Comments:
The Touran is an unassuming car - in fact, WhatCar? found it to be positively boring and unimaginative in terms of appearance - but still went on to vote it the best compact MPV of 2004: WhatCar? review of Volkswagen Touran.
With that sort of recommendation, it was worth taking note.
On the technical side, it’s based on the reliable Golf model, so the basic car has a reliable history behind it.
But my main criteria for choosing a car were based on safety, space, and size. In these regards the Touran was very good.
It was one of the 5-star scoring cars on the European Ncap tests, so it’s a strong safe car for the family.
Additionally, it seemed easily wide enough to take child safety seats in its stride across the back seats, and the extra 2 seats in the 7-seater model were exactly what I was looking for.
However, somehow all this didn’t seem to create a car that looked large and cumbersome - it managed to feel compact and well used for storage space on the inside, while somehow only looking about as long and wide as a normal saloon - which was a definite surprise in a 7-seater model.
Another pleasant surprise is that having seen so many other models of cars come with optional extras, it was brilliant to see that Volkswagen had included most of these as default features of the Touran, leaving the optional extras as essential vanity features such as sunroof, alloys, and accessories.
The only significant gripe I could raise is that to operate the rear sears you have to use looped cords rather than plastic handles, which seems a clumsy way to operate them. Additionally, there are some storage compartments under the roof between the driver and passenger seats, but I really can’t see what these can be used for, other than perhaps storing sunglasses - for which the compartments seem over-sized.
Overall, the car is safe, compact, and there’s a lot of storage, and I can’t find any significant disadvantage with this car - it seems a great and overall general purpose family car, with loads of room, and is definitely on my list of best.
Description:
From the Volkswagen Touran page:
The Touran, Volkswagen’s new compact MPV, takes safety very seriously indeed. Six airbags and Isofix preparation for two child seats come as standard. It’s even been built using extensive laser welding, to ensure that every two pieces of metal become as strong as one.
The Touran has a low centre of gravity to help it handle brilliantly. And its Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) gives it extra precision on the road. With a five star rating for safety from the Euro NCAP, you can rely on the Touran to keep your whole family safe.
This MPV makes long journeys with the kids a pleasure. Included in this car are three 12-volt sockets, ideal for electronic games and gadgets. There are also up to 35 cubbyholes for the kids to seek out. The Touran also comes with five or seven seats, with the latter providing over 500 different seat combinations.
Specifications:
Standard specifications on all Volkswagen Touran models:
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12 year body protection warranty
12V socket in rear and luggage compartment
3 year paint work warranty
3 year/60,000 miles warrantly (Whichever is soonest)
ABS (Anti-lock Braking system)
Body coloured bumpers and bump strips
Cruise Control
Cup holders, front x 2
Curtain Airbags
Driver and front passenger airbags
Driver and front passengers active head restraints
Driver and passenger seat height adjustment
Dust and pollen filter
Electricallly heated and adjustable door mirrors
Electronic engine immobiliser
ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme)
Four spoke steering wheel
Front passenger airbag deactivation switch
Front seat side impact airbags
Heat insulating tinted glass
Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
Illuminated sun visor mirrors
Instrument lighting, blue adjustable panel illumination
Interior lighting front and rear reading lights
Isofix child seat preparation for two seats
Luggage Compartment Cover
Multifunction computer
Power assisted steering - speed sensitive
Radio with single CD player
Rear screen wash wipe
Remote central locking and 2 remote keys
Three point seatbelts - all seats
Variable servicing
Volkswagen Assistance
Warning Triangle
Safety:
The only NCAP tests on the Touran are from 2003, which is somewhat old and the Touran’s almost certainly have undergone safety revision since then.
Nevertheless, the Volkswagen Touran scored an impressive 5 stars.
However, on the downsize, it was noted that there remained a danger of leg injuries in the tested model, due to the possibility of hard parts in front of the driver breaking through the fascia - though this did not happen in the test.
