The Touareg will reportedly be axed in 2026, nearly 25 years after the flagship VW launched, with the Tayron becoming its largest SUV in Europe and Australia.
The Volkswagen Touareg is facing the axe, nearly 25 years after the flagship SUV first launched.
UK publication Autocar reports Volkswagen will stop manufacturing the Touareg sometime in 2026, with no direct successor planned, leaving the Tiguan-based Tayron as its largest SUV in Europe and Australia.
The Touareg debuted in 2002, sharing its platform with the then-new Porsche Cayenne, alongside the W12-powered Phaeton full-size sedan in an upmarket push from the Volkswagen brand.
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While the Phaeton was subsequently removed from Volkswagen’s line-up – the electric ID.7 is its current flagship sedan in Europe – the Touareg has continued, with the current, third-generation model launched in 2018.
Built in the Volkswagen Group’s large car-focused factory in Bratislava, Slovakia, it is related to – and manufactured alongside – the MLB Evo-based Audi Q7, Audi Q8 and Porsche Cayenne.
It is currently Volkswagen’s flagship combustion-engined model in Europe and Australia, with the range-topping Touareg R plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) being its most-expensive model in local showrooms at $133,490 before on-road costs.
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In markets where the Touareg isn’t sold, such as the United States, Volkswagen is expected to continue offering its road-focused Atlas large SUV, which was recently refreshed in China and is related to the MQB platform-based Golf and Tiguan.
The report claims Volkswagen will also axe its ID.5 coupe-styled electric SUV in 2027, rather than joining its ID.4 sibling in receiving a comprehensive update.
In addition, the German brand has reportedly paused plans to develop a “mini” ID. Buzz electric minivan to succeed the Golf-based Touran, based on its existing MEB electric-car architecture.
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A smaller electric Volkswagen minivan is “not a priority” according to sources close to CEO Thomas Schäfer, and sister brand Skoda could develop a similar model instead, with R&D attention focused on other electric vehicles, such as the Mk9 Golf hatchback.
The five- and seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron, which directly replaced the extended-wheelbase Tiguan Allspace, will become the largest Volkswagen SUV in Europe and Australia if the five-seat-only Touareg is axed in 2026.
Compared to the Touareg, the Tayron is not offered with V6 petrol plug-in hybrid or diesel power, has a braked towing capacity of up to 2500 kilograms instead of 3500kg, and is not as capable off-road with no air suspension, though it delivers more interior space.
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VFACTS new-car sales data shows 527 Volkswagen Touaregs have been reported as sold in Australia in the first seven months of 2025, a 28 per cent increase from the same time last year.
It compares to 1210 Lexus RXs, 554 Jeep Grand Cherokees (including the seven-seat L) and 217 Mazda CX-70s, its closest rivals. The Grand Cherokee was recently axed in Australia.
In Australia, the current Touareg is used in government fleets, with the Western Australia Police Force recently acquiring 12 R PHEVs for its Rapid Apprehension Squad, joining its four-cylinder turbo all-wheel-drive Skoda Superb highway patrol wagons.
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“Following the decommissioning of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore patrol cars, a comprehensive review was undertaken to identify an operationally suitable vehicle to withstand the demands of police emergency response driving,” the WA Police Force said in a media release.
“Consideration was afforded to vehicle capabilities in regard to safety, pressure thresholds and limitations, and safe handling in a variety of driving conditions.
“After undergoing a comprehensive testing process in a controlled track environment, which included the additional carriage of heavy police equipment, the inclusion of dynamic stability control and an upgraded braking package saw the Volkswagen Touareg R hybrid exceed expectations.”
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