Volkswagen is planning the axe the Touareg, drawing a line under one of its most upmarket nameplates.
Insiders have told Autocar it will cease to be produced in 2026, leaving the recently introduced Tayron as Volkswagen’s largest SUV model in the UK.
First launched in 2002, the premium SUV was developed alongside the original Porsche Cayenne, sharing the same platform and fulfilling a dual purpose: giving Porsche its first SUV and helping former Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piëch to realise his ambition of elevating the Volkswagen brand with upmarket models such as the Touareg and its saloon sibling, the Phaeton.
The decision to retire the Touareg reflects changing priorities at Volkswagen. The Tayron is positioned as a lower-cost alternative with broader appeal and now fulfils much of the Touareg's role. Already on sale in key global markets and offered in both two- and three-row forms, the Tayron offers a 2500kg towing capacity in 2.0 TSI 4Motion guise and has a more versatile interior.
With no direct successor planned, the Touareg’s departure marks the end of Volkswagen’s push into the premium market after 23 years.
Alongside the Touareg, VW has also decided to retire the ID 5 from its line-up.
Launched in 2021 as a more sporting, coupé-styled sibling to more upright ID 4, it was primarily aimed at the Chinese market, but failed to gain significant traction there. In Europe, too, it has been overshadowed by the more practical ID 4. It was never offered in the US.
Its planned discontinuation is set to take effect in 2027 and forms part of broader efforts to streamline the range and concentrate on high-volume models.
Elsewhere, previously reported plans for what one key Wolfsburg insider describes as a “mini Buzz” – a compact but practical MEB-based electric MPV model to succeed the Touran – have been discussed within the Volkswagen boardroom.
However, sources close to Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer say it is not a priority, with sibling company Skoda now considering such a model as part of its future line-up. “We looked at it, but the market is demanding crossovers and SUV models,” said the source. “This is the direction we ultimately decided to go in.”
The decision not to press ahead with an electric MPV model is partly due to engineering capacity at Volkswagen’s Braunschweig R&D centre in Germany being pushed to the limit by potentially more important models, most notably the electric Golf.
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If the gen 3 was a good as the gen 2 I would lament the passing of this icon. We have chosen this beast twice for its tow capacity and the weight it brings to the car caravan combo. But the changes they made to the gen 3 with the ridiculous over revving and placing the power band up around the 2000 rpm mark has left this car all grunt and limited power. Not to mention when it does kick in it hurtles you down the road with limited control, not ideal with a big van on the back. Don't get me started on EGR and DPF issues and oil enrichment, none of which are helpful for the daily communte nor the family holiday. In our case has led to 4 out of the last 11 months of ownership being spent in the garage. And while the Touraeg is not alone in its over reliance on electronic systems which are desigend to contribute to the daily error message lottery about what is not working today, Front assist, Sign cameras and safety comms system etc, it comes with such great promise but fails to deliver what it could be. So I will lament the passing of what could have been rather than what is.
Those who own and drive these cars just love them. Big, powerful, comfortable with amazing engineering and technology without the fancy badbe prices of others.
I was interested to read the very positive review of the Bentley which of course is on the same platform.
The 4 wheel steer gives this vehicle the agility of a Golf . a great package, I will miss them.
It starts at £71.5k, VW priced it out of its own market segment. Now VW(Group) will be down to ~20 SUV choices.