By Sala Masindane

The Volkswagen Touareg has been around for 20 years and has successfully carried the brand’s flagship status. Truth be told, it has slipped down the pecking order compared to rivals like Porsche Cayenne, the BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. This could be due to various factors, but thankfully, the Touareg has soldiered on and remains a viable option for some South African buyers. To keep it relevant, Volkswagen has introduced a series of updates to the SUV. We must also admit—it’s one of our favourites, and we couldn’t pass up the chance to spend time with this legend.

First impressions and exterior design

Up front, the Touareg gets a refreshed grille, redesigned headlights, and a new bumper. At the rear, the styling has been sharpened with a continuous LED strip across the taillight clusters, incorporating an illuminated red Volkswagen logo. The exterior changes may be subtle, but the flagship SUV still turns heads with its presence and poise.

Interior and features

Inside, the updated Touareg comes standard with the Innovision Cockpit, an intuitive combination of digital instrumentation and the Discover Pro Max infotainment system with a large central touchscreen. Voice control has also been improved, and the USB-C ports now offer 45-watt charging—up from the previous 15 watts.

The cabin is a genuinely pleasant place to be, with quality materials and solid build. The infotainment system is generally easy to use, though accessing the climate control menu is a bit finicky—it’s time we brought back physical buttons. Rear legroom and headroom are generous for adult passengers, and the boot offers a massive 810 litres of space—so no one or nothing gets left behind.

Drive and performance

Powering the Touareg is a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine producing 190 kW and 600 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and VW’s 4Motion permanent all-wheel drive system.

The engine delivers smooth acceleration with a satisfying growl. Ride quality is impressive, even over the rougher terrain we tackled in the Midlands region. We also tested its towing capabilities, pulling a trailer with a ton-plus animal onboard—and the Touareg handled it with ease. Despite the extra load, fuel consumption remained respectable at 7.2 L/100 km over a 2,500 km journey, bettering the claimed 7.8 L/100 km. Overall, the Touareg strikes an excellent balance between comfort, performance, and practicality.

Final Word

Look, the Touareg is far from perfect—but then again, no car is. What it does offer is a solid, well-rounded package that balances comfort and performance. Is it better than the competition? It certainly has the charm and presence, but rivals have surged ahead in some areas. Still, it remains a compelling offering that looks and feels every bit the premium SUV it’s meant to be. Pricing for the Volkswagen Touareg range starts at R1,457,900.