Review of VW Touareg R hybrid find luxury for less

Volkswagen’s first hybrid Touareg R delivers V8-like numbers along with space, grace and pace.

Most cars turn heads purely on looks.

Our latest attention-grabber was the Volkswagen Touareg R, which attracted consideration from astute followers.

You would be forgiven for thinking it was “just” another large SUV.

But at least one bloke at the service station, along with a mother and daughter pairing at the gym, knew it was more than the average Vee Dub family hauler.

“Do you even bother plugging it in?” the learned servo onlooker asked.

He knew it was the first plug-in hybrid to wear the hallowed “R” badge, and for Volkswagen in Australia for that matter.

Laying claim to V8-like performance, only far quieter and more efficient, our family put the racy $140k pumped-up wagon to the test.

What do you get?

Like other Touaregs, it’s well equipped with the same 15-inch infotainment screen, 12.3-inch digital driver display, electric tailgate, satnav, along with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

But being the halo model it gains the best of everything available, including an expansive panoramic sunroof, glossy 22-inch black alloys housing massive disc brakes with blue calipers emblazoned with the R logo and a 14-speaker Dynaudio stereo.

Step inside the R and it rightfully feels a step ahead of its siblings, with the plush leather trim (which has some man-made aspects), four-zone aircon, sports steering wheel, brushed aluminium inserts and an illuminated blue dash helping to create the theatre you expect from a performance model.

Our test car was in the hero “Lapiz” blue, which we think is the pick of the bunch, but like all metallic options, adds $2200. Other hues include white, silver, grey, red, black and a darker blue.

Two charging cords are part of the deal, and the small battery takes about 2.5 hours to replenish using a wallbox charger. A standard power point takes about eight hours.

Volkswagen offers five ($3400) and three ($2050) year care plans to cover servicing costs which are less expensive than paying per visit.

Warranty coverage remains on par with most other manufacturers at five years, although roadside assist is only one year but it is extended for another 12 months after every VW dealer service.

Inside the Volkswagen Touareg R features plush leather trim, four-zone aircon, sports steering wheel, brushed aluminium inserts and a dash with blue illumination.

How was the drive?

To answer my new-found servo mate’s question, “do you bother charging it?”. Absolutely.

By itself the turbocharged V6 generates a reasonable 250kW/450Nm, but combine it with electric power and together that delivers 340kW and 700Nm. That makes it the most powerful series production Volkswagen of all time which is good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds.

Just don’t expect any raucous rough and tumble. It might deliver V8-like numbers, but the Touareg R melds space, grace and pace.

Change drive modes via the console dial and the air suspension adjusts accordingly, with Sport tightening responses all round. It hunkers down in the bends and prods of the right pedal are rewarded with ample power, while the big brakes do a stellar job of dropping the anchor when needed.

Rapid directional shifts expose the SUV’s size, but the overall performance remains impressive for a wagon that can carry five adults in comfort.

Pure electric power was good for just under 50km.

That’s handy for the school run or a quick trip to the shops if you’re chasing low fuel consumption numbers. VW claims an average of just over three litres for every 100km, but we only managed 7.2L/100km.

Our test in the 2025 model Volkswagen Touareg R saw fuel consumption push past seven litres for every 100km.

Would you buy one?

Kel: Had I driven it before seeing the badge, I would have guessed it was expensive. Handling was great and I enjoyed each drive, plus I loved the electric option for short trips. This sporty version was better than the diesel derivative we had driven. previously. This one I’d own for sure.

Grant: Some would shy away at the price. This Touareg R is actually cheaper than its predecessor, and also shares its architecture with company cousins the Audi Q7/Q8 pairing, Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga. It’s actually even has the same outputs as the Bentley version. Hybrid technology adds a new element, but rather than old-school brawn it’s more modern muscle.

Originally published as Review of VW Touareg R hybrid find luxury for less