Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Large SUV with very good occupant protection (5 Euro NCAP stars in 2018) and a generous boot (810 L in diesel). The documented points to watch are the Airmatic air suspension, the electronics of the first years, and the AdBlue system of the diesel. The plug-in hybrid R was the subject of a recall for battery overheating risk. A complete service history and checking for open recalls are essential.
- Reliability
- 4.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €33,200 – €88,400
- Monthly cost
- €693
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 3.0 V6 TDI 231, 3.0 V6 TDI 286.
3.0 V6 TDI 231
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 231 hp · 6.6 L/100 km · 172 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
V6 diesel of 500 Nm, four-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic gearbox.
3.0 V6 TDI 286
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 286 hp · Crit'Air 2
V6 diesel of 600 Nm, four-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic gearbox.
3.0 TSI eHybrid 381
Hybrid · Automatic · 381 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid: 340 hp V6 petrol engine and electric motor, 600 Nm, about 51 km of electric range (WLTP combined); 610 L boot.
3.0 TSI R eHybrid 462
Hybrid · Automatic · 462 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid: 340 hp V6 petrol engine and 136 hp electric motor. Affected by a battery recall (see faults).
Market prices
€33,200 – €88,400
Indicative range: 2018 to 2026, yearly medians of 394 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Airmatic air suspension
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe air suspension is cited as one of the weak points of the Touareg III: the compressors can fail between 80,000 and 120,000 km, with the car sagging on one side or a warning message on the dashboard. The parts are expensive and not every workshop can diagnose the problem reliably; the risk is not inevitable.
- Versions
- 3.0 V6 TDI 231, 3.0 V6 TDI 286, 3.0 TSI eHybrid 381, 3.0 TSI R eHybrid 462
- Onset
- between 80,000 km and 120,000 km
- Repair
- not documented
AdBlue system (diesel)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe AdBlue system and the EGR valve of the V6 TDI are cited as weak points that can lead to repair costs.
- Versions
- 3.0 V6 TDI 231, 3.0 V6 TDI 286
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Electronics and infotainment
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingFailures of dashboard modules, parking sensors or the MIB3 infotainment system are regularly reported, especially on the first years (2018-2019). The RAC recommends checking the condition of the infotainment screens when buying.
- Versions
- 3.0 V6 TDI 231, 3.0 V6 TDI 286, 3.0 TSI eHybrid 381, 3.0 TSI R eHybrid 462
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
High-voltage battery overheating (Touareg R eHybrid)
Manufacturer recallA recall concerns plug-in hybrid Touareg R models built from 2020 to 2024: defective cell modules in the high-voltage battery can overheat during charging and cause a fire (214 vehicles affected in Australia). Remedy: free software update at a dealership.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 3.0 TSI R eHybrid 462
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Volkswagen Touareg”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €178 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €130 |
| Maintenance | €53 |
| Depreciation | €332 |
| Total per month | €693 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (diesel)€178
3.0 V6 TDI 231 version: combined consumption of 6.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.6 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €178
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€130
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€53
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€332
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Volkswagen Touareg III — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Plug-in hybrid R: ask a Volkswagen dealership, using the serial number, whether the battery recall has been carried out.
- Air suspension: check that the car does not sag after a night, that no chassis fault message appears, and that the compressor does not run continuously.
- Test the infotainment screen, the digital instrument cluster and the parking sensors.
- Diesel: read the fault codes and check the AdBlue system (warning lights, level, repair history).
- Ask for the service invoices, in particular the automatic gearbox oil changes.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the air suspension or its compressor already been repaired? Do you have the invoices?
- Have the manufacturer recalls been carried out at Volkswagen?
- Have there been any electronics or infotainment faults under warranty?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
I · 2017–2024
- Price
- €22,600 – €37,500
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 5008
II · 2017–2024
- Price
- €13,100 – €27,000
- Reliability
- 2/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Koleos
II · 2017–2023
- Price
- €15,000 – €23,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
V · since 2019
- Price
- €26,700 – €45,300
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: KGC626, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Arteon
I · 2017–2023
- Price
- €19,700 – €28,700
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Volkswagen Touareg III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Volkswagen Touareg III?
5 stars in 2018, with 89% for adult occupant protection and 81% for safety assist systems. The rating was later extended to the plug-in hybrid version.
What is the boot capacity of the Touareg III?
810 litres (up to 1,800 litres with the rear seats folded) in diesel. The plug-in hybrid has 610 litres.
What are the weak points of a used Touareg III?
The Airmatic air suspension, the electronics of the first years (2018-2019) and the diesel AdBlue system are the most frequently cited; the Touareg R plug-in hybrid was the subject of a battery recall.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Volkswagen Touareg listing: price, mileage, watch points.
Get notified at launch