A new VW Touareg? About time.

It's true that this third-generation Touareg has been a while coming, but, going on our first impression of it, the big SUV seems to have very much been worth the wait. Not only does it get a whole new chassis setup, but it will be available with a vast array of assistance and safety systems and, well, it looks great.

Tell me about that front end.

Undoubtedly that is the first thing you'll notice about the new Touareg. Its front grille, melding with the headlights, creates a truly distinctive look. Crucially, it seems far less polarising than the front of the Volkswagen Arteon. It will fit in well with the existing Volkswagen Tiguan and T-Roc models and it's likely that the forthcoming smaller T-Cross crossover will have a similar look. The Touareg will also be available with advanced new LED matrix headlights that illuminate the road better and in a more dynamic way to optimise how much you can see even with other vehicles on the road.

As for the rest of the car, well, it's a vast improvement. Sure, looks are subjective, but we can't see many critics taking issue with the new Touareg's design. The body panels appear taut and the rear has a semi-sporty sloped tailgate with LED light clusters adding to its broad stance.

How does it measure up against the last model?

Aside from having a hefty dose of extra visual presence, the new model is longer to the tune of 77mm and wider by 44mm, but the roofline is closer to the ground by some 7mm. The more important figure for some will be the increase in boot space by 113 litres to 810 litres. Despite all this, Volkswagen sent the Touareg on a diet, resulting in weight loss of 106kg.

Not bad. How about the interior?

Opening the door and sitting in the driver's seat reveals a lovely cabin design. The quality of materials and overall style seem top notch, and ergonomically, everything appears to work well. But the piece de la resistance is Volkswagen's new Innovision Cockpit Display. Appearing to wrap across half the dashboard with one massive screen, it sets a new standard for infotainment in the mainstream SUV market.

Comprising of a 12-inch instrument display and a 15-inch 'Discover Premium' infotainment screen, it is the largest setup currently used within the Volkswagen Group. Almost every aspect of the car's systems can be controlled through this in addition to offering satnav and smartphone connectivity with media streaming. Buyers will have the option to add a head-up display, too.

An updated multifunction steering wheel and new drive-by-wire automatic gear selector round off what is one of the best-looking cabins that Volkswagen has produced in a long time. Rear passengers aren't forgotten about either, with most models having the option of a sliding rear seat bench that can either increase legroom or add to the boot space. There is a new panoramic glass sunroof available, too, which Volkswagen says is the largest that is has ever fitted to a production car.

Is it easier to personalise?

With so much going on inside the new Touareg, it might take you a while to set it up exactly how you want it. That won't be undone when someone else gets in and drives the car, though, as all these personal settings can be saved to each specific key. So when you next get in to drive it recognises you and sets everything back the way you like it.

Read more about the technical side of the new Touareg here