Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2018 Volkswagen Touareg review – a Bentayga without the badge? - MPG and running costs

The all-new Touareg is full of engineering excellence, but it’s not in the pursuit of driver entertainment

Evo rating
  • Imperious example of German engineering, exceptional refinement, next-generation tech
  • Not much fun to drive, feels its weight on the road, knobbly ride on larger wheels

The Touareg will manage 42.8mpg on the combined cycle, which is admirable considering its size and performance. We saw an average closer to 36mpg in a combination of driving in central London and on motorways.

The Touareg is unlikely to be as cheap to run as a Golf, though, as with all of this new tech, and specifically its mechanical innovations, keeping it all running will be more akin to a luxury SUV than not. The outright size of it will also play a part, as the massive 285-section 21-inch tyres fitted to our test car will cost a bundle to replace.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Why this 300,000-mile Ford Mondeo felt more revolutionary than a Lamborghini
Ford Mondeo
Opinion

Why this 300,000-mile Ford Mondeo felt more revolutionary than a Lamborghini

With one of the development parameters being the ‘perfection feeling’, the Mondeo was always going to be something special
22 Oct 2026
Petrol v electric: Alpine's A290 faces the Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5 v Alpine A290
Group tests

Petrol v electric: Alpine's A290 faces the Mazda MX-5

Alpine’s A290 is under consideration by evo contributor Peter Tomalin as a replacement for his MX-5. A comparison is in order…
25 Oct 2026
Lamborghini Revuelto SV review – the world's best supercar made even better?
Lamborghini Revuelto SV
Reviews

Lamborghini Revuelto SV review – the world's best supercar made even better?

The 'regular' Revuelto is already a world-beater. Now it gets the SV treatment
23 Oct 2026