Model review
The Volkswagen Touran is an MPV which was first launched in 2000. Within VW’s line-up, the Touran sits below the larger Sharan in the same MPV segment.
Throughout its lifecycle, the original Touran received some updates. In fact, for the 2007 model year, the car became the first Volkswagen Group product to be released with new Park Asist technology, helping drivers to parallel park their vehicle. It can even identify suitable parking spots – pretty impressive for 2007.
In 2010, the car was given a new iteration. It was given a newer platform – shared with the latest Golf (Mk6) of the time – as well as new, smaller engine options.
Introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the current generation Touran replaced the previous model.
Current model
As mentioned previously, the current Touran was first shown off at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. It uses the Volkswagen Group MQB platform and modernises, as well as builds upon, what the model’s predecessors established.
Out on the road, the Touran proves a smooth and easy car to drive. Sure, it’s no sports car and it’s not particularly entertaining, but no one really buys an MPV for that purpose. The ride is comfortable, and the car is quiet even at motorway speeds, making it a relaxed cruiser.
Plus, a drop in weight compared to the previous generation means this new one is a bit lighter on its feet and feels more eager to get up and go.
Value for money
New Touran models start at £28,230, which is about on par with the average for the class. For example, the Citroen Grand C4 Spactourer is priced at £26,335 and the Ford S-Max is available from £30,490.
Used examples can be had for quite the bargain too. Cheapest examples go for as little as £900 – Tourans in good condition tend to go for circa £2,000, which is still good value for money. For current generation cars, expect to pay upwards of around £7,800 – pretty decent for a practical MPV that’s only about five years old.
Looks and image
While style and looks aren’t the main focus of an MPV, we still believe they should be somewhat attractive in order to be desirable. Fortunately, the Touran manages to look sharp and sophisticated despite its rather boxy, van-like shape, making it a good-looking car within its segment.
Sure, the Touran is nothing special or revolutionary in the looks department, but we think most buyers will be happy with its appearance.
Space and practicality
Interior space, for the most part, is generous, with lots of headroom and legroom on offer. The third row of seats, however, are a little cramped and are best suited for children – that being said, they are usable in a pinch.
Boot space is very impressive and should be more than enough for most people. Yes, with the third row in place it only amounts to a mere 137 litres, but with the third row folded flat, the boot opens up to reveal a massive 917 litres. Go one step further and fold the middle row flat, however, and then a total of 1,857 litres of room becomes available.
Engines
The Touran can be had with a range of one petrol and two diesel engine options. Starting with the former, it’s a 1.5-litre motor producing 148bhp. It can be had with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox.
On the diesel front, buyers can choose from a 2.0-litre powerplant producing 113bhp or 148bhp depending on which you opt for. All engines feel relatively punchy, especially the 1.5-litre petrol, but it’s the diesels which will be the cheapest to run.
Running costs
As mentioned before, it’s the two diesel options that will prove the cheapest to run. However, it’s the lower powered version which will be the most economical and therefore, the most affordable when it comes to running costs.
Although, that being said, the 148bhp one is still pretty good one fuel. It’s said to return around 52.3mpg (when paired with the manual gearbox) and emit just 112g/km of CO2, making it a viable choice for buyers wanting a fantastic blend of performance and economy.
Things to look out for
With a lot of the Touran’s parts shared with the Volkswagen Golf – a relatively reliable car – buyers needn’t worry too much about things going wrong. Furthermore, VW as a brand usually ranks rather highly in driver satisfaction surveys.
With this in mind, it’s worth just looking out for any potential issues as you should with any car, but there’s nothing major to report in this area.
Rivals
Although the MPV segment isn’t as booming or popular as it once was, there’s still other cars within the class that the Touran has to contend with, such as the Ford S-Max, Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and Renault Grand Scenic. Despite this, the VW does make a good case for itself, as it’s very practical, good looking and, overall, a pretty great all-round package. It’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking within the MPV class.
Depreciation
The Touran does have plenty of good points helping it to hold its value well, such as its van-like practicality, good range of engines and VW badge. On the other hand though, its desirability doesn’t match that of an SUV or crossover, so it probably won’t have a resale value equivalent to models from those segments. That being said, the Touran is still a good buy and shouldn’t completely put buyers out of pocket when it comes to selling it on.
