2024 Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI review

The Volkswagen Touareg has been revamped and repositioned, with the entry-level 170TDI model now offering a claimed $10,000 of extra spec for a lower price than the outgoing version.

It still comes with a V6 diesel engine, all-wheel drive and 3.5-tonne towing, but as with the previous take, it remains a five-seater, and that means some of its rivals may make better sense for family-car buyers.

Unless, of course, you are one of those people who bought a seven-seater only to realise that the third row could have just been a big boot…

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JUMP AHEAD

• Pricing and features
• Comfort and convenience
• Powertrain
• Driving
• What are the best rivals?
• Should I put it on my shortlist?
• Specifications

Pricing and features

The updated Touareg 170TDI lists at $86,790 plus on-roads, nearly $2500 less than the last version, but with the aforementioned $10K spec bump that includes a heap of new items.

Highlights include LED matrix HD headlights with adaptive beam tech, 19-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate, keyless entry and push-button start, leather interior trim, heated front seats with electric adjustment, a 12.0-inch digital driver info screen, and the 15.0-inch Innovision touchscreen - previously optional - is now standard, with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as sat nav, and it’s the display for the standard surround-view camera system.

Other standard safety tech includes front and rear parking sensors, semi-autonomous parking, dynamic road sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking, and the brand has also added Manoeuvre Braking for obstacle and pedestrian protection while parking.

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There are other V6 models above this one, both with the punchier 210kW/600Nm tune.

The 210TDI Elegance is $99,990 plus on-roads and adds larger 20-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, different leather interior trim, and cooled front seats with massage function.

Up from there is the 210TDI R-Line at $109,990 plus on-roads, and it gains a specific R-Line exterior and interior design, 21-inch wheels, black leather interior trim, tinted rear glass, rear-wheel steering and electromechanical anti-roll stabilisation, a heated sports steering wheel, an alarm, and black headliner.

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Comfort and convenience

The base grade feels like a luxury SUV inside, with an understated and somewhat minimalist vibe.

The big touchscreen media system certainly takes pride of place in the dash, but sadly there are no buttons to control elements on the screen. There’s a ‘bar’ at the bottom for climate control which takes some learning, and that’s a common theme with the infotainment software. At least the Apple CarPlay display now goes full screen.

While some may prefer a metallic finish across the dash, the “open cell fine grain ash” wood trim is a lovely touch, and it runs across the dash and onto the doors, where there’s also an ambient light strip to brighten things up.

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The leather-trimmed, heated and electrically adjustable front seats are super comfy for longer drives, and the back seat offers comfortable accommodation too.

There’s ample room in the rear for a taller adult to sit with space to spare, but three with big feet might be an issue as there’s a transmission tunnel eating into foot space.

And while there are directional vents and USB-C ports in the back, the base car misses out on the handy B-pillar vents for better air circulation.

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Powertrain

No changes to the powertrain compared with the preceding model, meaning the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 carries on, and with 170kW and 500Nm, it’s quite a unit. There’s a standard eight-speed auto and 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Maximum towing capacity is 750kg for an unbraked trailer and 3500kg for a braked trailer, but the towing downball weight is capped at 280kg - so do your maths.

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Driving

What a lovely thing to drive in the countryside.

That’s what I found myself thinking after a few hundred kays behind the wheel of the 170TDI at the launch, with a mix of roads a few hours out of Melbourne showcasing the breadth of capability of this diesel family SUV.

The V6 is one of the most refined I’ve driven, with a barely audible note to it, and hardly any rumble whatsoever.

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Yet it is urgent in its response, feels easily up to the task when touring or overtaking, and is also mostly very agreeable in stop-start situations, though I did have a couple of laggy moments at times, with the eight-speed auto seemingly getting caught out a little.

What is most enticing about it, though, is the way it handles itself on less-than-perfect bush roads, with a level of body control and predictability that makes it almost innate in its movements. It really shrinks around you.

The steering is accurate and well judged, and while the steel-sprung suspension can feel a little sharp in town, it soaks up the bumps at pace really nicely.

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What are the best rivals?

Equivalent diesel V6 models from mainstream brands? Well, there’s the award-winning Ford Everest, which in Platinum 4WD spec is $81,115 and has seven seats, equivalent towing, and a dollop more power (184kW/600Nm).

A luxury-branded alternative with a six-pot diesel for this much…? You might need to buy used.

Otherwise, if five seats could suffice, there’s another VW that might do the trick - the Amarok!

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

If you want a luxurious large SUV and don’t want to spend more than a hundred grand, you bet. It should be at the very top of your list.

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