The Volkswagen Touareg has undergone a significant overhaul for 2024, with a host of upgrades that wave goodbye to the days of drab interior finishes and subpar technology. The Touareg now boasts a refreshed design and cutting-edge features.
The front of the vehicle has been redesigned with a broader, more assertive radiator grille that gives the SUV a commanding presence on the road. The updated IQ.Light HD matrix headlights now feature three LED modules and L-shaped daytime running lights. The illuminated centre strip, which extends across the grille from the Volkswagen logo, is a neat touch, enhancing both its visual appeal and road presence, particularly at night.
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Not only does the front get a facelift, but the rear has been equally reworked. A continuous horizontal LED strip runs across the back of the car, with an illuminated Volkswagen logo. These subtle design changes elevate the Touareg, making it feel distinctly modern while staying true to Volkswagen’s clean, sophisticated aesthetic.
Inside, it immediately feels more premium than its predecessor, with a spacious, high-quality cabin designed for long-distance comfort. The front seats are plush and supportive, with generous adjustment options to ensure you can dial in the perfect driving position, whether you are on a short city commute or embarking on a long road trip.
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The dashboard is dominated by a dual-screen setup that provides an easy-to-use interface for controlling the vehicle’s infotainment and climate systems. The new Innovision screen now features upgraded graphics, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay available wirelessly. CarPlay, in particular, now fills the entire screen, making it more intuitive and user-friendly, although it is a bit odd that adjusting the climate controls or seat settings temporarily blanks out the display.
Softer, more refined trims adorn the centre console, and USB-C ports have been upgraded to 45 watts for faster device charging. While some of the tech—such as the glossy black haptic steering wheel buttons—still feels a bit old-fashioned and prone to fingerprints, the overall quality and finish of the interior are top-notch.
The Touareg’s spacious cabin is well-suited for family use. Both the front and rear seats offer plenty of space for adults, with ample legroom and headroom even for taller passengers. The rear seat area is especially generous, providing enough room for long-legged adults to sit comfortably behind similarly tall front occupants. The elevated front seats free up enough toe room for passengers in the back, making it easy to stretch out during long drives.
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The boot is equally capacious, with a low lip and a flat load floor that makes it easy to load bulky items. A handy remote release system allows the rear seats to fold flat at the push of a button, expanding the cargo area even further. Additionally, the boot is equipped with an automatic luggage cover that rises as the tailgate opens, making it easier to load larger items without obstruction.
For families with young children, the Touareg offers top tether points across all three rear seats and ISOFIX anchor points on the outboard seats. The practicality and versatility of the Touareg’s interior make it a solid choice for those who need a car that can handle both everyday tasks and longer trips with ease.
Under the bonnet, the 2024 Touareg continues to offer the familiar 3,0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine that provides 190 kW at 3 250 r/min and and 600 Nm of torque from 2 250 r/min, making it more than adequate for daily driving and longer motorway journeys. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and, on the road, the Touareg is quiet and refined.
At idle, the engine is nearly silent, and there is little to no cabin vibration, making the interior feel particularly plush. Around town, the Touareg is smooth and responsive, with a light, accurate steering feel that makes it easy to manoeuvre, even in tight spaces. Thanks to the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring functions, highway driving is a breeze, with the system intelligently maintaining a gap to the car in front and keeping the vehicle comfortably within its lane.
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The ride quality is commendable, especially for a car with standard steel suspension. While it doesn’t have the floaty, almost air-suspended ride of some large SUV models, the Touareg strikes a good balance between comfort and control. The suspension smooths out most bumps and imperfections in the road without the unsettling bounce or harshness that can affect some larger SUVs. The steel suspension’s ability to absorb the majority of rough roads without feeling harsh is a notable strength.
A colleague referred to the fact Volkswagen owns Bentley in his review and that more thn a few elements of the Bentley Betayga are present in the Touareg – calling it the Bentley for the common person. I would not disagree with that.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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