Upgraded 2024 Volkswagen Touareg to add more kit for less money

The facelifted 2024 Volkswagen Touareg will arrive in Australia in April with loads more standard features including an illuminated rear logo, plus price reductions to step up its value proposition against the large German luxury SUV rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche.

Volkswagen’s new flagship SUV will finally also include the range-topping VW Touareg R, the brand’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to be sold in Australia, priced at $129,990 plus on-road costs – $6500 less than the V8 TDI it effectively replaces.

But it’s the freshened 2024 Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI that will be the key variant within the expanded range as the German brand looks to flesh out its line-up of SUVs in the $60,000-$90,000 price bracket.

While pricing is yet to be confirmed, the company says the new Touareg will slide in under the outgoing model, which was priced from $89,240 plus on-road costs – or about $98,000 drive-away.

However, don’t expect anything as sharp as the $86,000 drive-away deals currently being offered to run out the old model.

The mainstream 2024 Touareg range will again comprise three diesel grades: the base 170TDI, the more powerful 210TDI and the 210TDI R-Line, all powered by 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel. Then there’s the top-shelf Touareg R PHEV.

As well as the “price reposition”, the updated Touareg will bring a swag more gear as standard.

It will also be the first Volkswagen SUV or passenger vehicle to feature speed sign recognition (the only Volkswagen to date with the tech is the Amarok, which is produced in a Ford factory).

There are also standard matrix LED headlights with 19,200 pixels per unit for accurate illumination of individual lanes and the ability to blank out other vehicles. They were previously unavailable or part of an option pack costing at least $6600 depending on the grade.

Plus all Touaregs pick up load-sensing roof rails that can adjust the stability control system when roof racks are fitted (it only works with genuine Volkswagen roof bars).

All variants also continue with a high level of specification that includes dual-zone ventilation, 30-colour ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, a power tailgate and heated front seats with memory function for the driver.

Design tweaks across the latest Touareg range include fresh bumpers and LED light strips across the front and rear ends, and the illuminated rear VW logo is also a nice touch.

But the entry-level 170kW/500Nm 170TDI also now adds new 19-inch alloys, a 360-degree camera, park assist plus, manoeuvre braking and wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 15-inch central infotainment touch-screen that form the $8700 Innovision Package option for the outgoing 170TDI.

Meantime, the 2024 VW Touareg 210TDI gets an additional 40kW and 100Nm (210kW/600Nm in total), 20-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, ventilated and massaging front seats, and adjustable-height air suspension with self-levelling.

The 210TDI R-Line adds sportier design highlights including 21-inch alloys, brushed stainless steel pedals, colour-coded wheel-arches, tinted windows, a sports steering wheel, illuminated R-Line logos in the front metal scuff plates, black headliner and alloy trim finishes inside.

There’s also rear-wheel steering and active stabiliser bars to reduce body roll in corners.

Finally, with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 at the centre of its plug-in hybrid system, the new Touareg R consumes just 3.3L/100km according to the government test cycle.

With a claimed all-electric range of 51km – with only the 100kW/400Nm electric motor in play – the Touareg R can use no fuel for short distances.

However, bring the petrol engine into play and there’s a combined 340kW and 700Nm available, delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.1 seconds.

Volkswagen will include a charging cable that plugs into a regular powerpoint for a full charge in about 8.5 hours. A Type 2 plug can utilise a wallbox or public AC chargers to deliver a 2.5-hour charge.

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