Volkswagen Touran

Which Volkswagen Touran Version Should You Buy?

The Volkswagen Touran is a front-wheel-drive Compact Van offered across the supplied catalogue data from 2003 onward. The best version depends on whether the priority is fuel consumption, performance or a simpler powertrain.

The Volkswagen Touran is a front-wheel-drive Compact Van offered across the supplied catalogue data from 2003 onward. The best version depends on whether the priority is fuel consumption, performance or a simpler powertrain. Among the listed third-generation models, the 1.6 DSG diesel with 110 hp has the lowest combined consumption at 4.4 l/100 km, while the 1.8 DSG Gasoline version is the quickest at 8.3 seconds from 0–100 km/h and the fastest at 218 km/h. Buyers considering older cars gain a wider choice of engines and, in the first generation, an Automatic option, but the data also show higher consumption for many comparable earlier versions.

Volkswagen Touran generations: what changed?

The first generation ran from 2003 to 2007 as a Compact Van and comprised 15 versions. Its listed engines include naturally aspirated Gasoline units and turbocharged Diesel units, with Manual, Automatic and Robotic gearboxes. The supplied examples range from the 90 hp 1.9 MT diesel to the 170 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 DSG diesels.

The first-generation restyling ran from 2006 to 2011 and belongs within the first generation rather than forming a separate generation. It remained a Compact Van but expanded the range to 26 versions. The listed selection adds turbocharged 1.4 Gasoline engines alongside the 1.6 MT Gasoline model and 1.9- and 2.0-litre Diesel choices. Power in the supplied versions spans 102–170 hp.

The second generation ran from 2010 to 2015. It was again a Compact Van, with 19 versions. The supplied entries combine turbocharged Gasoline and Diesel engines with 6-speed Manual or 6- and 7-speed Robotic gearboxes. Listed outputs range from 105 hp for the 1.2 MT to 177 hp for a 2.0 DSG.

The third generation began in 2015 and has no stop date in the data. This Compact Van has 18 versions, of which 12 are detailed here. Its listed engines span 999–1968 cc and 110–180 hp. Every supplied version is turbocharged and FWD, with either a 6-speed Manual or 7-speed Robotic gearbox. Compared with the 60-litre tanks of the older generations, all listed third-generation versions use a 58-litre tank.

Volkswagen Touran engine and specs comparison

Repeated names identify separate database versions when their outputs differ. For example, the third-generation 1.6 MT appears with 110 hp and 115 hp, while the second-generation 2.0 DSG appears with 110, 140, 170 and 177 hp.

Volkswagen Touran performance and mpg

For maximum performance in the third generation, the 1.8 DSG is the clear choice: 180 hp, 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h and 218 km/h. It provides 30 hp more than every listed 150 hp third-generation version, although all three engine sizes produce the same 250 Nm. Its combined consumption is 6.2 l/100 km, which is 0.7 l/100 km higher than the 1.5 DSG.

Among the 150 hp Gasoline versions, the 1.4 DSG and 1.5 DSG both reach 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and 209 km/h. Both return 5.5 l/100 km combined. The 1.4 MT is equally fast to 100 km/h at 8.9 seconds but consumes 5.8 l/100 km combined. The 1.5 MT takes 9.3 seconds and consumes 6.0 l/100 km combined. On these figures, the 1.5 DSG is the strongest all-round choice among the 150 hp entries.

The economy leader is the third-generation 1.6 DSG diesel with 110 hp: 4.4 l/100 km combined, 4.7 in the city and 4.1 on the highway. Its 0–100 km/h time is 11.9 seconds and top speed is 187 km/h. Choosing the 115 hp 1.6 DSG cuts acceleration to 11.4 seconds and raises top speed to 190 km/h, while combined consumption increases by 0.1 l/100 km.

The third-generation 2.0 MT diesel produces 320 Nm, 70 Nm more than any listed 1.6 diesel, but its 11.5-second acceleration is 0.1 second slower than the 115 hp 1.6 MT. Combined consumption is 4.6 l/100 km versus 4.5 l/100 km. It therefore makes the most numerical sense when torque matters more than acceleration.

Second-generation performance peaks with the 177 hp 2.0 DSG: 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h, 208 km/h and 5.9 l/100 km combined. The 170 hp 2.0 DSG is 0.1 second slower and 1 km/h slower with the same combined consumption. Its 350 Nm is also 30 Nm below the 177 hp version’s 380 Nm. The second-generation 170 hp 1.4 DSG reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and up to 213 km/h, depending on the listed entry, but its combined consumption is listed as either 7.6 or 6.6 l/100 km.

In the original first generation, fuel-consumption figures for several 1.6 and 1.9 versions are not measured. Where figures are available, the 170 hp 2.0 MT diesel records 6.6 l/100 km combined, while the equivalent 2.0 DSG records 6.9. Both reach 100 km/h in about 9 seconds, at 9.0 and 9.1 seconds respectively.

Volkswagen Touran dimensions, weight and wheels

Exterior dimensions and trunk space are not measured in the supplied data. Seating capacity, including whether a particular Volkswagen Touran is a 7 seater or uses a 5+2 arrangement, is also not measured. The available comparison covers weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity and wheels.

Third-generation kerb weight ranges from 1436 kg for the 1.2 MT to 1585 kg for the 2.0 MT. Gross weight ranges from 2050 kg to 2180 kg. All listed versions have 156 mm of ground clearance, a 58-litre tank and wheel choices of 205/60 R16 or 205/55 R17. The 1.4 MT has the best weight-to-power figure among the supplied third-generation versions at about 9.7 kg per hp, narrowly ahead of the 1.8 DSG at about 8.6 kg per hp; the lower figure favours the 1.8 DSG.

Second-generation kerb weights in the supplied entries range from 1453 kg to 1633 kg, while gross weights range from 2080 kg to 2200 kg. Ground clearance varies between 120 and 150 mm. Every listed version has a 60-litre tank. Wheel sizes are not measured for some versions; where supplied, they include 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/50 R17 and 235/45 R17.

For the first-generation restyling, kerb weight ranges from 1423 kg to 1610 kg and measured gross weight from 2090 kg to 2230 kg; gross weight for the 170 hp 2.0 DSG is not measured. Ground clearance ranges from 120 to 131 mm, and all listed versions have a 60-litre tank. Wheel sizes are either not measured or listed as 215/50 R17 and 235/45 R17.

Original first-generation kerb weights range from 1450 kg to 1580 kg. Gross weights range from 2090 kg to 2250 kg, clearance from 121 to 131 mm, and every listed version has a 60-litre tank. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Which Volkswagen Touran version should you choose?

Choose the third-generation 1.6 DSG diesel with 110 hp for the lowest measured combined consumption. Its 4.4 l/100 km result is 1.1 l/100 km below the 1.0 MT and 1.5 DSG Gasoline versions, both at 5.5 l/100 km.

Choose the third-generation 1.5 DSG for the strongest balance of Gasoline performance and economy. It matches the 1.4 DSG’s 150 hp, 250 Nm, 8.9-second acceleration, 209 km/h top speed and 5.5 l/100 km combined consumption. Its power density is about 100 hp per litre, compared with about 108 hp per litre for the 1.4 DSG, so the 1.4 DSG extracts more power from each litre of displacement even though their road figures match.

Choose the third-generation 1.8 DSG when speed matters most. It has the catalogue’s best third-generation acceleration and top-speed figures, and its 180 hp gives it about 100 hp per litre. Its trade-off is consumption: 6.2 l/100 km combined, 0.7 above the 1.5 DSG.

Choose the third-generation 2.0 MT diesel when the deciding figure is torque. Its 320 Nm exceeds the listed third-generation Gasoline and 1.6 Diesel alternatives by 70 Nm. If that extra torque is unnecessary, the 115 hp 1.6 MT is 46 kg lighter, 0.1 second quicker to 100 km/h and 0.1 l/100 km more economical.

Among second-generation cars, the 177 hp 2.0 DSG is the strongest Diesel choice on the available numbers. It combines 380 Nm with 8.8-second acceleration and 5.9 l/100 km combined consumption. The 170 hp 1.4 DSG is quicker at 8.5 seconds, but its measured combined consumption is higher.

For a first-generation car with a conventional Automatic gearbox, only the listed 1.6 AT provides that transmission: 115 hp, 155 Nm and a 12.0-second 0–100 km/h time. Its fuel consumption is not measured. Buyers comparing early Tourans should therefore avoid assuming an mpg advantage that the supplied figures do not establish.

Price, engine oil capacity, engine number location, engine replacement price, engine-light diagnosis, reliability, interior specification and trunk space are not measured in the data. Those factors cannot be used here to rank versions. On the available evidence alone, the third-generation 1.6 DSG with 110 hp is the economy choice, the 1.5 DSG is the balanced Gasoline choice, the 1.8 DSG is the performance choice, and the 2.0 MT diesel is the torque choice.