Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI

The people's carrier

The people's car is back! Having focused its attention on the launch of ultra-exclusive models such as the £70,000 Phaeton W12 limousine and Touareg off-roader, VW returns to its roots this summer. It's launching the Touran - a mid-sized MPV the firm hopes will shoot past the Citroen Xsara Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira to the top of the class.

By Euan Sey

February 2003

The people's car is back! Having focused its attention on the launch of ultra-exclusive models such as the ΂£70,000 Phaeton W12 limousine and Touareg off-roader, VW returns to its roots this summer. It's launching the Touran - a mid-sized MPV the firm hopes will shoot past the Citroen Xsara Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira to the top of the class.

Volkswagen has taken its time to enter this rapidly-growing sector, so it's no longer only the market leaders the Touran will have to beat. Ford's Focus-based C-MAX is in the frame, too, and its arrival will coincide with the launch of the next-generation Renault Scenic in September.

Unlike the C-MAX and Picasso, which both have only five seats, and the Vauxhall which has seven, the newcomer will be sold as a conventional five-seater with the option of an extra row of chairs in the boot for an additional ΂£500. VW has designed a Zafira-style folding rear seat mechanism that allows the third pair of chairs to be dropped individually into the boot floor. This creates a flush load area that can hold 695 litres of luggage - more than the Golf Estate.

You can also remove the second row of seats to create 1,989 litres of bootspace - although this area isn't completely flat, as it is in the Zafira when its middle row is folded forward. If these options don't suit your needs, then the cabin can be arranged in a virtually infinite number of combinations. And there will, of course, be plenty of bike racks, fridges and other accessories offered on the options list.

So just how effective is the Touran at carrying seven people? Well, the wide-opening rear doors and forward-flipping second row (which also slide on runners) make access to the rearmost chairs easy enough, but only a child would find the leg and headroom adequate. What's more, there's barely enough space for a pair of laptop PCs in the boot once a full complement of passengers is aboard, and things are a little tight around the shoulders in the second row. Up front, there's a minimalist dash that apes the Touran's Polo stablemate, plus a commanding driving position for maximum visibility.

For now, engine options in the UK will be restricted to three units - a 115bhp 1.6-litre FSI, a 100bhp 1.9 TDI and 136bhp 2.0-litre Pumpe D

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Touran visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Sponsored Results

Find New Cars

Find your new Volkswagen Touran with our new car search:

Find New Cars
Find Used Cars

Find your Volkswagen Touran with our used car search.

Find Used Cars

FIRST OPINION

    Volkswagen might be late to the compact MPV party, but what an entrance! The Touran's blend of versatility, build and refinement makes it an appealing package for families. Its new 2.0-litre oil-burner is a gem, too. Add a sparkling chassis, and you have a genuine contender for class honours.
 

AT A GLANCE

    First mid-size MPV from Volkswagen goes on sale this summer
    Only 1.6 FSI, 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI engines available at launch
     
    - Advertisement -