allows 14-way electric adjustment with safety head restraints.
Of course, itâs not all plain black. Volkswagen has adorned the dashboard with some tasteful brushed aluminium effect inlays with a matt black centre console. Itâs quite inoffensive, and there is some pleasing attention to detail, Â such as the faux leather stitching on the dashboard.
What will attract the most attention in the Touaregâs cabin is its massive infotainment touchscreen, at least if you opt for the Tech trim with its gigantic 15âł display. However, we have to make do with a 9âł screen instead, but it is quite an intuitive and neat system. Below that youâll find physical climate control controls, which the Tech trim forsake.
Without the Tech trim, youâll also have to make do with physical dials and meters in the instrument panel. There is a driver information screen in the middle, though.
There are also some rather cool novelties on board, such as a frameless rearview mirror, the two-way sun visors, touch-sensitive reading lights, 12V and a USB port. The centre cubby hole is small, but has another USB port, and the cupholders are quite generous.
Seating room is plentiful at the front, with good leg and headroom. The same can be said about the rear, bar the centre seat which has a raised hump. The rear door bins are large, and there are B-pillar ventilations. The rear seats fold 40/20/40, where the centre armrest folds down to reveal cupholders.
Open up the boot and youâll reveal 810-litres of storage space with the seats up, folding the rearmost bench down will increase it to 1,800-litres. The load lip is minimal.
The experience
If the new Touareg is a window into the Volkswagen of the future, then the brand might just be on the right track. While it might not have the upper hand against any of its rivals right now, there is lots of tech packed within this model once you increase the specification and even as standard it comes with an impressive kit.
The Driver Assistance Pack Plus for £990, in particular, provides the car with some of the latest active and passive safety features. Oddly though, a rearview camera isnât standard, and so is keyless entry and start. Also, there are no options for a 7-seater configuration. You would need to look at the Tiguan Allspace for that.
It just drives very well, and itâs perfect for long distance cruising. It will travel mile upon mile just fine, and overall it is a well-built car. Bar some applications of scratchy plastics here and there, of course.
2019 Volkswagen Touareg SEL Cost
Being a car that is made to rival the likes of the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, it is also priced appropriately. A base model SEL will come in at £49,095, and while that does get you a very nice SUV, once you modify it like ours, itâll come to £53,825.
And that is really choosing the options that are most sensible, such as the seats, keyless entry, Driverâs Assistance Plus, etc. Although if you want the full experience, perhaps the £2,410 Innovision Cockpit will be worth it, as it comes with a 12.3âł digital display instrument cluster and the 15âł infotainment touchscreen.
Verdict
Over the years, the Volkswagen Touareg has really evolved. While it used to be on the sidelines when compared to its fully-fledged premium rivals, it has now been developed into a premium SUV thatâs worth serious thought.
Itâs quick, comfortable, capable and clever â all critical qualities when it comes to a contemporary premium vehicle. If youâre in the market for a quality SUV, then you might want to stop by a Volkswagen dealer next time around.
Specification
2019 Volkswagen Touareg SEL Specs
- Price: ÂŁ53,825
- Engine: 3.0-litre TDI V6 turbodiesel
- Power: 228 bhp
- Torque: 500 Nm
- Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission
- 0-62mph: 7.5 seconds
- Top speed: 135 mph
- Weight: 2,070 kg
- Economy combined: 34.9 mpg (combined)
- CO2: 173 g/km
