2020 Volkswagen Touareg detailed review: It's a luxury SUV on a budget, but is it any good?

Did you know, the Volkswagen Touareg shares a platform with the Audi Q7, the Bentley Bentayga, the Porsche Cayenne and the Lamborghini Urus?! That means you're getting a cut-price Bentley that wears a Volkswagen badge. Not bad, right? We also review Volkswagen Discover Premium, which is a huge 15" infotainment screen. But, does the Touareg feel like a quality proposition? Watch and find out!
Read the full review: www.carexpert.com.au/car-revi...
Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior: 00:56
Interior: 03:02
Infotainment: 04:39
Features: 12:11
Practicality: 13:50
On the Road: 18:23
Verdict: 23:45
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‪@volkswagen‬ ‪@volkswagenaustralia‬

[@CarExpertAus]

Skip Ahead: Intro: 00:00 Exterior: 00:56 Interior: 03:02 Infotainment: 04:39 Features: 12:11 Practicality: 13:50 On the Road: 18:23 Verdict: 23:45

[@adityaritti5410]

I wonder when this car will come to India...

[@ianr5322]

@@adityaritti5410 Never

[@wernerbloemwagen6878]

No worries mate : in South Africa also called the : Tooooa-Reck 😂

[@Malc664]

Ha 🤣

[@Hill-Climb-Racing572]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 A lot

[@raihan8020]

Such a professional car review. You deserve more subscriber count

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks mate!

[@_CasualJan]

Another good review @CarExpert Paul. Surprising to see the quality issues with the dash, especially given how much VW are asking for this car. Especially that fit and finish with the two screens. I love the carpeted door bins in our VWs. I hate rattles, so having the bins lined with carpet means things stay quiet in there. I understand if you guys want to keep the review videos below a certain length, but I think with people watching your reviews while cross-shopping, maybe worth a few mins talking about some segment competitors? Anyway, keep up the good work (and videos!)

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks, @Kevin! Yes very frustrating with the creaks and rattles. Especially when you can hear the material flexing while the car sits in the sun.

[@VLX1589]

BEST REVIEW to date on the TOUAREG on KZbin! 😎 Brilliant job! 👍😀 I subscribed!

[@178rajbir]

Love your content esp all the vids about Land Cruisers. Its so amazing to see that Australia gets much cooler Toyota stuff as compared to North America! Cheers!

[@sergecolicchia7157]

Another enjoyable viewing experience...well reviewed!

[@strawboi]

Very well- presented review again! Love it

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks @Rong!

[@I_am_Monty]

Perfect! I didn't know about the matrix style led lights! thanks for the info..

[@NZsarge1]

The air suspension in the Touareg is a 2 chamber set up where the Q7 gets a quite a bit better 3 chamber system which explains the differences in ride/handling

[@sandeeprai493]

What precision in review, makes a toureg look cheesier than a tmux , love it

[@CarMojo]

hey mate, thanks again for spoiling my night ( = going to bed without watching the video first). it's 3am here 🙂😉

[@CarExpertAus]

Ha ha, sorry to keep you up! We will have to publish these at more civilised hours :-D

[@davidpegg4516]

Hello from the UK. Nice review, never seen anyone use a hardness meter before. That was interesting. 👍

[@mysnapshotdiary]

Awesome review! Would be even better if you can demonstrate some safety features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist and also talk detailed about service and warranty.

[@CarExpertAus]

Hey Hari, We generally try and stay away from servicing and warranty simply because it will vary for each country. This review will be published on our website this week and that will have more details on local warranty and servicing requirements as part of it, so hopefully that will help. We also avoid demonstrating the driving assist functions due to the inability to show them on video at the location where we film.

[@DMcOz_Down_Under]

Great work, Paul, many thanks for your very informative review. Always impressive how detailed you make your explanations of the infotainment features, all apparently without stopping to constantly review notes! Whilst a very impressive vehicle, it borders on gob-smacking to me that a vehicle of this price has such poor quality interior fit/finish. Makes me wonder what other areas are "missed" on the quality front. Such issues are probably only going to deteriorate with age & wear, too.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for the feedback, Damon! Yep I agree the quality stuff isn’t great. As an owner I’d expect much better.

[@OldManMick]

Great review Paul! Seems to continue the theme of being a decent bit of kit, albeit not perfect as you say. I couldn't stop looking at those misaligned screens in the dash, it was really prominent from the angle of the camera throughout that entire section of the review! Ouch! Also curious on those blanked buttons in the boot (next to the "get lowwwww / gitup" buttons) Will be interesting to see how the V8 will be priced (not to mention, options on top!) Finally - just beware the Slender Man lurking outside at 10:00 mark!

[@CarExpertAus]

😅😅😅 love the Slender Man spotting! We think the V8 will be around $130k plus on-road costs. More here: www.carexpert.com.au/news/volkswagen-touareg-v8-tdi-r-line-locked-in-for-australia/

[@davwatto77]

23:20 - Would be interesting to include a db meter reading on coarse chip roads, to supplement the interior soft touch test :) I do recognize that a number of factors will have an effect on the reading but still believe a reading on the same stretch of road has some merit.

[@CarExpertAus]

Great idea, David! Will look into it 😁

[@jaketuchel3543]

Agreed on the creaking. We had it in the last gen around the speedo. And the two screens need to be layered or one piece as the gap is so noticeable.

[@stephengriffin4990]

Hey Paul being a VW fanatic here loved this review yes some flaws in quality and missing some gear,but if I win Lotto tonight this Touareg will be my drive in pure white.

[@CarExpertAus]

Just wait until the V8 lobs. That thing will be a rocket ship 😁

[@stephengriffin4990]

@@CarExpertAus Absolutely the the V8 would be mind blowing.

[@honzanemec1547]

VW at $120k is a rip off. That's Electric car and electric performance money. If you like driving a dinosaur burner with turbo lag compared to literally instant response of electric then I'd be questioning your sanity.

[@andrewd7586]

Honza Nemec I see your point re electric cars, but what is the towing capacity of the equivalent, if they can tow something “normal” or at all?...

[@1250GSX]

@@honzanemec1547 I'm questioning your intellegence if you can't get the fact that EVs are useles for touring Australia through your thick head.

[@xenonozhid3383]

Great detail pickups - well done. I thought I was the only one with OCD!

[@CarExpertAus]

😅 glad you liked them!

[@stevep6538]

Great review Paul. I considered buying one of these a year ago and specs and particularly the interior is undoubtedly better than the Japanese rivals. I needed a large 4WD SUV to tour Australia, but one thing that put me off was the space saver tyre. We had a flat on my previous car - an Audi SQ5 TDI - near Mildura ( we live in Melbourne ) and, as the chances of getting a low profile tyre to fit the 21inch rims in Mildura were non existent , thought the space saver would get us back home ( albeit at a max speed of 80kmh ). But no, we were told the space saver would not make the 475 kms home so we had to wait 2 days for a tyre from Melbourne. So, despite the reviews extolling the on and off road virtues of the car for touring this wide brown land the space saver is a major issue.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for that feedback - it’s always good to hear from people looking to buy these!

[@ianandrew1496]

I have pretty much the same car in its last iteration. A phenominal tow vehicle. I think you really didn’t give it enough credit. Due to the vw’s short overhang at the back it is one of the best tow vehicles out there. Don’t even notice my 2.8t caravan on the back.

[@mymate_javed]

G'day Paul, you have presented very beautifully and in-depth details. Though Touareg is ragged-looking large SUV. However, cant feel Touareg fall into the luxurious SUV segment.

[@smule27]

Great review Paul, very detail and I love it. What’s wrong with VW, the digital display is the highlight of the car but they blew it, and R line package should become standard, all the promotion they do is R line to(fool) the customer , and mostly R line just the cosmetic and don’t cost them much, do more to the customer VW.

[@hugohugo2832]

Advice please!!! 2017 Full power model with all extras or 2018 Low power but new shape Touaregs? Which is better. 260bhp vs 220bhp. Both pretty much same price - small saving on older car. Very grateful

[@simranbanga5467]

Hey Paul, can you please do the review on LDV T60 series 2

[@CarExpertAus]

We will try and get our hands on one!

[@langstonreese7077]

The Touareg has a similar grill as the arteon! The Hyundai Kona shares a similar grill like the Elantra

[@1250GSX]

Nice review. Will skip the big screen and get some proper AC buttons and less creaks..

[@jdmmeister29]

My 25k Mazda 3 has DAB...anyway, another great review!

[@CarExpertAus]

Yep - it’s a crazy omission!

[@SamGiles]

No doubt, I'm a huge fan of the Touareg. Looks bold and offers fantastic value for money. Haha but seriously - rocket mode? Also, I wish it came with more engine options (heck, at least one petrol engine would be a start!) Great review, Paul!

[@CarExpertAus]

Ha ha. Thankfully a big V8 is coming in Q4 this year :-D www.carexpert.com.au/news/volkswagen-touareg-v8-tdi-r-line-locked-in-for-australia/

[@SamGiles]

@@CarExpertAus Ah yes, I did see that - it'll be a beast! Although, I wonder if they'll release a petrol engine in the future? Haha we all know they have plenty of options under the Volkswagen parent company!

[@gabyshor]

@@SamGiles i Europe we have the v6 3l tdi with 286 Hp and v6 3l tfsi with 340 hp.

[@markfm5]

Will you please do a detailed review of the Amarok V6 manual?

[@CarExpertAus]

We will hopefully have one through the garage soon!

[@akila2390]

Hi Paul Can you please do review on Nissan Pathfinder 2022

[@langstonreese7077]

These are all cars I explained that have the same or a similar grill!

[@deganellis]

Another great review, Paul. Disappointing build quality is...well...disappointing given the price.

[@adamgill7671]

Good review mate 👍 Are the massage seats as rubbish as they are in the Passat? Volvo ones are lush!!! Problem with this car is by the time you option it up your at new q7 money and that car feels levels above.

[@CarExpertAus]

Hey Adam. You’re right, it’s in expensive car territory when all the option boxes are ticked! Yeah the massage seats are okay but not amazing. Best ones I’ve tried have been in the S-Class - they’re like knives being shoved into your back! 😅

[@KP_Oz]

Mate, just compared Q7 to this, and couldn't get 210k 600Nm, adaptive suspension, four wheel steering, electronic roll stabilisation, spare wheel, plush interiors 15"+13" screens and Touareg smooth ride quality until I got to an Sq7 or S8. Even with lesser options, at top spec $138k, it is at least $10k-$20k more cost effective than anything else on the market. And when you drive it, nothing compares. Tried it yet?

[@kensouza9239]

Really nice review mate loved it. Also noticed that the battery in the boot actually has Audi logo on it 17:31 :P

[@CarExpertAus]

Thank you! And great spotting 😅

[@chillout4273]

Great presentation again. Did I hear you say well over 1000 litres per tank of fuel instead of klms 🤓

[@MarcraM82]

Great work Paul! are you doing your own thing these days?

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks, @MarcaM82! Not on my own :-D a bunch of us left CarAdvice and started a new site, it's called CarExpert. You can check it out at www.carexpert.com.au

[@MarcraM82]

@@CarExpertAus awesome mate all the best with it hope it goes well. I've subscribed :) Please try and review an Audi RS3 oneday!!!

[@campbellreither550]

Thanks for branching out. Your content is SO much better and I like your honesty. Keep it up!

[@hugohugo2832]

Excellent review. Better than UK ones

[@KhmerPowerTools]

Dear channel car expert I want you to review Rang Rover discovery with testing drive

[@0bts0]

Haha nice jumper!

[@CarExpertAus]

😁

[@wasdwasdwwasd]

I'd just look for an ex demo X5 instead. Also, any word on when the more powerful V6 variants are coming?

[@CarExpertAus]

The V8 Touareg will lob locally in Q4 of this year :-D more here: www.carexpert.com.au/news/volkswagen-touareg-v8-tdi-r-line-locked-in-for-australia/

[@kensouza9239]

When the new Touareg was launched for Au, VW had said they will be bringing in the 210kW in November 2019. I guess it's no longer coming now.

[@honzanemec1547]

You'd have to be a complete mug to buy a petrol car for electric car money. Do yourself a favour and take a Jag IPACE or a Tesla for a test drive. Even the sportiest petrol car will feel like a slug afterwards.

[@quadcoreQ]

I wish those large dual screens were standard! Optioning them cost so much

[@finleymatthews3893]

They are like 2 and a half grand in Ik, it’s not much when your spending loads on a luxury car

[@nelsonmcnamara]

wanted this, was going to decide this week. But looking at the complicated space saver spare, wont consider this at all.

[@malikabey]

You forgot to shake the centre console lid!

[@cameron4907]

I'm not a huge fan of it for a few reasons (just my opinion): 1. The price, in my country (South Africa) it's not cheaper than the Audi Q7 which is a even more refined product 2. It lacks identity, which I guess is the whole purpose of it but I miss the rugged looks of the first gen. The VW group doesn't really have an off-road focused SUV so I think it would have been cool if they adapted this to fit that mold.

[@ezekielwebb9335]

Hey Paul I know why some parts are so cheap cause ever since Volkswagen had to pay millions of dollars in fines for the diesel scandal they had to use cheaper parts in their cars

[@nhaiminh]

Great review. But this car in your review should be around $120k?

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks! It starts at just under $90k, which is the price we quote, but it had around $28k of options on it.

[@KP_Oz]

You'll be lucky to find a brand new fully loaded one in colour, for less than $130k

[@No0ne31]

Nice review! ... what’s with the digital radio? Strange. It may be cheaper than the Audi but still a lot of $$ for the ‘car for the people’

[@MrSteveMather]

in know its petty but i always use digital radio so i wouldnt buy this

[@heindaddel2531]

Interesting, in Europe DAB+ is always available in every new car.

[@alecsc]

in terms of design, i much prefer this to the q7

[@kmuinde]

I think I love the previous model more

[@bigchief2331]

Too pricey for me, quite like the interior though. I hope Peugeot bring out a 4x4 5008.

[@CarExpertAus]

It's definitely a nice looking interior!

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

Yes that would be good. FWD only is a strange proposition!

[@dragospahontu]

Bruhh, the Touareg has double wish bone front suspension, a V6 and air suspension. I think it's a bargain

[@vsboy2577]

At night these look so menacing.

[@e23colon5]

Is this ever coming back to the US?

[@CarExpertAus]

I hope so! 😭

[@dragospahontu]

Atlas for you

[@ryanlieberman9255]

No idea why VW continues to try and charge premium prices for their flagship vehicles. Like the Passat W12 and the Phaeton, people aren’t going to pay this much for VW when you can get a true luxury car in the same price range by buying a year old car or getting a slightly smaller vehicle (like an Audi SQ5 or loaded Q5) This car makes sense at $45k US, not starting at $60k. Like all the prior Tuaregs in America it won’t sell.

[@Hope2421]

I’ve just bought a SsangYong Rexton Ultimate and have about 90% of the toys and capabilities you mention for half the price, I wish people would just stop being a badge snob and open their eyes to what’s out there, maybe you should review one ? I would be interested in your view 👍

[@waggyboy1]

But if you want V6 torque and air suspension starts at Jeep then VW price wise and upwards to premium brands. These items make a huge difference and are worth paying extra over a car without.

[@endzmeetmusic9053]

I can imagine your nice refined powerful drive in the Rexton. It's the drive performance that VW is superior at.

[@heindaddel2531]

SsangYong is not famous to build beautiful cars to say the least

[@johndoe-wh6td]

I doubt people will ever use the full potential of the infotainment system. Its too complicated. It feels like your ready to take off to mars. Also a seven seater would be nice spare incase somebody wants to hitch a ride.

[@gourmetbanana]

19:47 wow, 1000 litres per tank. Thats a big tank!

[@kentechreviews357]

Nice hoody.. Rough world it is.

[@honzanemec1547]

At this price, you'd have to be an absolute mug to not buy a Tesla Model Y or Jag I-PACE. Electric cars are just so much more responsive and torque-y. Plus having a full tank(full charge) each time you leave home means no more filthy service stations.

[@xendroid5063]

That's a massive assumption. You are assuming that electric cars work for anyone and everyone regardless of where they live... Where were live,. Australia, unfortunately isn't that developed in terms of infrastructure. Also talking about build quality ... Tesla... Lol... Elon really needs to musk up that department

[@BatmanRZ]

u didnt take it off road

[@adilsagadiyev5090]

you forgot to mention that the entire center console is hard plastic and I mean THE ENTIRE CENTER CONSOLE

[@striderdnb]

Old mate here looks like Seth MacFarlane crossed with Jim Jefferies

[@serjezati4244]

I find it 😍🤩😍🤩😍

[@pjkr123]

Ah........the base model of Lamborghini Urus...........

[@richardbush5786]

ok

[@louisfernando4825]

Doesnt drive like an x5

[@honzanemec1547]

the x5 feels like a fat slug compared to a Tesla Model X or Y, or even the Jaguar I-PACE

[@kingzpradhan7647]

Will anyone spent so much at name of Volkswagen

[@charles8557]

86 grand jeez Louise that is not cheap

[@kensouza9239]

That's before on-road costs and all the must-have options :P

[@mixalis6168]

over 100k with all those options !

[@CarExpertAus]

It’s a lot of money!

[@AdHD1905]

The plastics on the lower part art cheap ass polo quality. And the boring level is peaked.

[@Mark-jz5ye]

FYI. It's pronounced "two-wah-reg"

[@ponygt6629]

0-100 kmph in 6.54 s for a 2 ton SUV, no wonder VW is way superior to Ford!!

[@CarExpertAus]

And we get the old diesel - the new V8 should be good fun!

[@ponygt6629]

@@CarExpertAus Yep, its amazing how much VWs cars are under rated when it comes to performance

[@honzanemec1547]

That's still really slow compared to any electric vehicle at this price. Take an electric car for a spin and you'll never want a dinosaur burner again.

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

They should never have redesigned this SUV. Just imagine how refined the gen 1 could be by now. They finally figured out reliability with the 2010 and then redesigned it into a shit generic luxury SUV.

[@ma77mc]

Volkswagen's autozoom is RUBBISH, my Golf GTI always finds a way to zoom out JUST when you want detail and no matter how many times I turn Auto off, it seems to reactivate by itself. I haven't used the GPS in over 2 years because its so rubbish. The rocket will give you a trip overview, if you set the GPS to navigate to Brisbane, it will show you an overview of the route by zooming out.

[@sparkmeister4706]

No DAB! thats just poor.

[@arieksk]

$175,000 for a top of range Touareg.. your kidding me.. Not paying that much for the VW..

[@lawrencegatt4515]

not bad but not great. you pay all that money no spare .

[@Treizez34]

Why US citizens don't understand a good thing when it's in front of them is beyond me....long live the Touareg and boo this crap Atlas we got in it's place :/

[@lawrencegatt4515]

cost to much + far more to SEV. it.

[@bojanglesa7x351]

Volkswagen fucked up not selling this in the USA

[@tristanalgate1138]

No 0-100 like other reviews.

[@lawrencegatt4515]

The xc90 is far a lot better..

[@honzanemec1547]

and yet the XC90 has nothing on a Tesla SUV (either X or Y) and certainly not as luxurious as a Jaguar I-PACE. Plus who the hell wants to drive to a petrol station when you can have a full charge for $15 worth of electricity every time you leave home, you have full range!

[@sourwords1808]

19:45, 1000 liters per tank of fuel? 🤣🤣🤣

[@fletcher_h]

1000L per tank of fuel! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3mynqJjg5eCf5Y

[@Zion1241]

I call mine toe-rag.

[@TisaraM]

Your videos are very good, but they are too long. The best KZbin vids are between 10 to 12 minutes long. People, like me, have a short attention span.

[@CarExpertAus]

That’s why we offer the skip ahead function and chapters 😁 we don’t do short videos, we leave those to our competitors. We want to offer buyers as much information as we can 😁

[@TisaraM]

@@CarExpertAus Ah ok

[@marshallblr]

built quaility isn't the fault of the plantation but the MANUFACTURER aka Volkswagen. I tell you what, all the germans are getting out of the car business. you wouldn't ever get any shit and cheap and crap material and quality if you would buy English made cars. all the german cars are landslide mercedes sucks, bmw sucks, audi useless, volkswagen is a piece of crap. just sit in an English car, for the price of this german car you can buy a Range Rover or a Jag, so why to bother with a german toy car when you can drive a REAL Quality built car ; ),