The new Volkswagen Touareg R is an affordable Porsche Cayenne

In recent years we have had to do without the Volkswagen Touareg. The SUV has now undergone a facelift and is suddenly also available as a plug-in hybrid. Even the updated Volkswagen Touareg R has a plug, so we can welcome it with open arms again.

In addition to the R eHybrid, the Touareg is also available as an Elegance eHybrid. In both cases there is a 3.0-liter V6 TSI engine under the hood, which itself produces around 340 hp. We already know this from the pre-facelift model.

Volkswagen Touareg R as a plug-in hybrid

The difference is that the six-cylinder is now supported by an electric motor. This increases the performance of the Elegance to 381 hp and 600 Nm, that of the R to 462 hp and 700 Nm. A few horsepower less, but 50 Nm more than the Porsche Cayenne with almost the same drive train.

Just like the Porsche, the Volkswagen cannot tow less than 3,500 kilograms. Ideal for people with a boat or horse trailer who want to drive a slightly more subdued and cheaper car than a Cayenne or Range Rover. The logo on the back is now illuminated, but no one will see that if you hang a large pendant behind it.

Premium feeling from VW

At the same time, the Volkswagen Touareg can certainly be classified as a premium car. If you look closely, you’ll find cheaper plastics here and there, but the overall experience is good for residents. The interior is stylishly designed and equipped with beautiful materials. In addition, LED strips illuminate the interior attractively in the evening.

Since the Volkswagen Touareg is now marketed as a plug-in hybrid, there is a 17.9 kWh battery pack in the floor. Relatively modest for a car of this size and the purely electric range is only 50 kilometers.

Cheaper than the pre-facelift model

However, the battery pack and plug allow Volkswagen to bring the Touareg to market at a slightly lower price. The Elegance eHybrid now starts at 89,990 euros, around 1,000 euros less than the cheapest pre-facelift model. However, in contrast to the R variant, which costs 99,990 euros, this Elegance does not have air suspension as standard. Most customers will immediately choose the more elaborately decorated R version.