DecodedCars2017 Volkswagen Touareg
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 3.6l Vr6 4dr SUV AWD
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 280 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 17 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 4,696 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Few owner complaints24 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 364 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is a standard SUV offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,696 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway), 3% better than the 2017 standard SUV average of 18.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2017
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 24 to 19
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Touareg →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Bratislava, Slovakia
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2017 Touareg configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6l Vr6 4dr SUV AWD | 189 in | 76.4 in | 68.1 in | 113.8 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,696 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touareg | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +3% | $3,550 | 462 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg.
Similar 2017 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Volkswagen Touareg (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2017 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2017 Honda CR-V | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2017 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 14 |
| 2017 Subaru Forester | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Unknown Or Other · May 5, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V321000 · 46 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Risk
- Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Not every 2017 Volkswagen Touareg is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Volkswagen Touareg buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Suspension — 1 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,346 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Touareg years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Touareg | 24 | 189 in | Not rated | 2 | 45 |
| 2015 Touareg | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 24 |
| 2014 Touareg | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 24 |
| 2013 Touareg | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 20 |
| 2012 Touareg | 22 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 20 |
| 2011 Touareg | 22 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 7 |
| 2010 Touareg | 20 | 187 in | Not rated | 1 | 14 |
| 2009 Touareg | 20 | 187 in | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2008 Touareg | 17 | 187 in | Not rated | 1 | 41 |
| 2007 Touareg | 17 | 187 in | Not rated | 2 | 5 |
| 2006 Touareg | 17 | 187 in | Not rated | 1 | 17 |
| 2005 Touareg | 16 | 187 in | Not rated | 1 | 28 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →