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

New BMW 3-series revealed – M3 power for the M350 Audi S5 rival
BMW 3-series M350
News

New BMW 3-series revealed – M3 power for the M350 Audi S5 rival

On top of being as fast and powerful as an F80 M3, the new M350 will come with a drift mode too
29 Sep 2026
First new BMW Alpina model to launch in 2027, inspired by the 7-series
BMW Alpina model
News

First new BMW Alpina model to launch in 2027, inspired by the 7-series

A new Alpina model ‘inspired by the BMW 7-series’ is set to arrive next year. Here’s what we know
1 Oct 2026
This 900bhp Lotus Emeya has Bugatti specs, but carrying passengers reveals a problem
Lotus Emeya
Opinion

This 900bhp Lotus Emeya has Bugatti specs, but carrying passengers reveals a problem

A well-engineered electric performance car can be an impressive thing to drive but carrying passengers is very different from a petrol-powered equival…
2 Oct 2026