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Motoring

The Volkswagen Touran MPV – practically perfect

flat individually or collectively keep the dashboard neat and tidy.
to give an already generous boot The twelve volt socket, aux plug and
almost cavernous qualities. The boot USB are tucked away in one of the
itself has hooks, straps, cubbies many useful storage wells. Seats are
and 12v power and the tested comfortable enough for long trips
car also offered a cargo net for and the driving position is good.
extra security. Under the floor is It even has five Isofix fittings for
a tyre inflation kit which isn’t to profligate child-rearers.
everyone’s taste but serves to better There’s a good range of engines to
utilise interior space. choose from. My pick of the range is
The tested Touran is the SE the 1.6 TDI 110 SE model as tested
version; one up from the base S here. It’s a happy medium between
model. It has all you need but you cost, efficiency and performance
have to forgo climate control for and comes with either a six-speed
more basic air-con. All the now manual gearbox or a seven-speed
Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the VW Touran MPV for a spin
expected technology is on board DSG auto. On test I routinely saw
The thing to remember about a on its side though and that is with a decent infotainment screen well over 43mpg and on a longer
Multi-Purpose Vehicle is that the build quality. It feels solid and covering navigation, music and car run diesel consumption rose to a
clue is in the MPV designation. In dependable, able to withstand the controls in one easy to use set-up, heady 51.2mpg.
this case it is a mid-size seven-seat rigours of family car life. augmented by steering wheel The Volkswagen Touran is not the
vehicle which has many practical The two small seats at the rear controls. most exciting car to look at but, for
uses, none of which include driving fold flush into the floor to ensure Pretty much everything has been what it lacks in styling, it makes up
thrills. This is the car you want there is more than adequate boot redesigned to work better than for with its functionality. Its unique
when there is child wrangling to space. It takes ten seconds to raise on the Mark 1 version. This means selling point is the classy-feeling
be done or awkward items to be and lock them into position. At a increased safety and more gadgets. interior, which is also more spacious
collected from the garden centre. pinch two adults could sit there for The model to avoid is the entry S and practical than many rivals in
Enthusiastic drivers need not apply. a short trip but really they are for level which is a tad spartan. As ever, this class. It is very comfortable to
It has to be said that in a sea of children. Even with the third row there are various trim levels and ride in but not exciting to drive.
similar vehicles the Volkswagen up there is still room for the family options right up to the range- Subtle improvements across the
Touran doesn’t really set itself shop at the back. topping R-Line model. board over the previous iteration
apart. It is determinedly unflashy. The second row will seat three A nice touch is the CD / SD card make the new Volkswagen Touran
The Touran does have one thing comfortably and they too will fold player hidden behind a bright panel more impressive than ever as a
above the glove box which helps to family all-rounder.

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