Name: Volkswagen Touran (2015 – ) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen Touran
Rating: 64.0

Summary

Based on the previous-generation Volkswagen Golf, the Touran is a seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). This model is the third-generation Touran, which has been on sale since 2015.

Not much has changed for the Volkswagen Touran during its lifespan – there has been no mid-life facelift for the MPV like other models in the Volkswagen range usually receive, only the introduction of a range-topping Touran R-Line trim in early 2016.

Rivals for the Touran have gradually disappeared over time, with the likes of the Ford C-Max and Citroën C3 Picasso no longer on sale. The Touran looks set to go the same way in the not-too-distant future, with no direct replacement model on the horizon as Volkswagen switches its focus onto an entirely new range of electric cars.

The Touran has received plenty of praise from the UK media during its tenure. Heycar concludes that this compact MPV has “all the space most families could possibly wish for”, while offering more value for money than an SUV or larger seven-seat MPVs like the Ford Galaxy.

That said, many reviewers find the Volkswagen Touran works best as a spacious five-seater. With all seven seats in use, the 137-litre boot space is “barely enough space for a weekly shop”, Carwow explains.

The biggest criticism levelled at the Touran concerns its rather bland exterior styling – Top Gear asserts that the Touran has a “forgettable, taxi-driver image”.

Nevertheless, the Touran is one of the most versatile people carriers around, offering fuss-free family motoring in an affordable package that Which? concludes is “close to MPV heaven.”

As of February 2026, the Volkswagen Touran holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 64%. It has good media review scores, but most of the rest of its grades are average to poor.

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Touran highlights

Spacious interior
Easy driving experience
Impressive build quality
Good choice of engines

Touran lowlights

Third row of seats is not very practical
Minimal boot space when in seven-seater mode
Other MPVs are cheaper
No hybrid or electric models

Key specifications

Body style: Compact MPV
Engines: petrol
Price: From £32,735 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2015
Last updated: Spring 2016
Replacement due: N/A

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is roomy, practical, very well built and good to drive.”
Read review

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Subtle improvements across the board make the new Volkswagen Touran more impressive than ever.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Touran’s generous space alone is enough to make this one of the very best mid-size SUVs.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“If you need the versatility of a seven-seat MPV, but find a larger model like the Sharan or Galaxy simply too massive or expensive, the Touran is an excellent compromise.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is a spacious MPV with seven seats and a wide range of engines.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Carwow

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is a practical family car that has lots of space, seven seats and a huge array of storage areas, but it’s not exactly eye-catching.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed:
“The Touran is a well-engineered and refined compact MPV which achieves fuel economy that would have been beyond superminis a few years ago.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“You can’t knock the Volkswagen Touran. It drives like a Golf but offers all the space most families could possibly wish for. It’s better value for money than an SUV while its interior outshines most rivals this side of a BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran is hugely practical.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The seven-seat Volkswagen Touran is worth considering if you’re after fuss-free family motoring.”
Read review

Motors

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran has sophisticated looks and is very practical.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The VW Touran is a capable family people-carrier seats seven at a push.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Touran takes the stress out of family motoring.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2015
Score: 9 / 10
“Families can’t go too far wrong with the latest Touran, which is among the most versatile cars in its class.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Better than the car it replaces, but not interesting, exciting or memorable.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 77%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 62%
Safety assist: 66%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2026, the Volkswagen Touran has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 150
Average repair cost: £458.09
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Volkswagen Touran has an average reliability score of 62% as of April 2025 (our most recent data point), according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partner MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation Touran and the previous (pre-2015) models.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	43 mpg	C
Diesel models	50 mpg	C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	152 g/km	C
Diesel models	147 g/km	C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	18	A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£162	A
Year 2	£470	B
Year 3	£772	B
Year 4	£1,023	B
Year 5	£1,367	B
Overall	£3,794	B

The Volkswagen Touran has a pretty good set of running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption isn’t amazing – the petrol versions are pretty middling, although the diesel versions (no longer available to buy new) are better. Road tax should be good, based on the decent CO₂ scores.

Servicing and insurance costs are excellent, which will help ensure that the Touran remains affordable for at least the first five years of ownership.