The Volkswagen Touareg is gearing up for its mid-cycle refresh. New spy photos show the automaker testing the updated SUV, but well-placed stickers attempt to conceal the changes. The updated Touareg will feature a revised design, but it won’t receive a full makeover. Customers should expect subtle tweaks to its exterior appearance and minor interior tweaks.
It remains a mystery whether Volkswagen will make any changes to the Touareg’s powertrain lineup. The most powerful available is a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor. The configuration produces 456 horsepower (340 kilowatts) and 516 pound-feet (700 Newton-meters) of torque in the Touareg R.
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This example sports a hybrid badge on the tailgate, suggesting it features some electrification. Previous spy photos hinted that Volkswagen was making changes to the powertrain, but we’ll have to wait for the full debut to find out more.
Sadly, it doesn’t look like the hotter R variant. The previous example lacked plastic cladding around the wheel arches. However, Volkswagen hides the finer styling details of this SUV. Close inspection reveals that the automaker uses decals that mimic the look of the current model to hide the changes. They are clearly visible up front, appearing to conceal revamped styling around the headlights. There also appears to be a large sticker on the lower bumper and the air intakes, which should get a new look.
At the rear, the Touareg resembles the current model. The taillights seem to retain the same internals, and we can’t spot any stickers trying to hide a new design. While this tester sports trapezoidal tailpipes like the Touareg R, it lacks its beefier roof spoiler on the trunk. Inside, we don’t think VW will make any major updates, but past photos show the automaker trying to hide the dashboard, so there could be some tweaks.
Volkswagen does not offer the Touareg in the United States, but instead sells the Atlas to American consumers. The current-generation Touareg entered production in 2018, and this example is the model’s mid-cycle update. The SUV looks ready for dealer lots, so we expect VW to launch it this year.
