By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 9, 2015) Perhaps the reason VW doesn’t bring the Touran MPV to the U.S. is that it is afraid the Golf-based people carrier would steal sales from the just-introduced Golf Sportwagon. For whatever reason, Americans prefer vans to wagons, despite the fact that the latter are sportier, better looking and almost as roomy.

However, VW no longer has a minivan in the U.S., leaving a large gap in the lineup, and while the Touran is significantly more compact than vehicles like the Honda Odyssey, Dodge Caravan, etc., it is a “right sized” answer for those who don’t need so large a “min” van.

Built off Volkswagen’s variable MQB structure, the new Touran has a larger interior than the previous generation, with little change in overall length. Though 5.1 inches longer, most of this increase (4.4 inches) has gone into the wheelbase, and interior length has increased by 2.4 inches. Most of this gain has been put to good use in the form of increased legroom for all three rows.

A new fold-flat seat system allows the interior to be reconfigured in a number of ways, and can be used to create a flat load floor from the rear hatch forward. Drop the third row and load the cargo area to roof height and, VW claims, you have nearly 37 feet of luggage space. Try that in your station wagon. Notably, overall length is about 180 inches, and weight has been reduced by 137 pounds.

European buyers can choose between three turbocharged gasoline direct injection and three turbocharged diesel engines. The former come in 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.8-liter displacements, while the diesels range from 1.6 to 2.0 liters. If VW sold the Touran in the States, the only suitable engines would be the 1.8-liter gas and high-output 2.0-liter diesel mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The other displacements are just too small for U.S. driving conditions, though the 1.4-liter gas motor would be possible if mated with the Jetta’s hybrid drive unit.

VW has added Automatic Post-Collision Braking to the Touran’s standard equipment list, and offers Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Pre-Crash Occupant Protection, and Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and Trailer Assist. Convenience features include a powered tailgate with optional hands-free opening, driving profile selection, LED headlights and five radio and radio with navigation options. In addition, the Touran also will offer buyers the choice of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.

This allows a wide variety of apps to be mirrored in the infotainment system’s display. Finally, buyers can order a voice amplification system that allows parents to use a microphone in the front seat area to speak to rear seat passengers.

The Virtual Driver