Volkswagen says ‘ta ta!’ to the Touareg

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Neil Goodwin is an in-house content writer at Select covering all things automotive. A former national newspaper journalist and PR consultant, he loves his motorcycles as much as he loves his cars....

Published 20 October, 2025, 12:19 GMT

VWconfirms Touareg production will end in 2027
Premium SUV first launched back in 2002
Last year of production will be marked with special ‘Final Edition’ model
Final Edition variants will get unique lettering throughout

If you’re thinking about leasing a Volkswagen Touareg, it’s time to get your finger out - because production of the premium SUV is about to end.

The Touareg is VW’s high-end, powerful, all-wheel drive mile-muncher that’s available with a V6 diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrain.

It has a lot in common with the Audi Q7 and Audi Q8, and is also built on the same VW Group platform (MLB Evo) as the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.

The Touareg rubs shoulders with some desirable siblings, then, yet is often much cheaper to lease than those esteemed rivals.

Which is why many of you will be sad to hear that after more than 20 years in production, the Touareg as we know it has reached the end of the road.

Is the VW Touareg being discontinued?

Yes - production of the Touareg will end in 2027, with more than 1.2 million units sold across three generations.

A VW spokesperson tells us: “Despite its size, it has always exuded a timelessly understated design. Its interior has been stylish in every generation, with high quality standards and comfort as well as many new technical features. These innovations have also made it the flagship in Volkswagen’s portfolio up to the present day.”

Why is the VW Touareg being discontinued? VW is shifting focus from premium models with higher build costs towards more mass-market models with broader appeal, while leaving the VW Group brands like Audi and Porsche to focus on more luxurious SUVs.

The VW Tayron, for example, is a more affordable SUV that still comes with the option of all-wheel drive, seven seats, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

What is the VW Touareg Final Edition?

To celebrate the Touareg’s success, VW is launching a ‘Final Edition’ model.

We don’t yet know the precise details about UK prices and spec, with that info still to be confirmed by VW, but you can expect the special edition to come fully loaded.

VW also says that the Touareg Final Edition will feature ‘exclusive design elements both inside and out’.

A spokesperson adds: “All equipment lines feature striking FINAL EDITION lettering laser-engraved on the window surrounds of the rear doors and embossed in the leather of the gear lever. The multi-colour ambient lighting comes as standard in the Black Edition equipment line and above; the label also appears in the illuminated dash panel trim and on the illuminated sill panel mouldings.”

How many generations of the VW Touareg?

There have been three generations of the VW Touareg - with the current model now the last of its kind.

Here’s a quick look at the different generations:

Touareg I (2002)

Thanks to its numerous innovations, such as the electromechanical roll stabilisation or CDC air suspension with six level settings, the Touareg became one of the most highly regarded SUVs in its class immediately after its market launch in autumn 2002. It was possible to drive through water up to a depth of 58 centimetres or negotiate slopes with inclines of up to 45 degrees. The top-of-the-range model of the Touareg line was the Touareg V10 TDI, which was equipped with the most powerful diesel engine installed at Volkswagen at the time. The 313 PS five-litre, ten-cylinder engine generated a maximum torque of 750 Newton metres and accelerated the 2.5-tonne Touareg to 62mph in 7.8 seconds.

In one famous episode of TV’s Fifth Gear, the Touareg was also seen pulling a jumbo jet weighing 155 tonnes!

Watch that classic clip below:

Touareg II (2010)

The second generation of the Touareg grew both in width and length. The 3.0 V6 TSI Hybrid was powered by a combination of a supercharged V6 petrol engine with 333 PS and a 34.3 kW electric motor. The combined system output of the hybrid was 380 PS with a maximum torque of 580 Nm. With this, the Touareg II accelerated to 62mph in 6.5 seconds Volkswagen sold more than 483,000 units of the Touareg II during its production period from 2010 to 2018.

Touareg III (2018)

The third generation of the Touareg got a new steel and aluminium body made from weight-saving materials. The wheelbase grew to 2.904 metres yet the height was reduced by seven millimetres for a sleeker look. It also boasts an optimised electromechanical active stabilisation system, which detects roll movements up to 400 times per second to ensure optimum adjustment and a safe driving experience on every terrain. Since autumn 2020, the Touareg R Hybrid has been the flagship model in the range: a plug-in hybrid SUV with system power of 462 PS and maximum torque of 700 Nm. More than 265,000 units of the Touareg III have already been sold worldwide since its debut in 2018. It also appeals as a tow car, with a maximum trailer weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.

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Volkswagen says ‘ta ta!’ to the Touareg