VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN 1.5 TSI 150 SE
Being a parent is hard enough, so it’s good to know the Volkswagen Touran will take everything in its stride so you can concentrate on important family stuff – things like sorting out packed lunches, helping out with homework and picking up the kids from school.
In fact, while similar-priced rivals such as the Vauxhall Combo-e Life will accommodate four children, every Touran can seat six of the little darlings. Those seats are highly flexible too, just like in the larger, pricier Ford Galaxy.
The middle row separates into three individual perches that can be slid and folded as you require, allowing you to provide more leg room for those in the third row – helpful when the grandparents come to stay. You also get Isofix points on all five rear seats, which is good news for those with youngsters who require child seats.
Whoever’s on board will be impressed with the Touran’s compliant ride, and by MPV standards it’s a very quiet cruiser. You’ll hear less wind noise than in the Berlingo, and the petrol engine only makes itself heard when pushed hard.
On those long summer holiday drives with the children on their break from school, the kids will like that there are plenty of power points throughout the interior so everyone can charge up their devices. And speaking of the interior, the Touran’s is a cut above those of all similar-priced rivals when it comes to quality. The numerous soft-touch surfaces and chrome details lift it close to the plushness of the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer – an MPV with a far higher list price.
While the infotainment system isn’t as easy to use on the move as that of the 2 Series, the Touran’s touchscreen is one of the most straightforward set-ups of its kind and responds swiftly to inputs.
Our MPV of the Year’s best quality, though, is that it doesn’t drive like a roly-poly MPV; it actually feels far more like a regular family hatchback than something that was built to haul around seven people. Even its
comparatively small 1.5-litre engine has plenty of performance to get you up to speed when every seat is occupied.
Add in respectable fuel economy, plus the advantage of being able to go much farther on a full tank than electric rivals like the Combo-e Life can manage on a single charge, and the Touran could be the next high achiever in your family.
KEY FACTS
List Price £30,470 Target Price £28,844 Target PCP £301*
Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Power 148bhp Torque 184lb ft Gearbox 6-spd manual
0-62mph 8.9sec Top speed 130mph
Official economy 43.1mpg CO2, tax band 149g/km, 33% Euro NCAP safety rating (2015)