Volkswagen Touran
Used Car Review

Overview

Thinking about a seven seater that doesn’t drive like a bus? The Volkswagen Touran might be exactly what your family needs. This practical MPV combines genuine seven seat versatility with car-like handling, offering families the space they need without the bulk of a larger SUV. It’s the car for people who prioritise practicality but still want something that feels refined and well built.

From the outside, the Touran looks purposeful rather than exciting. Its clean, understated design won’t turn heads like some SUVs might, but it has a quality feel that’s unmistakably Volkswagen. Where it really impresses is inside, where clever packaging creates genuinely useful space for seven people and their luggage. The interior feels solid and thoughtfully designed, with storage solutions that actually work in real family life.

Driving the Touran feels more like a tall estate car than a traditional MPV. The engines are smooth and economical, making it easy on both your wallet and your daily commute. It handles predictably and comfortably, never feeling unwieldy despite its size. While it may not have the fashionable appeal of seven seat SUVs, it offers better space utilisation and fuel economy. The Touran proves that sometimes the sensible choice is also the smart choice.

What's the Volkswagen Touran Like to Drive?

The Volkswagen Touran is engineered for effortless family motoring rather than sporty thrills. The petrol engine range includes efficient 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI units, while diesel options feature the popular 2.0 TDI. The 1.5 TSI with 150 horsepower provides the best balance of performance and economy, offering smooth acceleration and comfortable cruising. Even the smaller 1.0 TSI feels adequate for most family duties, though you’ll notice the difference when fully loaded.

Where the Touran excels is in its composed, predictable driving experience. The steering is light at parking speeds but weights up nicely on faster roads. The suspension does an excellent job of smoothing out road imperfections while keeping body roll in check. This makes it feel secure and stable whether you’re navigating city streets or cruising on the motorway. It’s designed to be stress free and confidence inspiring, exactly what busy families need from their MPV.

How Comfortable Is the Volkswagen Touran?

Step inside and you’ll immediately appreciate the Touran’s thoughtful interior design. The dashboard is clean and logical, with physical buttons for key functions alongside a central touchscreen. Material quality is excellent throughout, with soft touch plastics and solid construction that feels built to withstand family life. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment to find your ideal driving position.

The real star is the seating flexibility. All seven seats are proper individual chairs, not bench seats, and the rear five can be folded, removed, or reconfigured as needed. The second row slides and tilts, making access to the third row surprisingly easy. Even with all seven seats in place, there’s still some boot space available. Road noise is well controlled, creating a calm environment for passengers, while features like three zone climate control help keep everyone comfortable.

The Volkswagen Touran succeeds brilliantly at being exactly what it set out to be: a supremely practical family car. Its flexible seating arrangements, generous space, and car-like driving experience make it ideal for busy families who need genuine seven seat capability. The interior quality and build standards are excellent, creating an environment that feels premium rather than utilitarian.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Volkswagen Touran Expensive to Run?

As a practical family car, the Touran delivers sensible running costs that won’t break the budget. The diesel engines are particularly impressive, with the 2.0 TDI achieving up to 67 mpg in real world driving. Even the petrol engines return respectable figures, with the 1.5 TSI managing around 45 mpg in mixed use. Insurance groups are reasonable for the class, typically ranging from group 15 to 25 depending on the engine.

The initial purchase price reflects the Touran’s quality construction and generous equipment levels. While it costs more than some competitors, the superior build quality and strong resale values help justify the premium. Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability has improved in recent years, though servicing at main dealers can be costly. Independent specialists offer more affordable maintenance options. With flexible car finance packages available, the monthly costs can be spread to suit most family budgets.

Volkswagen Touran Practicality & Boot Space

The Touran’s practicality is its greatest strength and the main reason families choose it. The seven individual seats can be configured in numerous ways to suit your needs. Need maximum cargo space? Fold all five rear seats flat and you get a cavernous 1,857 litres of space. Carrying five people with luggage? Remove the third row completely and enjoy a massive boot. The second row slides forward and back, and the seats tilt to make third row access surprisingly easy.

Storage throughout the cabin is excellent, with door pockets, cup holders, and compartments exactly where you need them. The boot floor is low and flat, making loading heavy items much easier than in a high riding SUV. For families with young children, the Touran is hard to beat for sheer versatility. It’s this focus on real world usability that sets it apart from other used Volkswagen cars and makes it such a sensible family choice.

The Volkswagen Touran stands out as one of the most practical and well executed seven seaters available. It combines genuine space for seven adults with excellent build quality and composed driving manners. The flexible seating system is genuinely innovative, making it easy to adapt the car to whatever your family needs on any given day.

While it may lack the visual appeal of fashionable SUVs, the Touran more than compensates with superior space efficiency and fuel economy. It’s perfectly suited for families who need maximum practicality without compromising on quality or refinement. If you’re looking for a seven seater that actually works for seven people, the Touran should be your first choice, offering excellent value among cars under £10,000 in the used market.