VW's mid-sized, seven-seat MPV should be brilliant, but isn't... Why?
Volkswagen is a much loved brand in Ireland and unlike most of Europe is seen here as a vehicle maker for the middle class. The first Touran wanted to take top spot for the school run but was just that bit too expensive. The latest Touran has been given a makeover and greener new engines and technologies to tempt cost conscious buyers into the 'People's Car'.
Touran's exterior features a front end that could be straight from a Golf - or any of the current range - with its prominent VW badge and grille plus smarter-looking head and tail lights. There is a smart and elegant simplicity to the Touran's contours that will please conservative buyers.
Inside, the cabin is spacious for a mid-size seven-seater. Access to the rear two seats is good for kids (but best avoided by adults). The middle outer seats slide up neatly, but unlike its larger sibling the Sharan - and rivals Grand C-Max and Mazda 5 - there are no sliding side doors on offer. Materials used and build quality are class-leading, but the cabin feels a little dull compared to a Ford C-Max or Peugeot 5008.
The driving position has always been too van-like for my liking and nothing has changed here. The front seats encourage you to sit forward in the cabin with your feet almost on top of the pedals. This is fine in a van, where you need to free up as much space behind the driver's seat as possible, but most MPV drivers are used to cars and want a seat that is less kitchen chair and more armchair. The high seating position in the Touran continues to be commanding, but I much prefer the seating position in the larger Sharan.
As with the original Touran, I recommend the DSG automatic gearbox option as it makes life behind the wheel much more enjoyable. There is no penalty at the fuel pumps or in terms of performance - it is a costly option, however.
My 'Comfortline' test car (€27,495) is powered by a 1.6-litre TDi and falls into tax band 'B' with CO2 emissions of 121g/km - so annual road tax is just €156. With 16-inch Sedona alloys wheels, an up-specced stereo with a six-CD changer and floor mats as optional extras (€1,130), my Touran comes in at €32,125. This is a relatively high price for a mid-sized MPV that doesn't have Bluetooth phone connectivity as standard.
On the road, the 1.6-litre diesel does a good job of shifting the Touran along. The ride is comfortable and there is a predictable amount of body roll when cornering. The Touran feels far from dynamic, but this is hardly a priority for most family buses.
Touran does an adequate job in a reasonably smart shell. It remains the 'poshest' (in most people's perception) mid-sized MPV out there, but for me Ford's Grand C-Max, Mazda's 5 and Peugeot's 5008 to name just three rivals deliver more.
Michael Sheridan
