Sometimes, things aren't quite what you expect!
When you see a Lamborghini, you expect noise, power, sleek....
When you see a Rolls Royce you expect opulence, luxury....
When you see a Jeep you expect rugged, dirty, thirsty....
The list could go on!
I have to confess though, when I saw a Touran I expected an MPV - a people-carrier.
The Touran didn't LOOK spectacular or flash on first appearance, but I have to say that within a very short space of time, all my first impressions of the Touran were dramatically modified.
The most striking things become obvious the minute you sit inside. It is a high driving position, giving you tremendous all-round visibility and an extremely comfortable driving position. The seats are well padded at the sides, offering both extra support and comfort.
The instruments and dashboard make you feel as though you're sitting in something altogether more expensive. The video-displayed touch-screen entertainment and navigation system integrates everything you need - from changing a CD to planning a route to your favourite French holiday destination. It is all very intuitive, easy to use and allows you to concentrate on what matters most - enjoying the drive.
The Touran does not FEEL like a people-carrier.
From the moment you take to the road, it is hard to believe you are in anything but a high-performance saloon car. The ride, roadholding, comfort and sheer performance are extremely impressive for this class of vehicle and even though a driver looking for performance would be unlikely to start his search in the MPV sector, he certainly wouldn't be disappointed at what this car can do. The 6-speed gearbox is slick and flexible, having the long legs in sixth to make the most frugal driver smile, but skipping up and down through the gears when you need them most is effortless. Overtaking doesn't come packaged with any stress associated with the "can we make it?" mentality often associated with the more 'practical' genres in the car market. The acceleration is outstanding, taking you from 0-62mph in only 10.2 seconds, and doing it in a completely confidence-inspiring way. Cruising at the legal 70 is a quiet and relaxed affair, with the cruise control doing most of the hard work while you listen to a CD on the superb sound system.
Despite its rather boxy rear profile, the Touran is remarkable easy to park. The optional extra parking sensors fitted to the test vehicle made absolute childsplay of it!
Buggy and LuggageNow comes the best bit! Versatility! There are hundreds of seating combinations available, allowing carriage of anything from the whole tribe to a driver and lots of boxes. The seats convert quickly and easily, going from 7 to 5 to 2 in a jiffy! One thing I would comment on though is when all seven seats are in place there's very little luggage space. Even getting a folded buggy in would be a squeeze. However this is a small price to pay for the sheer versatility of the rest of the cabin. I was absolutely amazed at the number of storage spaces and areas in the cabin: seat-side pockets, under-seat pockets, drinks holders, to name but a few. I made a point of shoe-horning my ample frame into the back row of seats and was very pleasantly surprised at how roomy and comfy it was. However, from an ease of getting in and out point of view I think they're best left for the smallest members of the party.
All-in-all the Touran is a very respectable car in both performance and appointment and could even be classed as a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' as it delivers far more than its MPV exterior hints at. A great fun to drive, economical and versatile car, ideal for the family who wants the flexibility of a 7-seater, the performance of a hot hatch and the economy of a super-mini. A winner on all fronts!
Nigel Crawford
Feb 2008
Model Driven: TOURAN 2.0-litre SE TDi 6spd manual.
£19,490.00
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