Volkswagen Touareg

GOODBYE

£58,335 OTR/£74,755 as tested/£613pcm

WHY IT’S HERE

Is this the thinking family’s Bentley Bentayga?

DRIVER

Adam Waddell

READ PRETTY MUCH ANY REVIEW OF THE VW TOUAREG – INCLUDING some of mine – and you’ll learn that it shares its underpinnings with the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. However, if you think its understated looks mean you get less of a vehicle, you’d be wrong. Everyone who steps into the VW is pleasantly surprised by the quality in the interior. It uses top-notch materials and is well laid out – and of course everyone is blown away by the huge infotainment screen which blends seamlessly into the driver’s instrument panel to give the impression of one huge piece of glass.

The 3.0 V6 TDI engine is extremely refined; our test car is the 281bhp version which will power you to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and take you on to a maximum of 146mph. That’s more than enough poke as far as I’m concerned. As regards fuel efficiency, in an industry first, I’ve found that VW’s quoted combined fuel consumption is similar to my own experience. The company quotes 33.6mpg and despite living in London I seem to return an average of more than 30mpg most months.

So, the Touareg is a hugely capable and likeable family car but there are a few niggles. The glovebox is miniscule and the pre-impact warning system is a little on the cautious side. Also, despite it being largely intuitive and easy to use, the infotainment screen still frustrates me in that the clock isn’t permanently displayed. Similarly, after almost a year with the car I still haven’t figured out how to get the odometer reading up on the screen. Basics such as these should be simple and permanently on display. But these are minor points. I’ve genuinely connected with the big VW in our time together, and I’ll miss it when it leaves us later this month.