Launched in 2002, this was Volkswagen’s first SUV and its entry into the premium full-size SUV class. It was developed as a flagship model to combine long-distance comfort with genuine off-road capability, and it quickly became one of the brand’s most important global vehicles. The original generation established the nameplate’s identity with permanent all-wheel drive, strong towing ability, and an unusually broad range of engines for its time, including high-output diesel and gasoline variants that gave it a reputation for both refinement and serious capability.
The second generation arrived in 2010 and shifted the formula toward more road-focused comfort, lighter construction, and greater efficiency while keeping the model’s premium positioning intact. A hybrid version followed, underlining Volkswagen’s move toward electrified powertrains in larger vehicles. The third generation debuted in 2018 with more advanced technology, a more digital interior, and a stronger emphasis on comfort, connectivity, and driver assistance systems.
Beyond the showroom, the nameplate built a strong reputation through record-setting and motorsport-linked projects. It became associated with heavy-duty towing demonstrations, endurance runs, and the Dakar-inspired Race Touareg program, which helped reinforce its image as a durable, technically ambitious SUV. After more than two decades and three generations, Volkswagen marked the end of combustion-engine production with a Final Edition in 2026, closing the chapter on one of the brand’s most significant modern nameplates.