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

Peugeot’s new petrol engine swaps belts for chains to improve reliability
Peugeot Turbo 100
News

Peugeot’s new petrol engine swaps belts for chains to improve reliability

New engine isn’t performance-oriented but does address some reliability issues around so-called ‘wet belts’, swapping them out altogether for chains
16 Mar 2026
Four hyper hatches for two-thirds less than the new £92k Audi RS3 Competition
Used hyper hatches
News

Four hyper hatches for two-thirds less than the new £92k Audi RS3 Competition

Whatever happened to accessible hot hatchbacks? Nevermind the £92k Audi RS3 Competition, buy these instead
19 Mar 2026
Car makers are U-turning on EVs but car buyers are going to pay the price
Plug-in hybrid Lamborghini
Opinion

Car makers are U-turning on EVs but car buyers are going to pay the price

While the combustion engines we love have a stay of execution, the future won't be all sunshine and rainbows for car enthusiasts
17 Mar 2026