The current generation of the Volkswagen Touareg, introduced in 2018, continues to appeal to customers. During the first eight months of the year, 373 units were registered despite limited promotional activity. For comparison, the electric ID.3 recorded 137 registrations, the ID.4 54, the ID.5 three, and the ID.7 233 in the same period. Together, the ID models slightly surpassed the sales of the seven-year-old Touareg.
Future Direction
The current Touareg will be discontinued in the coming years. Volkswagen intends to reintroduce the name in 2029 with the ID.Touareg, a fully electric SUV.
Range Considerations
The present diesel version, equipped with a 78-liter fuel tank, is capable of covering approximately 1,000 kilometers on a single tank — such as a journey from Prague to the French Riviera with minimal refueling. Matching this level of range in an electric vehicle would require a significantly larger battery capacity, potentially close to 300 kWh, resulting in considerable added weight.
The production ID.Touareg is expected to feature a more moderate battery size, which will impact long-distance travel times due to the need for more frequent charging.
Software and Technical Platform
Volkswagen has encountered delays in its internal software development. To address this, the ID.Touareg will incorporate software from Rivian, the American electric vehicle manufacturer in which Volkswagen has invested substantially. The model will be built on the new SSP platform, whose introduction has been postponed several times.
Key Points
- The Touareg remains Volkswagen’s most expensive model and continues to outperform several newer electric ID models in terms of registrations.
- The SSP platform intended for the new model has faced repeated development delays.
- The acceptance of a large premium electric SUV will depend on factors including range, pricing and charging infrastructure.
This evolution represents Volkswagen’s ongoing commitment to electrification while the current diesel Touareg continues to serve customers who value traditional long-distance capabilities.
