Volkswagen Touran

Volkswagen Touran removed from Scheme 1st April 2022

The Volkswagen Touran (2016) is a seven seat car sharing a chassis with the VW Golf it sits between the Golf SV and the larger Sharan.  This version is slightly more sleek though has the familiar box shape of the outgoing model. The Touran has three individual seats in the second row, that can house three car seats, and two good size seats in the third row and even with all seats in position it has room in the boot for a pushchair, not something all cars trading as seven seaters can offer.

The Touran comes in four trim levels: S, SE, SE Family, SEL and the sporty R-Line. All models get a 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, DAB digital radio, bluetooth phone connectivity, a second row of seats that can be slid back and forth, a plethora of storage spaces and air-conditioning. If you upgrade to SE trim, you get 16 inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, privacy glass, adaptive cruise control and folding tables on the back of the front seats, while SE Family gets a panoramic sunroof and Discover Navigation. SEL trim is the luxurious one with 17 inch alloy wheels, 3 Zone Climatronic air conditioning, APP Connect for Aple Carplay / Android Auto and nicer sears. Heated seats are a £210 extra across the range. R-Line adds 18-inch alloy wheels, R-Line badges and model-specific front and rear bumpers. Inside, you get R-Line sports seats and stainless steel pedals.

The engines are all excellent for those that prefer diesel economy the 1.6 litre diesel has been replaced with a de-tuned 2.0 litre as a six speed manual or seven speed automatic (DSG), while it only offers 113 bhp the smoothness and even delivery of the available power makes this engine surprising capable even fully loaded.  A 1.0 litre petrol with 113 bhp is an option for those that do not want a diesel engine or opt for a more cost effective Touran and is only available as a manual. If you tow a caravan (1800kg braked tow limit) the 150bhp 2.0 diesel is the engine for you, 0-62 in 9.9 seconds and a claimed economy of 64.2 mpg as a six speed manual or 60.1 mpg as a six speed DSG Automatic. The 1.5 litre petrol offers 148 bhp and offers excellent economy at 49.6 as a manual or 51.4 as a DSG auto, the 148 bhp makes for apowerful companion,  0-62 in 9.5 seconds.

The Touran is a pleasant surprise, well equipped and the cheapest seven seater to run by a country mile, it also has an amazing knack of looking much smaller than it actually is, worth a closer look to all that are after a well built economical people carrier. The Touran has been awarded “Best MPV 2016″ at the annual What Car Awards. The judges said: “This new Volkswagen Touran is great to drive, classy-feeling inside and has better safety credentials than most of its rivals.”