2024 Volkswagen Touareg Facelift Gets New Headlights & V6-Only Powertrains

Unlike its predecessors, the third-gen Volkswagen Touareg is the marque’s flagship SUV that is deemed ‘too good’ for several markets, including the US and Malaysia.  Five years and more than 200,000 units sold since its debut, VW has decided to give it a mid-life refresh to make it relevant against more advanced segment rivals.

2024 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line facelift

Visually, the facelifted Touareg gets new face design, featuring an updated grille design finished in gloss black, as well as new lower apron. More importantly, the VW IQ.Light HD LED matrix headlights are now offered as an option.

Unlike the IQ.Light we’ve seen on several VW ID models, this new one features more than 38,000 interactive LEDs that project more precisely than previous technology, while the main beam is now glare-free. As for the design, this light includes a width-span LED light bar, while the main headlights itself feature three projector bulbs with triple L-shaped elements.

Elsewhere, the facelifted SUV is offered with a few wheel options, with sizes ranging from 19-inch to 22-inch, where the latter is exclusively offered to the R-Line and R variants. On the other hand, the tailgate now gets an illuminated VW badge.

The facelift treatment also takes place on board, where the 2024 Touareg now gets the Innovision Cockpit as standard. Said cockpit system comprises of a fully-digital 12-inch driver’s display, as well as a bigger 15-inch infotainment display with improved wireless mobile connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), hi-res HD map data with lane-level navigation, as well as better voice control.

Visually, the Touareg cabin is imbued with glossy black switches and buttons, while the ambient lighting system now comes with “Touareg” lettering on the passenger side of the dashboard. Topping-off the cabin equipment list are the head-up display, plethora of 48-watt USB-C ports, as well as the optional 730-watt Dynaudio sound system.

2024 Volkswagen Touareg R facelift gets a bevy of blue trims

The range-topping R version, on the other hand, gets an extra set of special R equipment. This includes the blue-hued cabin trims, new leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, as well as a four-zone automatic aircond.

2024 Volkswagen Touareg Elegance facelift (left) and R-Line eHybrid PHEV (right)

Gone is the torque-y V8 diesel engine, as the facelifted Touareg is now exclusively powered by either a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol mill rated at 335 HP or the diesel-powered 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with two different state-of-tunes offered – 228 HP or 282 HP. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) eHybrid variant, on the other hand, gets the same 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine that is mated to an electric motor to deliver a total system output of 375 HP.

Meanwhile, the range-topping Touareg R eHybrid uses the same PHEV setup, with a higher state-of-tune of 456 HP. Both PHEV models come with a 14.1-kWh battery pack, however the firm is yet to confirm their electric-only ranges.

The 4Motion AWD system means that the Touareg can handle some light off-roading

Regardless of the powertrain, all Touareg facelift variants will get the 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) system as standard, as well as the 8-speed automatic gearbox. Other mechanical upgrades include the re-tuned suspension system for greater comfort, and the addition of roof load sensor. There are two optional mechanical upgrades offered for this model, which are the air suspension system and performance tyres.

The 2024 Volkswagen Touareg facelift will come in four variants for the European market, with the R-Line and R variants topping off the list. Price starts at €69,200 (RM341,904) for the baseline Basic spec, while the special R model, which will debut later this year, commands the highest asking price of €93,870 (RM463,795).