Volkswagen Touran SE 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Touran is a car that generally performs very well on the road with steering that is quick to respond and is light at slower speeds but becomes weightier and easier to handle at motorway pace. The ride may be a little too firm for some people, but this extra firmness means that there is very little body movement when cornering, and the model has plenty of grip too. The driving position is adjustable with the steering wheel and driving seat both changing to suit the driver, and visibility is good to the front and the rear too.

The engine performance from this 2.0 diesel engine is very good, with acceleration from 0-62mph achieved in only 9.9 seconds, which is particularly impressive for such an efficient unit. The top speed of 126mph means that the car is well within its comfort zone when driving at motorway pace, and the refinement in the cabin at these speeds is very good too.

The Touran is an attractive vehicle with a grille and headlight combination that is quite similar to the Golf, but the steeper angle does indicate that this is a more practical vehicle. The rest of the body and the back end is fairly utilitarian, but the large rear windows and tail light clusters are bold even if they aren’t sleek and streamlined. Inside the cabin the dashboard is effective and delivers the information to the driver simply, but the rest of the trim is simply a little dull and unimaginative.

The level of equipment here is quite good, with the alloy wheels being a vital part of most modern cars on the market. Bluetooth connectivity and a decent CD stereo are also present, while the inclusion of air conditioning and cruise control do help to keep the cabin comfortable and make the Touran more civilized on the motorway.

One of the main reasons for buying a Touran is that it really is a very practical vehicle, with seven seats that can be used in a cabin that is generally quite spacious. The rear two seats can be removed to make the decent boot very generous, and when the middle seats are removed the load space is cavernous. Volkswagen does have an enviable reputation for making reliable cars, and the Touran has been rated as above average by drivers in a recent survey.

The car is also a very safe vehicle, with a fine range of airbags to help ensure that the passengers are protected in case of an accident. ABS and stability control are also very good additions, and these have helped the car to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test.

The list price of £24,015 may appear a little steep for many buyers, but the engine that you get with the car is one of the most powerful in the range, and some of the smaller BlueMotion powered diesel engines are also worth considering if the budget is tight.

The fuel efficiency delivered by this version of the Touran is quite impressive, with the 2.0 litre diesel unit delivering an average 58.9mpg. The insurance group isn’t too bad meaning premiums shouldn’t be extortionate, while the resale values for the Touran are quite good. The car is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty is quite good, and also comes with one year’s roadside breakdown assistance.