Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Touran 1.6 FSI SE

Here's another people carrier that aims to save you money on fuel. Buy any Volkswagen and you are usually better off going for the costlier TDI models. But if you don't cover many miles a year, the price premium over a petrol version could negate the benefit of reduced fuel bills. And that's where the direct-injection petrol unit comes in.

The FSI isn't good enough to be recommended over diesel siblings, but it makes some financial sense if you don't have to worry about company car tax.

Here's another people carrier that aims to save you money on fuel. Buy any Volkswagen and you are usually better off going for the costlier TDI models. But if you don't cover many miles a year, the price premium over a petrol version could negate the benefit of reduced fuel bills. And that's where the direct-injection petrol unit comes in.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As long as you don't expect tyre-shredding performance, the efficient FSI engine does remarkably well. Refinement is one of its strongest points, despite being rough and clattery in the Audi A2. On the open road, the unit is quiet at cruising speeds and seems perfectly adequate. However, it doesn't have the same mid-range power as a diesel and the car has to be pushed hard in each ratio to get the most out of the engine. Load the seven-seater with five or more passengers and you need to keep stirring the gears to stop the unit sounding strained. Pressing on hurts fuel returns, too, and while CO2 emissions are better than the non-FSI 1.6 variant, they land the people carrier with a hefty 20 per cent company car tax rating.

Priced £17,525 in SE spec, the Touran FSI undercuts the identically trimmed 1.9-litre TDI by £200 and the more refined 2.0-litre TDI Sport by a whopping £2,935. Couple that with one of the most practical cabins around, and the direct-injection variant looks like a sensible choice for the private buyer, even if it isn't the best model in the Touran range.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Touran

Volkswagen Touran

RRP £27,285Avg. savings £3,581 off RRP*Used from £11,450
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £13,262
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,499 off RRP*Used from £10,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
New 2026 Honda 0 SUV: Japanese brand to finally have an EV to rival Tesla and BYD
Auto Express senior staff writer Jordan Katsianis stood next to the Honda 0 SUV prototype

New 2026 Honda 0 SUV: Japanese brand to finally have an EV to rival Tesla and BYD

Honda EV plans are gathering momentum, and they’ll be realised in the groundbreaking 0 SUV next year
News
1 Jul 2025