The Volkswagen Touareg is gearing up for a mid-cycle refresh. New spy photos show the automaker testing the updated SUV, but well-placed stickers attempt to hide the changes. The updated Touareg will feature a revised design, but won’t receive major changes. Customers should expect subtle changes to its exterior appearance and minor changes to the cabin.
It remains a mystery whether Volkswagen will make any changes to the Touareg’s powertrain lineup. The most powerful available is the 3.0 liter turbocharged engine which is paired with an electric motor. The setup produces 456 horsepower (340 kilowatts) and 516 pound-feet (700 Newton-meters) of torque in the Touareg R.
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This example wears a hybrid badge on the liftgate, demonstrating the multiple electrification features. Previous spy shots hinted at Volkswagen making some powertrain changes, but we’ll have to wait for the full debut to learn more.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the hotter R variant. The previous example lacked the plastic cladding around the wheel wells. However, Volkswagen has kept the subtler styling details of this SUV hidden. Close inspection reveals that automakers use stickers that mimic the look of current models to hide changes. They are clearly visible at the front, appearing to hide some of the styling tweaks around the headlights. There are also sizable stickers on the lower bumper and intakes, which should get a new look.
At the rear, the Touareg looks like the current model. The taillights appear to have kept the same inside, and we couldn’t find any sticker trying to hide the new design. While the test vehicle’s sport trapezoidal tailpipes are like the Touareg R, it lacks the larger roof spoiler in the trunk. Inside, we don’t believe VW will be making any significant updates, but previous photos suggest the automaker is trying to hide the dashboard, so there could be some tweaks.
Volkswagen does not offer the Touareg in the US, instead selling the Atlas to US consumers. The current-generation Touareg went into production in 2018, and this example is a mid-cycle model update. The SUV looks dealer-ready, so we expect VW to make its debut this year.
