Verdict
B
SUV Large · Germany · 2002-Present
VW Touareg
VW Touareg — spec data and generation history.
Years
2002-Present
Generations
3
Segment
SUV Large
VW's Cayenne-platform large SUV — three generations on the UK market, all permanent AWD with proper low-range on Mk1/Mk2 and a centre-locking diff still on Mk3. Mk1 (7L, 2002–2010) shared platform with Cayenne and Q7, infamous for the 5.0 V10 TDI / 313 bhp (and the 6.0 W12 oddity); Mk2 (7P, 2010–2018) on PL72 dropped the V10 but kept the 4.2 V8 TDI (340 bhp); Mk3 (CR, 2018–Present) on MLB Evo with the Audi Q7 / Bentley Bentayga and the 422 bhp 4.0 V8 TDI as the flagship until Euro emissions rules killed it 2020. Honest verdict: a Cayenne for VW money is the appeal — Mk2 V6 TDI is the smart used buy.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Mk1 2002-2010 → Mk2 2010-2018
BHP +1 bhp
Torque +50 Nm
0–60 mph −0.6 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +8 mpg
Mk2 2010-2018 → Mk3 2018-Present
BHP +25 bhp
Torque +50 Nm
0–60 mph −0.4 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2002-2010
Mk1
→
5.0 V10 TDI — 309 bhp, 0-62 in 7.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
309
0–60
7.6 s
Top
140 mph
MPG
24.0 mpg
Used
£3,500-£14,000
- + Genuine off-road ability — locking diffs / low range
- + 5.0 V10 TDI cult engine
- − Air suspension repair bills heroic
- − V10 TDI maintenance specialist work
2010-2018
Mk2
→
4.2 V8 TDI — 335 bhp, 0-62 in 5.8s.
Verdict
B
BHP
335
0–60
5.8 s
Top
150 mph
MPG
32.0 mpg
Used
£10,000-£25,000
- + Lighter than Mk1 — 200 kg saved
- + Hybrid (3.0 TSI petrol-hybrid) cult
- − No more low range — Torsen centre diff only
- − Air suspension failures
2018-Present
Mk3
→
4.0 V8 TDI R — 416 bhp, 0-62 in 4.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
416
0–60
4.9 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
30.0 mpg
Used
£32,000-£75,000
- + MLB Evo — Q7 / Bentayga platform
- + 15-inch Innovision cabin still impressive
- − V8 TDI killed by Euro 6d
- − No 7-seat option in UK
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2002-2010 · Mk1 (7L)
- Air suspension compressor and bag failures
- V10 TDI injector and EGR cooler costs
- Driveshaft propshaft centre bearing
- Climate control servo motors
2010-2018 · Mk2 (7P)
- Air suspension failures
- V8 TDI EGR cooler
- 8-speed ZF auto solenoid faults
- MMI infotainment failures
2018-Present · Mk3 (CR)
- Air suspension compressor failures
- Adaptive damper sensor faults
- Innovision Cockpit lock-ups
- 12V battery drain