VW’s flagship SUV continues to impress in many ways and despite the that the current generation has been around since 2018, it still feels fresh and competitive. That’s the main reason why we don’t expect to see bigger changes for the next year. The 2023 VW Touareg should be a typical carryover model, which could bring no more than minor updates. The overall layout will certainly remain the same.
So, you may count on familiar design characteristics and features. This SUV has so many great things to offer, starting from a comfortable and smooth ride, spacious and well-designed cabin and lots of standard equipment. There is also a pretty broad range of powertrain options. On the other hand, one of the main drawbacks is the lack of a third row of seats.
Since there are no significant changes to come, we presume that the 2023 VW Touareg won’t arrive before the last quarter of the year.
2023 VW Touareg Design
The 2023 VW Touareg should be a typical carryover model. Therefore, we expect to see a familiar design, which was introduced in 2018. The styling hasn’t changed since then but it doesn’t feel at all, mainly thanks to the company’s conservative approach.
The same thing is with mechanics. This mid-size SUV is based on a familiar MLB platform, which underpins a long list of VAG vehicles. In this particular case, most parts are shared with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. However, the Touareg feels a little bit different. It’s nowhere near Cayenne’s athleticism, while it doesn’t feel as composed as the Q7 either. Instead, its air suspension is trimmed in such a way as to ensure a super smooth and comfortable ride. So, even though there is a bit of body lean in corners, we don’t mind it.
Interior
On the inside, the current generation looks very conservative and very elegant. The classic design ensures that the dashboard looks fresh, even though it was introduced four years ago. The whole cabin is built from high-quality materials, while most surfaces are also soft to the touch. The overall quality is pretty much on par with the more expensive Q7.
As we already mentioned, the air suspension provides a super-smooth ride, which is complemented by very comfortable seats. The front row is massive and supportive, with tons of space. The second row isn’t much different – it accommodates three adults with ease and offers high-level comfort. Unfortunately, you can’t get a version with three rows of seats.
The cargo area is also a strong point of this SUV, as you may count on nearly 800 liters behind the second row.
Features
The cabin is also equipped fairly well. Base models already come with a pretty massive infotainment screen, while the real highlight is the 15-inch unit available in higher grades. Of course, there are many more amazing features, starting from genuine leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, heated steering wheel and seats, which all come standard.
The list of standard features also includes lots of safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. You can also opt for upgrades like parking sensors, park assist, surround-view camera and many more.
2023 VW Touareg Engines
Under the hood, the 2023 VW Touareg will continue in the same way. This SUV offers a little bit of everything. You can get a good-old 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, which puts out around 231 horsepower and plenty of torque. If you are a petrolhead, you can get a pretty capable but also pretty thirsty 3.0-liter V6, which puts out around 340 horsepower.
Finally, there is the plug-in hybrid powertrain, reserved for the Touareg R. That system is based on the same V6 petrol engine, which gets help from a 136-hp electric motor, so the combined output goes up to 462 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. Also, this system includes a 14.1-kWh battery pack, which ensures around 35 kilometers of all-electric range.
2023 VW Touareg Release Date and Price
We expect to see the 2023 VW Touareg sometime late in the year. Base models should go around £55,300 in the UK, while the Australian version is currently available at around AU$90.000.