Love has a funny way of sneaking up on you. Sometimes it arrives with a bang; other times, it slips in quietly, without asking for permission. For me, love isn’t about grand gestures anyway. It’s often something as simple as spotting a familiar car on the road and feeling something stir inside. Cars, after all, carry stories. Sometimes, even a passing shape can pull you back into another time.
In the same vein, some cars make you fall in love with their commanding road presence and loud performance. And then there are others that quietly whisk you a thousand miles away without you even realizing it. There’s a Volkswagen SUV that does exactly that. And here’s an uncomfortable truth: it feels even more luxurious than a BMW X5. That car is the Volkswagen Touareg.
UPDATE: 2026/01/13
We have updated the article to include more details about the Touareg.
The 2026 Volkswagen Touareg Offers Luxury Where You Least Expect It
When people talk about luxury, Volkswagen rarely comes up. That space is usually reserved for the German “big three,” with BMW often positioned as the benchmark for premium performance and curb appeal. And to be fair, BMW has earned that reputation over decades. But luxury has changed now. The world is moving away from flashy luxury to a more understated, nuanced thing, which is more about comfort, calmness, and how a car makes you feel after hours behind the wheel. That’s where the Touareg rewrites expectations.
Pricing Reality Of The Volkswagen Touareg If It Was Sold In The U.S.
If the Touareg was sold in the U.S. today, its equivalent pricing would likely land in the $65,000 to $70,000 range, depending on specification. That places it directly against BMW X5 trims that often feel more focused on performance branding than a genuine luxury experience. And that’s the uncomfortable part. In daily use, the Touareg feels more relaxed, more cohesive, and more mature than many BMW SUVs in the same bracket. That’s also what makes the Touareg feel like the more sensible option against the X5; it may not be as flashy as the Bimmer, but it ticks the right boxes arguably better than it.
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Volkswagen’s Flagship SUV Is All About Understated Confidence
The Touareg has always existed slightly outside the spotlight. It’s Volkswagen’s flagship SUV, but it doesn’t shout about it. Instead of going for an aggressive design language that looks sporty, the Touareg carries itself with confidence and restraint. In R-Line trim, the design is sharpened just enough without losing that restraint. Subtle sports accents, large alloy wheels, and clean lines give it presence without drama. It looks expensive without trying too hard, which is something many luxury SUVs struggle with today. Step inside, and the atmosphere immediately changes pace.
“It’s a pity the third-generation Touareg was never sold in the U.S., because it had a lot going for it. The four- and six-cylinder turbocharged gas engines are good, and the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 diesel (the same unit used in the Bentley Bentayga for one model year) was stunning, but the pick of the bunch was the same 3.0 V-6 TDI the Touareg was available with during its final years in the U.S. All of the torque was available from just 2,250 rpm, and it could sprint to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds. And not only was it GTI quick, but it used less diesel in the process.
The best thing about it is the handling and comfort. It’s not quite as sporty as a Cayenne, but it gives you enough confidence to have fun with it. It’s not as comfortable as the Bentayga, but it’s easily on par with the Audi Q8.”
– Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor, CarBuzz
A Luxurious Cabin That Knows When To Breathe
The Touareg’s interior is where the luxury argument really starts taking shape. There’s a sense of calm the moment you get in. The materials used throughout feel thoughtful, the layout makes sense, and nothing is trying to impress you unnecessarily. The digital cockpit combines a 12-inch driver display with a large central touchscreen, but unlike many modern interiors, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Don’t get me wrong, I still prefer physical buttons. Touchscreens can be distracting, but here, everything feels measured. The seats deserve special mention, too. In higher trims, they’re leather-wrapped, heated, ventilated, and massaging, which makes long drives feel shorter. Drive it for a long time, and you still shouldn’t feel too fatigued. This is comfort done properly, and that’s where this Volkswagen SUV starts to feel more luxurious than some of its Bimmer rivals.
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BMW builds exceptional vehicles. There’s no argument there. But in recent years, many BMW interiors, especially in mid-range SUVs, have leaned heavily into sharp visuals and digital dominance. Gloss-black surfaces, layered menus, and aggressive design cues look impressive, but they can feel tiring over time. The Touareg goes the opposite direction. Unlike Bimmers, it prioritizes serenity. Even the road noise is muted, and wind noise is barely there. The cabin feels insulated from the outside world in a way that reminds you what luxury used to mean. And that matters more than people think.
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The Touareg Prioritizes Ride Quality Over Road Ego
When Volkswagen sent over the Touareg for a weekend escape, I did what any car lover would do: I lived with it. Mini road trips, long stretches of highway, and moments of quiet reflection. The kind of driving where a car stops being a machine and starts becoming a companion. The Touareg arrived with an estimated driving range of just under 600 miles, thanks to its efficient turbo-diesel powertrain. And that alone tells you something about its purpose. This isn’t a car designed to show off. It’s built to take you far and in comfort.
Plenty Of Smooth Torque From The Turbo-Diesel V-6
|
Power |
Torque |
0 to 60 MPH |
Top Speed |
Fuel Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
255 HP |
443 LB-FT |
6.5 seconds |
155 MPH |
23 – 26 MPG |
While the Touareg is no longer sold in the U.S. market, global versions, including the one tested here, still offer a turbo-diesel V-6 that perfectly suits the car’s character. The 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel produces approximately 255 horsepower and a muscular 443 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. Acceleration is effortless rather than dramatic. Zero to 60 miles per hour takes around 6.5 seconds, and highway passing requires little more than a gentle press of the throttle. Fuel efficiency translates to roughly 23 to 26 miles per gallon combined in U.S. terms, which is impressive for a vehicle of this size and capability.
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On the road, the Touareg feels composed and mature. The available air suspension adapts effortlessly, lowering itself at highway speeds for efficiency and raising ground clearance when needed. It absorbs poor road surfaces without fuss, simply gliding over without transmitting unnecessary information through the seat or steering wheel, either. The driving experience feels torque-rich and relaxed, the kind that makes driving feel easy, not urgent. The visibility is excellent, and tight parking is made easier with rear-wheel steering. Unlike many BMW SUVs that prioritize firmness and sharpness, the Touareg focuses on smoothness.
The SUV’s all-wheel-drive system, off-road modes, hill-descent control, and all-wheel steering give it genuine capability beyond pavement, too. In off-road settings, the ground clearance can reach over 10 inches, which is impressive for a luxury SUV. So, unlike many SUVs in its class, this one isn’t pretending to be rugged; it actually is. And yet, it never feels out of place in the city. This duality of comfort and capability is something BMW often charges a premium for, and that’s not the case with the Touareg. So, whether you want it for everyday commuting, road trips, or weekend adventures, expect the Touareg to do those things with more luxury finesse than sharp sportiness.
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Quiet Luxury Still Exists, But Not For Long
In today’s world, there’s a growing appreciation for “quiet luxury,” products that don’t rely on logos or aggression to prove their worth. The Touareg fits that philosophy perfectly. It doesn’t need oversized grilles or dramatic lines, nor does it command attention on the road like its fancier rivals. It simply focuses on delivering an experience that feels complete. That’s the kind of luxury you may not notice from the outside, but when the road stretches on, that luxury should keep stress at bay.
Some say cars are nothing more than tools. But for those who live for the journey, cars like the Touareg become something else entirely. They’re companions, storytellers, and sometimes even healers. The Touareg shares DNA with vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7, and you can feel that depth in the way it drives. My only real gripe remains the touchscreen-heavy interface, but that’s a small flaw in an otherwise deeply satisfying package.
The idea that a Volkswagen could feel more luxurious than a BMW will upset traditionalists. But luxury isn’t about badges anymore, and the Volkswagen Touareg fits the lifestyle of those who believe in understated luxury. The Touareg doesn’t shout or posture for attention; it understands the assignment: refinement, comfort, and calm still matter. And sometimes, the most luxurious car in the room is the one that doesn’t need to tell you it is.
Volkswagen Is Pulling The Plug On The Touareg After 24 Years
But that understanding isn’t enough to save the Tuareg. This SUV hasn’t been sold in the U.S. since 2017, but still, the SUV continues to nurture a community of dedicated enthusiasts that celebrate it for its understated luxury around the world. Over its three-generation run, Volkswagen moved 1.2 million Touaregs. However, that legendary run is now coming to an end in 2026, with Volkswagen finally pulling the plug on the Touareg after 24 years on the road. It closes this chapter with the special Final Edition, which is available to order in March.
It’s honestly not hard to see why Volkswagen had to pull the plug on the Touareg; it has the Atlas now. Still, the significance of Touareg for both Volkswagen and the car culture cannot be understated. It was Volkswagen’s first SUV, yes, but it also set the stage for the likes of Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga and played a major role in the rise of the luxury crossovers we know today. That’s the story of Touareg.
We may never get anything quite like the Touareg again, a turbo-diesel bruiser that inspired an entirely new segment of cars while refusing to show off about it. And until its last model year, this Volkswagen SUV continued winning hearts across the world, including mine. And maybe the next time I spot a Touareg on the road, it’ll pull me back to this very weekend when it whisked me away with its quiet confidence and unassuming luxury.
Sources: Volkswagen, BMW, The EPA