Volkswagen Touran (03-10) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 18 November 2009
Volkswagen's Touran is a seven-seat people carrier that's been on sale in the UK since 2003. It’s more traditionally styled than other people carriers, but its boxier shape means plenty of room for passengers in the back. It comes with seven-seats as standard but buyers can specify a five-seat version at no extra cost. Safe, spacious and comfortable the Touran is a good all-rounder, although it's far from exciting to drive. A facelift in 2007 brought a new look to the front (the headlights and chrome grille are new), smarter materials inside and a nifty optional extra that gives the car the ability to park itself. There's also an eco-friendly Bluemotion model available which averages an impressive 52mpg.
4 out of 5

Other Volkswagen reviews

3.5 out of 5

Running costs

The Touran is well built, practical and has the kudos of the Volkswagen badge - as a result it holds its value well. Fuel economy for all engines is good, but especially so in the 1.4 TSI (even though it uses a supercharger and turbocharger) and the 1.9 TDI diesels, but if you really want to keep costs down go for one of the Bluemotion models. Insurance groups are average, but Volkswagen parts and servicing can be expensive.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,534 - £1,805 *

Diesel

£1,233 - £1,602 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

Variable according to on board computer.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£135.00 - £250.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

3.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
    144
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
    197
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

The Touran scores well on the eco front and with an average of 176g/km of CO2 across the model line-up its emissions are quite low for a people carrier. Eco-conscious buyers should go for the Bluemotion model which, thanks to its 1.9 TDI engine emits 144g/km of CO2 and averages 52mpg.

Find the exact engine and CO2