VW people-mover plainly perfect
You don’t see many around, and when they comeup for sale they soon find buyers, which is always a good sign of a decent car says DAVE MOORE.
The Touran was designed to fit under the Sharan MPV in the VW range – a model shared as the Ford Galaxy and Seat Alhambra from the mid 90s. Volkswagen had noticed how successful other European C-segment hatch-based MPVs were becoming and so using their experience from the Sharan the company stretched and lifted the fifth generation Volkswagen Golf to create theirs. As a result, VW had a car to compete with the bigselling Picasso and Scenic from France and the Zafira from Germany, at the same time preempting Ford’s C-Max. The Golf-based vehicle is larger over all inside than those competitors and the Touran could be had on European markets with a choice of five- or seven-seat versions. In some regions, such as Japan, the car is even called Golf Touran. We’re told that the name Touran – created to fit in with Touareg and later Tiguan models – is created from the word tour and the larger Sharan’s name.
Being derived from the Golf V, the Touran shared with the famous hatch a big range of engines and transmissions, including later six-speed DSG units which were the best for fuel economy. The Touran did not stay on the New Zealand market for long, and the latest model you’re likely to find will be around the 2007, though we did find some ex-UK models from 2009 and 2010, many with the 1.4-litre Polo engine under the bonnet. This engine and the 1.6-litre petrol unit from the Golf are not the best for lugging seven people about, and we’d recommend the larger petrol and diesel engined versions.
Every model has twin front and side airbags with later models adding curtain devices, while traction control, air-con, remote central locking and a CD player feature in most Tourans too. Higher spec SE versions add climate control, power windows all-around and sports suspension – the latter being hard-riding compared with the base car.
STRENGTHS:
Good general build quality, welldesigned cabins and logical switchgear were well accepted by the Touran’s customers who also like the choice of engines ranging right up to two-litre diesel petrol units. The Touran also gained plaudits for its chassis which made it feel like a taller, but wellsorted Golf. The cornering and onroad attitude was well-balanced and offered plenty of grip and the steering was contrived to be light at low speeds while offering more weight and heft at higher velocities. Volkswagen managed to give the Touran good body control when cornering, but when fitted with lower-profile wheels and tyres this could mean an over harsh ride. At cruising speeds the cars’ automatic and manual gearing was long-legged enough to provide refined and quiet cruising and used as a family getaway car in this size and price bracket, only Ford’s C-Max comes close and that car only offers five seats.
BEST TO BUY:
The familiar two-litre Golf engine is well-known and reliable, but we’d also try and find the 1.9-litre turbodiesel (as opposed to the 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which is quicker, but not as flexible or economical). The Touran was also offered with VW’s usefully frugal 1.6-litre TDi, too, and with automatic it’s an easy drive and a frugal one at that.
WEAKNESSES:
Some early Tourans had a problem with bolts securing part of the diesel pump, and the loosening of them could leading to a fuel leak. We’d expect that these were recalled before the first batches of New Zealand imports arrived – but check the paperwork for work done anyway for peace of mind. Recall notes from Europe also reveal references to the flywheel which had been known to fail on some versions. Apart from a seatbelt warning issue and some external trim problems in terms of build quality you won’t find much wrong with the Touran whose great claim to fame was an interior that could take a family’s wear and tear particularly well.
YOU’LL HAVE TO LIVE WITH:
It looks very plain and just like an overscale family Polo which isn’t the most exciting car to look at. The sporty wheels look good, but you’ll have to wear the firm ride when you have them. The cabin offers picnic tables and the like which is good for children, but it comes up short in terms of stowage pockets and cubbies.
WHAT TO PAY:
There are plenty of Tourans out there, despite the relatively short time it was available as a new car here compered with Europe and Japan. A Touran 7 Seater 2.0-litre petrol model from 2005 with 62,000km and six-speed automatic was offered for $12,990, and looked top-notch. However another from the same year with 70,000km is listed out there at $8000, while a GLI from 2004 was listed by a dealer with 55,000km again with 2.0-litres, automatic which could be had for $10,000. We’d say that a budget between $8000 and $10,000 could find a well-sorted and nicely specced model with years left in it.
RUNNING COSTS:
The Touran shouldn’t cost too much to run as VW’s engines from this era are particularly good in terms of fuel use. The diesels are the best for economy, with our favourite 1.9 returning 6L/100km. The two litre petrol unit will score you around 7.5L/100km which isn’t bad at all considering the car’s performance and flexibility.
BUT WAIT:
You can look at the Picasso, Scenic, Zafira and C-Max, but none is as flexible or as tough inside as the Touran.
There is a Volkswagen alternative, as well, if all you want is a roomy five-seater. It’s the Golf Plus which is a high-rise version of the Golf V without the 200mm rear overhang, extra body length and sixth and seventh seats. It’s almost as tall inside but far less spacious and no cheaper .