Volkswagen Touareg: 2019 carsales Car of the Year Highly Commended

So close… Only an exceptional, segment-defining vehicle bettered the Volkswagen Touareg in the 2019 carsales Car of the Year presented by Shell V-Power.

And therefore as runner-up, the big Volkswagen has received a highly commended gong.

In a contest that saw the Euros bring their A-games, the all-new Volkswagen Touareg presented a well-rounded argument for a prestige SUV to take out the carsales Car of the Year award once again, after the Volvo XC40’s win last year.

Having recently trumped both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE in our recent large prestige SUV comparison, the Volkswagen Touareg impressed as a complete package and, in Launch Edition form, added more than enough interest to make a solid argument against the established luxury SUV set.

carsales Road Test Editor Matt Brogan summed up the Touareg’s strong points, saying it had a “logical and well presented cabin with generous space for five” and adding that “Cargo space is ample while fit and finish is excellent”.

All judges praised the way the large German SUV drove, with carsales’ London correspondent John Mahoney enjoying the performance of the Touareg’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

“Really like the powertrain,” he said. “Loads of torque, smooth and fast, and the brakes are mighty.”

And while Volkswagen’s new SUV flagship lost some points on the driving station test for its intrusive electronic stability control, the Touareg’s lane keeping system was lauded as one of the best on test.

Previous generation Volkswagen Touaregs have been trusty family wagons and tow vehicles for their owners, but in the latest iteration – packaged with features that rival the best in the business – the Touareg has lifted its own bar.

Up front there’s an easy to use range of technology and comfort features including intuitive touch-screen infotainment systems and massaging seats, while rear passengers will love the dual-zone digital climate controls, central and B-pillar air-vents, rear-window blinds and spacious seating that delivers ultimate comfort.

Whether you’re behind the wheel or ensconced in the second row, the voluminous VW delivers occupants a first-class experience. Upcoming V8 TDI and R versions will even better exploit a high-tech platform that’s shared with the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.

Priced from close to $80,000, the new Volkswagen Touareg is more expensive than before and options like the enormous curved 15-inch touch-screen infotainment display – one of the world’s biggest – and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster aren’t cheap.

But given it still holds a price and value advantage over its chief rivals and now comes with a five-year warranty, we’re comfortable to say the Volkswagen Touareg is the best large five-seat SUV on sale today. Yes, it’s that good.