44 The Post • Motoring Motoring ROAD T ESTS BY AWARD WINNING MOTOR JOURNALIST NI CK F LETCHER
Experienced and award winning motoring journalist, Nick Fletcher,
helps us choose the best of the latest cars available.
VOLKSWAGENTOURAN SE FAMILy
with revised styling and extra equipment, aims to bolster its position as one of the stars of the class. Prices start from around £22,000 though you don’t get much standard kit at entry level. Most buyers will see best-value among the mid-range SE models which are very well equipped. The latest (and slightly larger) models have sharper visual styling and a fresh-look and more logical dashboard. There are no less than 47 cubby or pocket stowage places, easy to operate flat-fold seats for load versatility and decent space for five occupants. There are two extra pull-up seats at the back but they are in effect just for children. All seats fold individually and maximum loadspace with all seats down is 1,857 litres. There are petrol and diesel engines, and standard 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox. My test model came with a manual gearbox and an outstanding 2.0 litre 148 hp diesel engine. In SE Family trim, it is at the top end of the price range, laden with kit and costing £28,215. I found this engine an exceptionally smooth, quiet and economical 2.0 litre diesel unit with
F
irst launched back in 2003, the Volkswagen Touran has been a strong seller in the mid-size MPV sector and the latest version,
I FOUND THIS ENGINE AN EXCEPTIONALLY SMOOTH, QUIET AND
ECONOMICAL 2.0 LITRE DIESEL UNIT... I GOT A REMARKABLE 57 MPG
excellent power delivery, good mid-range punch and very impressive fuel economy. On one of my regular 450-mile test runs using city and rural roads and the motorway, and driving without special effort at achieving economy, I got a remarkable 57 mpg. None of the comparable rivals have managed to return even 50 mpg on the same route. The official fuel figure is 64.2 mpg combined, the 0-60 mph time is 9.3 seconds and top speed is 129 mph. The Touran is pleasant to drive, doesn’t feel over-large, provides good steering feedback and has
agile, assured handling and a comfortable ride. It scores highly for its overall functionality and you can clearly see why the Touran has notched up worldwide sales of 1.9 million – with 100,000 of those in the UK. Standard kit on the SE Family test version is
extensive and includes extra-large panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, an enhanced sat-nav system with 6.5 inch touch screen, and Pre-Crash preventative occupant protection. I spent one of my busiest weeks in the Touran
and found it hard to fault. My only quibble is that the touchscreen is very sensitive and on rougher surfaces you can easily jab the wrong radio station!
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