Volkswagen loves an interesting Touareg hero. Over the years it’s offered some fascinating range-toppers, including V10 diesel and W12 petrol options. Now, it’s turning to plug-in hybrid power.
The new Touareg R is the first Volkswagen plug-in hybrid to be offered in Australia, and stands out further from the broader range by blending its electric power with a petrol V6. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Although it’s meant to improve efficiency, the PHEV in the Touareg R packs a serious punch.
With 340kW and 700Nm on tap, it’s the most powerful Volkswagen ever sold in Australian showrooms. Those punchy outputs don’t bring with them an extortionate price tag. With a sticker of $130,000 before on-road costs, it comfortably undercuts BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE variants with less grunt and equipment.
Sounds good on paper, right? All models are cheaper than those they replace, and all feature extra standard equipment. Prices exclude on-road costs To see how the Volkswagen Touareg lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool . There are a few nods to the fact this is an R model inside, but at its core the Touareg remains a comfortable family car.
The front seats are generously padded armchairs trimmed in supple, rich-smelling leather with heating, ventilation, and massaging to while away the hours on the road. The driving position is nigh on perfect, and everything you touch looks and feels expensiv.
