Space in abundance, real seating variability and a raised seating position for the driver: no SUV is required for these advantages. An ordinary van does the same, especially if you want to do without all-wheel drive anyway. We asked the most successful van on German roads, the VW Touran, with the 110 kW / 150 strong TSI for everyday testing. However, this is not a cheap pleasure, because in the highest equipment level and with the DSG automatic, 32.650 euros are due without additional extras.
The VW Touran, the second generation of 2015 since September, continues where its predecessor left off: it leads the van sales statistics. One reason for its success is surely its less polarizing design. The vehicle, which now stretches to a length of 4,53 meters and is positioned almost exactly between the Caddy and VW Multivan, gives a solid impression as before. Although the new one looks a little less irrelevant than the models of the previous generation with its sharper contoured sheet, it still doesn't look really exciting. He doesn't have to either. With this family companion, the inner, i.e. practical, values really count.
And the five-seater we drove (seven-seater: 640 Euro surcharge) offers a whole lot, such as variability. The second row consists of three individual seats. These can be moved lengthways in favor of more knee or storage space. If there is a need to maximize luggage space, the backrests can simply be folded down. Then a flat trunk floor is created. Almost 2.000 liters of cargo volume come about, a very decent result. Normally seated, the luggage part still holds 834 liters and thus the vacation luggage of a family should have no problems taking it on the long journey. The payload is almost 700 kilograms, which is also a good value. Light cargo can also be easily secured using an elastic and variably adjustable safety net or disappears in the underbody compartment.
Speaking of disappearance: Of course, the many typical shelves are really practical. Everything important and less important finds its place in the car, nothing has to lie around or slide. The only question that remains is whether you always know which family member has stowed where, where it matters? On the other hand, the joint search of all “hiding places” could certainly be designed as a family-internal, team-building measure.
Thanks to the subtly elevated seating positions, the “team bosses” in the front seats enjoy a good view of the traffic and meet the compact SUV drivers at eye level.
In general, the 1,4-liter TSI has no feeling of inferiority, and it shows that it doesn't always have to be a diesel. The 150 PS are enough to set the Touran, which weighs almost 1,5 tons, in motion. 250 Nm lacks a bit of pulling power compared to the equally powerful diesel (340 Nm), but the seven-speed DSG effortlessly overrides the small shortcoming. After all, you don't want to win the traffic light start with a van, nor do you want to be on the left lane with a lead foot. Although - you could try both if you travel alone. However, the chassis is designed for comfort rather than sportiness. The rear passengers should appreciate a relaxed driving style anyway. This also benefits consumption. On average, with a large proportion of short journeys, 7,6 liters flowed through the lines. This means that we clearly missed the standard value of 5,4 liters, but for a large van, the consumption is ultimately still okay.
Anyone interested in a Touran should have their finances in order. For the entry-level model with the 81 kW / 110 PS petrol engine, VW is calling at least 23.350 euros. The 150 PS-TSI only starts in conjunction with the second equipment level "Comfortline" from 28.200 euros, the DSG costs 1.875 euros surcharge. The third “Highline” variant includes 17 inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, three-zone automatic climate control, speed limiters and heated front seats. Not surprisingly, however, there is still room for individualization here. In addition to many assistants such as traffic sign recognition or automatic parking, VW also offers other practical helpers. In winter temperatures, for example, the heated three-spoke steering wheel ensures warm hands. If you want to save yourself stretching and stretching for ice-scraping the large windscreen after freezing rain, invest in the heated windscreen or in an auxiliary heater. A few thousand euros come together so quickly. But as a driver you know that now and have not spoiled our everyday fun with this sophisticated van.
Author: Elfriede Munsch / SP-X