Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Touran BlueMotion

VW MPV, complete with eco tweaks, makes strong case for itself

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£3,581 off RRP*
Find your Volkswagen Touran
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Touran wasn’t really broken – so VW hasn’t had to fix it. Instead, it has carried out a raft of comprehensive refinements, which improve the experience for drivers and passengers alike. The new car is better to drive and to look at than before, while cabin quality has taken a step forward, too. Buyers are also likely to be wowed by the technology, which includes the innovative Park Assist system. The trouble is, all these improvements come at a price that’s set to be undercut by more established rivals.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It was late to the MPV party when it arrived in 2003, but the VW Touran has been a huge hit.

In seven years, more than one million have found homes, and now there’s a new version, which promises to be more stylish, hi-tech and frugal than ever. But with Ford’s second-generation C-MAX on sale this autumn, will that be enough?

Ignore the familiar look – this is an all-new car, sharing its chassis with the latest Golf, and much of its design, too. The grille and front bumper air intakes use horizontal lines to make the MPV appear wider than it is, and the angular headlights contribute to the clean and simple design.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Touran

2025 Volkswagen

Touran

58,459 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £18,297
View Touran
Touran

2026 Volkswagen

Touran

36,049 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £19,800
View Touran
Touran

2018 Volkswagen

Touran

59,463 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £14,750
View Touran
Touran

2026 Volkswagen

Touran

15,742 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,995
View Touran

The rear gets a vertical tailgate with a large rectangular window to aid visibility, while visual drama is provided by a set of intricate LED tail-lamps.

Inside, VW has paid attention to quality and practicality. There’s a multifunction steering wheel and subtly backlit dials lifted from the Golf, plus a new centre console with improved heating controls.

Bosses claim that there are 39 separate storage compartments – including the air-conditioned glovebox – while the Touran has seven seats as standard. The two rear chairs, which are only really suitable for small children, fold into the boot, giving a 695-litre load area. The middle row of three can all be moved, folded or taken out independently, to provide a total capacity of 1,913 litres.

In addition, this is the first model to get a new version of VW’s Park Assist. This improves on the excellent system that sees the on-board computer take over steering controls when parallel parking. The lights incorporate an automatic beam control set-up, too. When they spot an oncoming vehicle, they dip by themselves.

On the move, the Touran is excellent. Visibility is superb and the slab sides make placing the car on the road easy. The ride is firm but not uncomfortable, while there was very little noise intrusion from our car’s 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine.

The unit revs freely, and offers adequate response even when the MPV is fully loaded. But more impressive is the fact it returns a brilliant 61.4mpg – thanks to VW’s fuel-saving BlueMotion tweaks, which include stop-start. It all adds up to another strong seller.

Rival: Ren. Grand Scenic
Seven-seater Renault can’t quite match the quality feel of the latest Touran, but it runs it very close in terms of driver appeal. The Grand Scenic’s trump cards include a lower list price, longer standard equipment tally and more spacious interior – so it’s a really tempting proposition.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Touran

Volkswagen Touran

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,440
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,886
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,214 off RRP*Used from £10,395
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025