Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Volkswagen Touran 1.6 TDI
Price: to be confirmed
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body style: seven-seat mid-sized MPV
CO2 emissions: 116g/km (Band C, £30 per year)
Combined economy: 64.2mpg
Top speed: 116mph
0-62mph: 11.9 seconds
Power: 110hp at 3,200- to 4,000rpm
Torque 250Nm at 1,500- to 3,000rpm
What's this?
An all-new Touran, Volkswagen's sub-Sharan, a mid-sized MPV to take on the likes of Ford's Grand C-Max, the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and a host of other family favourites. Now based on the MQB platform, which underpins a host of VAG products, the Touran's a bit bigger than its predecessor, to the obvious benefit of interior space. Three-row seating is standard in the UK, giving pews for seven in total, with all five rear chairs offering Isofix child seat mounts if you're blessed/cursed with five offspring little enough to require them. The rearmost pair of seats stow neatly under the floor, the second row sliding, folding and reclining for maximum versatility.
Clearly designed with families in mind, the technology package underlines this. There's the availability of a Cam Connect system that allows the fixing of a GoPro camera inside that then displays images of the nippers on the central touchscreen. Should you spot them misbehaving then the voice amplification allows conversation between rows without shouting, using the phone microphone and car speakers. The interior is neatly styled, with enough cubbies to ensure you lose some things forever, and the build quality is as robust and smart as you'd expect from Volkswagen. It's all very grown up and sensible really, though instead of feeling like a bigger Golf, as its predecessor did, this new Touran feels more like a slightly smaller Sharan. Which, if you're buying it for its practicality - as you will be - is a very good thing. Boot space is in the class-leading territory, with 743 litres to the back window, 917 litres to the roof and 1,980 litres if all the back seats are down. Fold the front seat flat and there's over 2.7 metres of length for those IKEA wardrobe flat pack boxes.
How does it drive?
Entirely predictably, which is to say without any fuss whatsoever. With those five seats occupied in the back you'll be happy with the Touran's ease of operation. Volkswagen will sell you it with a choice of four engines, two petrol TSI turbos of 1.2- and 1.4-litre capacity with 110- and 150hp respectively and a brace of TDIs in 1.6- and 2.0-litre capacities. The outputs of the TDIs match their TSI relations and the 1.6's 110hp will be enough for most buyers - it's the likely best seller in the UK. There's a 2.0-litre DSG-only range-topper with 190hp, too.
The 1.6 TDI might not be as smooth as either of the petrol units (or the 2.0 TDI), but you'll forgive it that for a torque advantage over the 1.2 TSI, and its better economy and emissions - 64.2mpg and 116g/km. The petrol TSIs run it very close though, so if you're not doing bigger mileages then either of the petrol models are well worth considering.
Manuals make up the bulk of the sales mix, the six-speeder easy in its operation, with familiar Volkswagen weighting across its gate. There's the option of a seven-speed DSG automatic for greater ease - and improved economy, the 1.6 TDI achieving 67.3mpg and 111g/km of CO2 so equipped. That DSG will be worth the £1,200 to £1,500 premium it's likely to command, though Volkswagen is yet to confirm prices for the new Touran. Choose the 2.0-litre TDI with DSG and it's a seven-speed unit.
Riding well and steering accurately, the Touran is offered with the full suite of anticipatory, preventative and mitigating safety technology, depending on specification. Trims start with the S, rising through SE, SE Family and SEL, all come with DAB audio, Bluetooth connection, air conditioning, post crash braking and seven airbags. SE will add alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors and Front Assist with city braking function, SE Family adding a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, satnav, and a cargo management system. SEL features the latest App connect, Adaptive Cruise Control and Driver Profile Select - for switching between various, ultimately pointless, driver modes.
Verdict
You'll buy a new Volkswagen Touran because you need it rather than desire it, but as family-friendly vehicles go it's entirely fit for purpose. That it's well built is a given, though there's some flair to the looks now inside and out. No flair to how it drives, but then it's not designed to excite. The delight is in its ease, which if you're using it as intended is genuinely impressive. Only its anticipated high pricing counts against it. Ford's Grand C-Max, Citroen's Grand C4 Picasso and many more will be cheaper to buy, though the Touran's class-leading space and simplicity do count in its favour.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
