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

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung – AMG’s V8 is back!
Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung
News

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung – AMG’s V8 is back!

The new era of AMG V8s has arrived, with a car that’s as cool as its name is weird
10 Sep 2026
BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain
BMW i8 review
In-depth reviews

BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain

The BMW i8 was a very different sort of 911 rival, not least because it used a hybrid system with a Mini engine mounted in the middle and a carbon tub
9 Sep 2026
Audi RS5 v BMW M3: estates go head-to-head – car pictures of the week
Audi RS5 Avant and BMW M3 CS Touring
Features

Audi RS5 v BMW M3: estates go head-to-head – car pictures of the week

In this week’s car pictures we look at the highlights from our highly anticipated estate head-to-head between Audi’s RS5 Avant, and the class favourit…
12 Sep 2026