Volkswagen Touran (2010 – 2015) Review

Volkswagen Touran (2010 – 2015) At A Glance

Sharper styling and revamped interior. Range of frugal engines including turbocharged chain cam 1.2 TSI. Seven seats as standard and a versatile interior.

Not the smart new model that was expected.

Reviews for Volkswagen Touran (2010 – 2015)'s top 3 rivals

Mazda 5

Seven seats. Sliding side doors. Compliant suspension is superb on poor road surfaces.

Ford Grand C-MAX

Seven seats as standard, plus sliding side doors. Outstanding ride and handling. Good range of petrol...

Toyota Verso

Compact seven seater. Excellent Valvematic 1.8 petrol engine with smooth seven-ratio CVT gives 40+ mpg....

Volkswagen Touran (2010 – 2015) handling and engines

• Engines range from 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Technology to 2.0 TDI 177
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 33–64 mpg

There's a good range of engines available in the Touran range and all offer impressive economy for their respective power outputs. The newest unit is the 1.2-litre TSI with 105PS. It may sound far too small for a car of the Touran's size but thanks to a turbocharger it delivers more than adequate pace with the 175Nm of torque available from just 1550rpm which is very useful when accelerating from low revs.

Claimed average fuel consumption is 44.1mpg while CO2 emissions are 149g/km of CO2 but it's also available with BlueMotion technology which originally was only on diesel models, This adds an engine stop/start button, battery regeneration, low rolling resistance tyres and gear change recommendation which all combine to boost economy to 47.9mpg and lower CO2 emissions to 139g/km.

The other petrol is a 1.4-litre TSI unit which also uses a turbocharger to produce an impressive 140PS along with 220Nm of torque. It's a strong little engine that's surprisingly nippy and is happy to be revved without sounding coarse, yet still averages a claimed 41.5mpg with the standard six-speed manual gearbox and 42.8mpg with the optional seven-speed DSG.

The DSG double-clutch gearbox is a very advanced system that uses two clutches to deliver super-fast shifts. It works very well the majority of the time but there is a word of caution. Protective software can delay the message from the brake switch to ECU that the brakes have been released, allowing the car to enter a junction or roundabout on the fuel in the combustion chambers, then momentarily shut off mid-junction.

As you'd expect, it's the diesels which are the more popular choice on the Touran. The entry-level unit is a 1.6 TDI which is available in two outputs of 90PS and 105PS. As it's a common rail diesel it's far quieter and smoother than the older PD diesel that Volkswagen used to use. The 90PS version is as frugal as you'd expect and averages a claimed 55.4mpg but it can feel sluggish and hard work, especially with a full load on board.

The 105PS model is more sprightly and has slightly more torque too (250Nm compared to 230Nm). It's available with the six-speed manual which is slick and positive, or the optional seven-speed DSG.

There's a BlueMotion version available which returns a claimed 61.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 121g/km making it the most efficient model in the Touran range. This is a good choice if you don't require outright pace as it's smooth, pulls well in-gear and is ideal for long distance driving.

But the 2.0 TDI is better if you want a bit more punch from your Touran. This engine is used across the Volkswagen range as well as in most Skoda, SEAT and Audi models so will be a familiar engine to most.

The 140PS is more than strong enough for most with 320Nm of torque available from 1750rpm which means it pulls well from low down, making it ideal for easy overtaking and means you don't have to change gear very often on the motorway. It can sound a little clattery sometimes, for instance if you ask it pull away from low revs in too high a gear, but most of the time it's smooth and relatively quiet.

Claimed fuel economy for the 2.0 TDI 140 is 53.3mpg with the manual gearbox (49.6mpg with the DSG). The top model in the Touran range is the 2.0 TDI 170PS which is available only with a six-speed DSG gearbox, so it accelerates from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds with claimed fuel consumption of 49.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 151g/km.

From behind the wheel the Touran is everything you'd expect of a Volkswagen people carrier. While excitement may not be on the menu, it's comfortable, reassuring and easy to drive with nicely weighted steering which becomes light at low speeds for easy parking manouevres.

The brakes are strong yet progressive, so coming to a halt from quicker speeds is done with minimal fuss. There's the usual body roll in corners, but nothing excessive while the ride copes well with most conditions, although can feel a little stiff over rough surfaces.

There's an optional system called Adaptive Chassis Control (available on SE and Sport models) which allows you to alter the suspension's damping characteristics via different modes. The default 'normal' setting strikes a good balance for everyday use while 'sport' reduces the steering assistance, hardens the damping and increase throttle response. 'Comfort' softens the suspension and increases the steering assistance for easy driving and is ideal for motorways.

Volkswagen Touran (2010 – 2015) interior

• Boot space is 121–1913 litres

Practicality is a real Touran strength, as you'd expect from a people carrier. The fact it comes with seven seats as standard is a real bonus (not all MPVs this size do) and although the rearmost seats aren't ideal for adults to a lack of knee room, they're ideal for younger children or occassional use.

If you don't need all seven seats, you can opt for a five-seat version which increases boot space, although this might impact on the value you get when you come to sell it, as most second-hand buyers will want the seven-seater.

And the extra seats only have a marginal impact on boot space, taking up around 76 litres of overall boot space. Both can be folded away into the load-area floor thanks to a simple mechanism and each seat is equipped with a lap and shoulder seatbelt along with a removable head restraint. Getting to the rear seats isn't particularly easy as space is quite restricted, but the seats themselves are well padded and comfortable enough.

The second row is made up of three seperate seats which slide forward or backward, can be moved sideways and folded down or even removed completely. Each weighs around 17kg so they're fairly easy to take out, although you do have to find somewhere to store them.

The seats are also slightly raised, making it easy to fit child seats. There's plenty of leg and head room in the second row and the middle seat can usefully be folded down to create a table. Both outer seats have Isofix child seat mountings.

With all seven seats in use, boot space is limited to 121 litres - enough for a few shopping bags but not too much else. But there are storage areas in the rear side panels and under the floor for smaller items (ideal for stuff like ice scrapers and de-icer). In five-seat configuration there's a far more useful 695 litres - that's more than a BMW X5 offers and means plenty of room for luggage, shopping and pushchairs.

Elsewhere in the cabin thete are 35 different storage areas including a useful large lidded box in the dash top, large door bins that can accommodate a one-litre bottle and two good-sized cupholders in the centre. The front seats are spacious too with good elbow room while the raised driving position gives a good view out without feeling too high-up.

The quality of the finish and materials used feels upmarket with soft-touch plastics throughout and a high-quality, precise action to all the switches and controls. The air conditioning system is particularly slick and user-friendly while the redesigned instrument dials with their white backlighting are simple to read. DSG versions have a restyled gear shift grip and gaiter too.

Standard equipment from launch (September 2010):

S is the entry-level models and comes with ESP stability control, electronic air conditioning, remote central locking, an engine immobiliser, Isofix mounting points for outer seats of second row, curtain airbags for front and second row passengers, electric windows, electrically heated and adjusted door mirrors, hill hold function, a multifunction computer, CD stereo, cruise control, black roof rails, height and reach adjustable steering, 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/65 R15 tyres and a tyre repair kit (seven-seat models only).

S BlueMotion versions are designed for economy and so get 195/65 R15 low rolling resistance tyres, a gearchange recommendation, battery regeneration and an engine stop/start function.

SE trim adds an alarm, automatic coming home/leaving lighting, rain sensors, an automatic dimming rearview mirror, driver and front passenger under seat drawers, front comfort seats with height and lumbar support, storage pockets on the back of the front seats, Park Assist, parking sensors front and rear, iPod and USB connectivity, 12V socket for second row of seats, leather trimmed multifunction steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake, chrome roof rails, heat insulated glass from side-pillar back, 16-inch alloys with 205/55 R16 tyres.

SE BlueMotion have the same extra as the S BlueMotion models including the 195/65 R15 low rolling resistance tyres and 15-inch alloys.

Sport models have 2Zone electronic climate control, carpet mats, front fog lights, front sport seats, Alcantara upholstery on the seat centre section with Microfibre side bolsters, chrome plated instrument surrounds and interior trim, touchscreen stereo with a six CD autochanger and an AUX-in socket plus 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/55 R16 tyres.

Sport BlueMotion trim does seem a little odd, but gets 16-inch alloys with 205/55 R16 low rolling resistance tyres, an engine stop/start function, battery regeneration and a multifunction computer with a gear change recommendation.

Volkswagen Touran (2010 – 2015) models and specs

On sale until October 2015

On sale until September 2013

On sale until April 2013