Name: Volkswagen Touran (2015 – ) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen Touran
Rating: 73

Summary

Based on the previous-generation Volkswagen Golf, the Touran is a seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). This model is the third-generation Touran, which has been on sale since 2015.

Not much has changed for the Volkswagen Touran during its lifespan – there has been no mid-life facelift for the MPV like other models in the Volkswagen range usually receive, only the introduction of a range-topping Touran R-Line trim in early 2016.

Rivals for the Touran have gradually disappeared over time, with the likes of the Ford C-Max and Citroën C3 Picasso no longer on sale. The Touran looks set to go the same way in the not-too-distant future, with no direct replacement model on the horizon as Volkswagen switches its focus onto an entirely new range of electric cars.

The Touran has received plenty of praise from the UK media during its tenure, mostly from What Car?, which has given it numerous awards over the years. “The Volkswagen Touran is roomy, practical, very well built and good to drive”, What Car? concludes, while Heycar adds that this compact MPV has “all the space most families could possibly wish for”, while offering more value for money than an SUV or larger seven-seat MPVs like the Ford Galaxy.

That said, many reviewers find the Volkswagen Touran works best as a spacious five-seater. With all seven seats in use, the 137-litre boot space is “barely enough space for a weekly shop”, Carwow explains.

The biggest criticism levelled at the Touran concerns its rather bland exterior styling – Top Gear asserts that the Touran has a “forgettable, taxi-driver image”.

Nevertheless, the Touran is one of the most versatile people carriers around, offering fuss-free family motoring in an affordable package that Which? concludes is “close to MPV heaven.”

As of February 2023, the Volkswagen Touran holds an Expert Rating of 73% based on 17 reviews, which makes it the highest-scoring MPV listed in our award-winning Expert Rating Index.

More Volkswagen ratings, reviews, news and features

Touran highlights

Spacious interior
Easy driving experience
Impressive build quality
Good choice of engines

Touran lowlights

Third row of seats is not very practical
Minimal boot space when in seven-seater mode
Other MPVs are cheaper
No hybrid or electric models

Key specifications

Body style: Compact MPV
Engines: petrol
Price: From £32,735 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2015
Last updated: Spring 2016
Replacement due: N/A

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is roomy, practical, very well built and good to drive.”
Read review

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Subtle improvements across the board make the new Volkswagen Touran more impressive than ever.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Touran’s generous space alone is enough to make this one of the very best mid-size SUVs.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“If you need the versatility of a seven-seat MPV, but find a larger model like the Sharan or Galaxy simply too massive or expensive, the Touran is an excellent compromise.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is a spacious MPV with seven seats and a wide range of engines.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is a practical family car that has lots of space, seven seats and a huge array of storage areas, but it’s not exactly eye-catching.”
Read review

Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed:
“The Touran is a well-engineered and refined compact MPV which achieves fuel economy that would have been beyond superminis a few years ago.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“You can’t knock the Volkswagen Touran. It drives like a Golf but offers all the space most families could possibly wish for. It’s better value for money than an SUV while its interior outshines most rivals this side of a BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is hugely practical.”
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The seven-seat Volkswagen Touran is worth considering if you’re after fuss-free family motoring.”
Read review

Motors.co.uk+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran has sophisticated looks and is very practical.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The VW Touran is a capable family people-carrier seats seven at a push.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran takes the stress out of family motoring.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2015
Score: 9 / 10
“Families can’t go too far wrong with the latest Touran, which is among the most versatile cars in its class.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Better than the car it replaces, but not interesting, exciting or memorable.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is roomy, practical, very well built and good to drive. It’s a bit more expensive than the Citroën C4 Grand Spacetourer, but worth the extra – especially when you factor in the huge discounts that are available.”
Read review

Which?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Close to MPV heaven.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 77%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 62%
Safety assist: 66%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2023, the Volkswagen Touran has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 47
Average repair cost: £735.2
Last updated: February 2023

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Volkswagen Touran has a poor reliability score of just 39% as of February 2023, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partner MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation Touran and the previous (pre-2015) models.

The most common problems in the Touran are electrical issues, which make up more than a third of all workshop repairs. Of greater concern, however, are gearbox problems, which make up more than a quarter of all warranty claims and have an average repair cost of more than £2,000. Engine repairs are also common enough to be a concern, with an average repair cost of more than £800.

Other sources have also criticised the Touran for poor reliability – in its 2022 reliability survey, What Car? ranked it dead last in the MPV category.

Given the poor reliability score and potentially expensive bills, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase for a Volkswagen Touran covers all of these potential problem areas.