Compact Exterior and Highly Functional Interior

The VolkswagenGolf Touran"Golf Touran" is a minivan with a user-friendly size. Its overall length is 4,535mm. While not much different in size from the 4,265mm Golf, it offers seating for seven and high functionality.

After 9 years,The fully redesigned Golf Touranalso presents a pleasing visual impression. The sharp front mask, with its horizontal lines reminiscent of the new Passat, is attractive. It feels like a sharp look that appeals to a wide range of people, from families to those with hobbies.

The engine is a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder. Compared to the previous model, output is up by 10ps to 150ps (110kW). Torque is also up by 30Nm to 250Nm. Meanwhile, the weight has been reduced by 20kg. Volkswagen Group Japan touts it as "top-class performance in compact MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles)." The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch, 2-pedal system, with front-wheel drive.

The Touran's greatest feature is likely the combination of its compact exterior dimensions and highly functional interior. While the body is 130mm longer, 35mm wider, and 30mm lower than the previous model, the wheelbase has been extended by 110mm. The second-row seats can slide independently front and back, and the third-row seats fold down with a single touch.

When the five seats other than the front seats are folded, a luggage floor with no steps can be created. The cargo space with the third-row seats folded is a generous 917 liters. Furthermore, with the second-row seats also folded, it expands to 1,857 liters. The front passenger seatback can also be folded down. This offers surprising storage capacity for its compact exterior dimensions. Whether it's a surfboard or a bicycle, physical storage is possible. However, the floor space for the third-row seats is not recessed, making it difficult for adults to sit for extended periods. It's perfect for child seats.

Three trim levels are available. The entry-level model is the TSI Trendline (¥2,847,000). Above that is the TSI Comfortline (¥3,170,000). The top model is the TSI Highline (¥3,769,000). The powertrain is the same for all. The Trendline, which is made to order, has simplified equipment, and features like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control cannot be added even as options.

The handling was surprisingly good.

Seats Reminiscent of French Cars of Yesteryear

The Golf Touran is perfectly suited for the purpose of "using and abusing" a car as a tool. It's the kind of car you want to drive every day, making it more familiar and comfortable over time, much like outdoor gear, a leather jacket, or even a cooking pot.

The TSI Highline is the premium model with abundant features. The seats use microfleece, offering a refreshingly new texture. In fact, the seats are immediately impressive upon sitting. The seat cushion has a sense of thickness, providing a soft, yielding sensation as your body sinks in. It's a pleasant feeling unlike any other car, and it reminded me of French cars from the 1980s. They offer excellent vibration absorption and support, likely leading to less fatigue on long journeys. This alone made me want the TSI Highline.

The 1.4-liter engine feels sufficient for driving. With maximum torque available from 1,500 rpm, there's no sluggishness during initial acceleration or intermediate acceleration. While it doesn't offer astonishing acceleration, it suits the car's character, which emphasizes stability and security. It's quite pleasant.

The TSI Highline is equipped with a "Driving Profile" function that allows selection of modes like Eco and Sport. There's enjoyment in choosing the right mode, such as Eco on the highway or Sport on winding roads. However, even the TSI Comfortline, without this feature, offers a perfectly enjoyable drive. The Golf Touran itself is likely well-engineered from the ground up.

The handling can be described as stable. There's a reasonable amount of play around the center point, and while it's not sporty, it allows for fatigue-free driving. The line tracing is accurate, and if a sports car is defined by the car leading the driver, the Golf Touran is faithful to the driver's intentions. It becomes more familiar the more you drive it. This also contributes to a pleasant driving feel.

While not silent, the quietness is such that you won't be fatigued by noise at a cruising speed of 100 km/h. You can hear some wind noise around the windshield and road noise, but it's not excessive. The windshield is more raked than in the previous model to reduce air resistance, which likely contributes to this.

What impressed me while driving was the natural feel of the lane keep assist.

Comprehensive Safety Features

A key characteristic of the new Golf Touran is its enhanced safety features. Volkswagen Group Japan promotes its safety technology enhancements across three stages: preventive safety, collision safety, and post-collision damage mitigation, under the name "All-in Safety."

Preventive safety includes "Adaptive Cruise Control," "Lane Keep Assist," "Driver Alert System," "Proactive Occupant Protection," and "Pre-crash Brake System" (some are optional).

Collision safety includes "9 airbags," "body rigidity," integrated "child seats" in the rear seats, and "Active Bonnet" for pedestrian protection. Post-collision damage mitigation is handled by the "Post Collision Brake System," which prevents chain-reaction accidents by braking after an initial collision.

Watching the crash test videos, it's impressive how well the Golf Touran's body is designed for occupant protection. Another aspect that impressed me during the drive was its natural feel.

The natural feel of the Lane Keep Assist was particularly noteworthy. This system uses a computer-controlled motor to prevent lane departure and maintain straight-line stability. In the past, such systems would cause a strong, jerky movement of the steering wheel, but in the Golf Touran, this "unnaturalness" has been eliminated. The intervention of the machinery is almost imperceptible.

I learned that the Golf Touran's Lane Keep Assist is the latest generation. It feels like the future of safety equipment lies in making the interaction with the machinery feel seamless. Including its safety features, the car feels closer to us now. This is perhaps the most impressive aspect.

Volkswagen Golf Touran | Volkswagen Golf Touran
Body Size |
(TSI Trendline) Length 4,535 x Width 1,830 x Height 1,640 mm
(TSI Comfortline) Length 4,535 x Width 1,830 x Height 1,660 mm
(TSI Highline) Length 4,535 x Width 1,830 x Height 1,660 mm
Wheelbase | 2,785 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,560 kg
Engine | 1,394cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Turbo
Max Output | 110 kW (150 ps) / 5,000-6,000 rpm
Max Torque | 250 Nm (25.5 kgm) / 1,500-3,500 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed DSG
Drivetrain | FF
Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension | 4-link
Seating Capacity | 7 people
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 18.5 km/ℓ
Tires | 205/60R16 (215/55R17 for TSI Highline)
Price | (TSI Trendline) ¥2,847,000, (TSI Comfortline) ¥3,170,000, (TSI Highline) ¥3,769,000