2015 Volkswagen Touareg — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2015 Volkswagen Touareg

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $37,226–$49,087
Fuel Economy 13 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $4,038/yr
The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg scores 6.9/10 at Carivo, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $4,038/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2015 Volkswagen Touareg

Engine3.6L 6-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG17 / 23 MPG
Combined MPG19 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,900
CO₂ Emissions462 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$37,226–$49,087

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg

The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.9/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10, while Value at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.6/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.6/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.2/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.6/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $37,226–$49,087, 13 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Touareg sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.3/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg ranks #2137 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 13% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,226 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2015 Volkswagen Touareg

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$20,190 ($4,038/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Touareg Year Should You Buy?

Across the Touareg model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2017 6.9/10$40,286 Read review →
2016 6.8/10$38,756 Read review →
2015 (this review) 6.9/10$37,226

Pros & Cons — 2015 Volkswagen Touareg

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Value-for-money is a weak point; comparable alternatives offer more for the price
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 13 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2015 Volkswagen Touareg (2 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Unknown or other
16/05/2018 · 18V329000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the…
Service brakes, hydraulic / Pedals and linkages
24/03/2016 · 16V170000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2015 Volkswagen Touareg that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2015 Volkswagen Touareg

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?

We rate the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg's reliability 6.6/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg worth buying?

It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #2137 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 13% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg cost?

The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg starts at $37,226 and ranges up to $49,087 across trims (MSRP when new). At 13 MPG, expect roughly $4,038/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Touareg years should you avoid?

No standout weak years: across the 3 Touareg model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (6.9/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.

What problems does the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg have?

The documented issues for the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Unknown or other, Service brakes, hydraulic (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Volkswagen Touareg

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More Volkswagen Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.