Volkswagen is set to retire one of its most enduring nameplates — the Touareg — by the end of 2026, marking the end of an era for the German carmaker’s premium SUV. The decision aligns with Volkswagen’s evolving strategy to concentrate on a broader, more accessible vehicle portfolio for global markets, particularly in Europe.
A Legacy Spanning Over Two Decades
First introduced in 2002, the Touareg was born from a joint development program with Porsche and Audi. Built on a shared platform with the original Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7, the SUV brought a rare combination of luxury and ruggedness to the Volkswagen stable. Over the years, it stood out not only for its premium appeal but also for its powerful engine options — including a monstrous 5.0-litre V10 diesel and a 6.0-litre W12 petrol, both of which helped position the Touareg as a serious performance SUV.
Through three generations, the Touareg became a hallmark of engineering excellence within Volkswagen’s global line-up. But with rising pressure to cut costs, streamline offerings, and focus on electrification and mass-market viability, the company has decided against developing a fourth-generation model.
Tayron to Take the Mantle
Filling the gap left by the Touareg will be the Volkswagen Tayron, which is poised to become the brand’s new flagship SUV in key international markets. Based on the latest-generation Tiguan platform, the Tayron was first introduced globally in 2023 and is available in both two-row and three-row configurations.
Significantly, the Tayron rides on a newer, more adaptable platform than the current-generation Touareg, which has been on sale since 2018. Volkswagen has already confirmed plans to launch the Tayron in India by late 2025, where it will serve as the brand’s largest SUV offering.
Touareg’s Journey in India
The Touareg’s Indian innings began in 2009, when the first-generation model was launched with a V6 diesel engine, priced at Rs 51.85 lakh at the time — a figure that translates to over Rs 1.10 crore today when adjusted for inflation. Volkswagen later expanded the line-up with V8 and V10 diesel variants, underlining the SUV’s luxury and performance credentials.
The second-generation Touareg arrived in India in 2012, starting at Rs 58.5 lakh, and was offered with both V6 diesel and petrol options. However, despite global launches, the third-generation Touareg never made it to Indian shores — Volkswagen shelved local launch plans in 2019, citing shifting market priorities.
No Direct Successor in Sight
Volkswagen has made it clear that there are currently no plans for a direct replacement of the Touareg. Once production ceases in 2026, the nameplate will likely be shelved permanently, bringing a 24-year journey to a close.
As the brand leans into a future built around affordability, electrification, and global scalability, the Tayron will take over as the top-tier SUV in Volkswagen’s ICE-powered portfolio, with a potential electric counterpart possibly in the works further down the line.
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