It seems like South Africans have been waiting forever for the new Touareg to arrive, and it looks like it was worth it!
What's new, styling wise?
The new Touareg's visage has been properly revamped and the Audi Q8 influence is evident, but the Touareg's vibe is more rugged, underscoring its go-anywhere, do-anything roots. I felt the outgoing model had too much blingy bits up front, but this has been corrected in the more understated grille of the new model.
Buying used? Read our 2018 Touareg review here.
The latest version of VW's intelligent IQ.Light HD matrix headlamps are fitted to all models and won't cost buyers an extra cent. The three L-shaped daytime running lamps on either side and a thin, illuminated central light strip cut a striking picture.
At the rear, the blandness is no more, as the Touareg gets a trendy continuous horizontal LED strip for the taillight clusters and the red lighting makes the VW logo appear red too. Some stunning alloy wheel designs are on offer.
Has the interior been updated?
The spec sheet is now much more comprehensive, voice control is said to be better, and there are plenty of USB C-ports with a 45-watt charging capacity on board to keep everyone's devices running.
According to VW, even the centre console trims are softer for a more luxurious feeling.
What about driving assistants?
The list of new driving assistants includes Travel Assist, Area View Camera, and Night Vision. Here's how they work.
Travel Assist
Travel Assist is a semi-autonomous feature that helps you drive by automatically adjusting your speed to match the traffic around you and keeping your car centred in its lane. If you’re on a long trip or stuck in traffic, this feature takes some of the stress off your shoulders, making it easier to stay relaxed and focused on driving. It also gently steers around bends.
Area View Camera
The Area View camera system gives you a complete picture of what’s happening around your vehicle. It uses cameras placed all around the Touareg to create a virtual overhead view that you can see on the dashboard screen. This is helpful when parking or trying to squeeze into a tight spot, as it shows you any obstacles or pedestrians that might be in your way, making it easier to manoeuvre safely.
Night Vision
Night Vision uses special cameras to detect people and animals that might be hard to see with regular headlights. If something is detected, it shows you a warning on the dashboard, helping you react quickly to avoid potential accidents. This way, you can drive more confidently at night, knowing you have an extra set of eyes looking out for you.
Which engines are on offer in the Touareg range?
Volkswagen's trusty 3.0-litre TDI 190kW engine is standard across the board, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and to reach those far-of places, 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive (all models).
Features in the Elegance and R-Line models
- The aforementioned new IQ. Light HD matrix headlights,
- IQ. Light LED tail light clusters with dynamic brake and turn signal functions, as well as an illuminated Volkswagen logo,
- 30-colour ambient lighting with adjustable colour settings across three zones, now with footwell and drink holder illumination,
- Updated interior trims featuring a specific design,
- New radiator grille with a specific design,
- Electrically adjustable leather seats,
- Updated alloy wheels in a specific design,
- New bumpers with a specific design,
- New Volkswagen logo projection via exterior mirror housings, providing surrounding lighting.
Pricing
The outgoing Touareg lineup had three models on offer, the V6 TDI Luxury (R1 444 800), V6 TDI Luxury R-Line (R1 517 800), and V6 TDI Executive R-Line (R1 760 100), but for now, VW is doing away with the mid-range model, and nomenclature is slightly different, while new-model pricing is just a smidge higher:
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI 190kW (Elegance) R1 457 900
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI 190kW (R-Line) R1 763 900
(In some overseas markets like Australia, the Touareg R is available as a plug-in hybrid.)
A 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan along with a 3-year/120 000 km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty are standard. A service is required every 15 000 km.
Who is the new Touareg up against?
The Touareg faces off against segment favourites like the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Audi Q7 and Q8, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Volvo XC90, Ineos Grenadier, Land Rover Discovery/Discovery Sport, Nissan Patrol, and BMW X5, to name a few.
Buying an older model? Read our 2015 road-trip review here and full review here.
When does the new Touareg go on sale?
Those who are fortunate enough to do so, can get their hands on brand new Touareg from 1 August 2024.
Source: Volkswagen South Africa
