Volkswagen bids farewell to Touareg, a model that has been on the market for 24 years.
Volkswagen has announced its decision to discontinue the Touareg SUV in 2026, marking the end of a 23-year journey in the premium market for the German automaker. No direct replacement for the Touareg is currently planned, but the mid-size SUV's role will be indirectly filled by the lower-cost Tayron model.
The Touareg, first launched in 2002 and developed alongside the original Porsche Cayenne, has been VW's flagship premium SUV. However, with changing market demands and Volkswagen prioritizing smaller crossovers and electrification, the model's relevance has decline.
The Tayron, set to become Volkswagen's largest SUV model in the UK after the Touareg's discontinuation, offers a 2500kg towing capacity in 2.0 TSI 4Motion guise and boasts a more versatile interior. The decision not to press ahead with an electric MPV model is partly due to engineering capacity at Volkswagen's Braunschweig R&D centre being pushed to the limit by potentially more important models, such as the electric Golf.
Alongside the Touareg, Volkswagen is also retiring the ID 5 electric crossover from its lineup. The ID 5, launched in 2021, was primarily aimed at the Chinese market but failed to gain significant traction there. The ID 5's direction has been shifted towards crossovers and SUV models, as the market is demanding these types of vehicles. The planned discontinuation of the ID 5 is set for 2027 as part of efforts to streamline the range and concentrate on high-volume models.
This strategic shift reflects Volkswagen's refocusing away from premium SUVs under the VW brand towards more volume-driven, lower-cost SUVs like the Tayron and Tiguan, as well as emphasizing electric vehicles in the ID range. The retirement of the Touareg and ID 5 signals Volkswagen's exit from the premium segment under its own brand, which will likely cede luxury SUV customers to sister brands like Audi and Porsche within the VW Group.
Skoda, another brand within the VW Group, is now considering a compact MPV model as part of its future line-up, but no immediate plans for a direct successor to the Touran have been announced. The Tayron, with its broader appeal and lower cost, fulfills much of the Touareg's role, making it an attractive alternative for customers.
This shift will reduce Volkswagen’s premium market presence under its own badge but streamlines the brand to be more competitive in popular high-volume segments and electric vehicles. Premium market coverage will rely increasingly on VW Group’s luxury marques.
[1] Volkswagen to discontinue Touareg SUV in 2026 [2] Volkswagen to retire Touareg and ID 5 models [3] Volkswagen to focus on core SUVs and EVs, exit premium market [4] Volkswagen to discontinue Touareg and ID 5, shift focus to lower-cost SUVs and EVs [5] Volkswagen to retire Touareg and ID 5 models, marking end of 23-year push into premium market
- Volkswagen is set to discontinue the Touareg SUV, a model that has been their flagship premium SUV for 23 years, in 2026, as part of a strategic shift towards core SUVs and electric vehicles.
- Apart from the Touareg, Volkswagen is also retiring the ID 5 electric crossover, marking the end of their 23-year push into the premium market, with plans to focus on lower-cost SUVs like the Tayron and electric vehicles.
- Volkswagen will discontinue the Touareg and ID 5 models to streamline their range, emphasizing their focus on high-volume segments, lower-cost SUVs, and electric vehicles, leaving premium market coverage to other brands within the VW Group, such as Audi and Porsche.
