The Volkswagen Touareg, a luxurious SUV that is produced alongside the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne at Volkswagen’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia, has received a facelift after five years since its third-generation model was first launched in the UK. The new model boasts a series of exterior design upgrades and a reworked interior with new digital functionality across its Elegance and R-Line lines. Additionally, a third entry-level model will be available in the German market.
Among the changes to the exterior is a new-look front grille that emphasizes the visual width of the Touareg. The Elegance trim features a chrome look optic, while the R-line sports a blackened optic. The air ducts in the lower section of the front bumper are also larger than before and receive an individual design depending on the line. The facelifted model also sports reworked headlights, with Volkswagen’s IQ Light HD matrix system with up to 19,216 micro-LEDs per unit being an option.
At the rear, the 2024-model-year Touareg receives a new light bar across the tailgate as well as new-look tail-light graphics. It also adopts an illuminated logo – a first on a Volkswagen model sold in Europe – in combination with the IQ Light HD headlights. Additionally, there are four new wheel designs: Coventry in 19in, Braga in 20in, Napoli in 21in and Leeds in 21in.
Inside, the facelifted Touareg adopts the previously optional Innovision Cockpit as standard. This includes 12in instrument and 15in infotainment digital displays. Upgrades to the software and functionality bring more advanced HD map data with lane-level sat-nav and a new voice-control system based around conversational commands. There’s also wireless mirroring of smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other changes center around the switchgear within the center console and the USB-C ports, which have been upgraded from a charging capacity of 15W to 45W for faster recharging of electronic devices. There’s also a new ambient lighting effect and the door trims have been subtly altered.
Volkswagen has confirmed five drivetrains for the new Touareg – all with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and a 4Motion four-wheel drive system. Included are a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine with 335bhp and two turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 engines with 227bhp and 282bhp.
Volkswagen has also updated its existing two plug-in hybrid powertrains. These combine the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine with a gearbox-mounted electric motor to provide 375bhp in the Touareg eHybrid and 455bhp in the Touareg R eHybrid, which offers acceleration from 0-62mph in 5.1sec and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Both PHEV models use a battery with an energy capacity of 14.1kWh. Volkswagen is yet to confirm their electric-only ranges.
The facelifted Volkswagen Touareg is set for UK deliveries from October, with the range-topping R eHybrid model boasting an impressive 455bhp and 516lb ft. With its sleek new design and advanced digital features, the Touareg is sure to impress drivers who are looking for a luxurious SUV that delivers both style and performance.
