2015 Volkswagen Touareg
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 17 / 23 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,900 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 462 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $37,226–$49,087 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
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 →
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 →
| 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 |
| Insurance | Varies 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.
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.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 |
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 →
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).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.