REVIEW: 2025 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line - Quiet, capable, criminally underrated

Everyone knows the usual suspects in the luxury SUV scene — the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Volvo XC90. Flashy badges, fancy ambient lighting, and monthly instalments that scream, "I’ve arrived." But here's a question: what if you’ve already arrived, and you don’t need to prove it anymore?

Enter the 2025 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line. The name may not turn heads in this modern day or at the valet, but the experience behind the wheel just might.

Now locally assembled (CKD) in Pekan, the Touareg comes in at a much more competitive price of RM384,972 (RM402k with Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP), significantly undercutting its continental rivals while still offering a comparable level of luxury, comfort, and performance. 

It’s the SUV for grown-ups who want all the good stuff, minus the drama.

Looks that whisper

Visually, the Touareg R-Line doesn't shout for attention, and that’s the whole point. It wears a clean, confident look with just enough aggression from the R-Line kit to keep things interesting.

There’s no oversized grille or overly sculpted panels – just strong lines, a wide stance, and the kind of proportions that make it look expensive without being obnoxious.

Inside, things are just as restrained but undeniably premium. The 15-inch Discover Premium infotainment touchscreen sits seamlessly beside a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, forming one sweeping digital command centre.

Materials are top-notch, the ambient lighting is tasteful (not nightclub-ish), and there's a beautiful simplicity in how everything is laid out. It feels more like a boutique hotel lounge than a rolling tech demo.

There are very comfortable high-quality leather seats, soft-touch dash materials, and subtle gloss black and brushed metal accents. Rear seat passengers are treated to ample legroom and their own climate control zone, and while there aren’t massaging seats like some higher-end rivals, the comfort level is still high.

This cabin is designed for long hauls and family weekends, not for show-and-tell at valet drop-offs.

Power with maturity

Under the hood sits a 3.0-litre V6 TSI engine pushing out 340 PS and 450 Nm, paired to an 8-speed auto and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. It gets from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds — not bad for something weighing north of two tonnes.

But what really stands out is the delivery. It’s not eager like a small turbo engine always looking to impress. It’s smooth, confident, and relaxed. The Touareg doesn’t jump at the throttle; it flows.

That mature delivery extends to the ride quality too. Thanks to standard-fit self levelling air suspension, this SUV glides over bumps and rough patches with aplomb.

Whether you're creeping through KL traffic, going through the Klang Valleys’s patchy bad roads or cruising up to Genting, it remains composed and comfortable.

Want to raise it for floods or steep car park exits? One button. Want it to squat for better aerodynamics on the highway? Also one button.

In Comfort mode, it isolates you from potholes and uneven tarmac. In Sport, it tightens up just enough for you to forget you're in a two-tonne SUV. And if you ever find yourself off the beaten path, the adjustable ride height can give you added ground clearance to take on mild off-road trails without stress.

Stuff you’ll love (and brag about quietly)

Let’s talk toys. The IQ.Light HD Matrix headlights are seriously clever – able to throw a precise beam while blanking out oncoming traffic. The Dynaudio 730W 13-speaker system delivers theatre-level audio. There’s a panoramic sunroof, 4-zone climate control, and one of the best 360-degree camera systems in the game. 

Oh, and there’s even a feature called night vision, which turns the centre of the meter cluster into a tactical looking display, showing you 130 metres ahead using the infrared camera, which reacts to any thermal radiation. People and animals can thus be detected earlier especially when the roads or view in front is not well lit.

The large central touchscreen is your hub for everything from navigation to drive modes, and while it can feel a little overwhelming at first, once you get the hang of it, it’s highly customisable and fluid.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present, and the system responds well to voice commands. You also get a head-up display, configurable instrument cluster, and driver assistance systems like lane keep, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and emergency braking.

All of this comes together to create an SUV that feels... sorted. It doesn’t try too hard. Everything is there because it’s useful, not because it’ll make good TikTok content. Well,the Night Vision feature might!

The not-so-great stuff

But let’s be honest – the Touareg isn’t perfect, no car is.

First, there’s the fuel economy. With a 3.0L V6 under the bonnet, it’s not going to sip petrol like a hybrid. Expect around 10 to 12 litres per 100 km with mixed driving, more if you drive it hard. That’s fine for a car like this, but when your friends are flexing their plug-in hybrid with some sort of electric feel, it stings a little.

Then there’s the issue of perception. Tell someone you spent nearly RM385k on a Volkswagen, and you might get a raised eyebrow. It’s not because the car isn’t worth it – it is – but because in Malaysia, badge matters. BMW means status. Mercedes means success. Volkswagen? That’s still “Volks” to many unfortunately, even if we don’t look at it that way.

Resale value is another sore spot. Historically, large VW models in Malaysia haven’t held value well. The Touareg’s niche presence and petrol-only engine mean it might depreciate faster than a comparable X5 or GLE, but then again, all large vehicles with a German based badge suffer from this.

Finally, the tech – while impressive – can be a bit much. That massive 15-inch screen, while beautiful, isn’t the fastest. The haptic touch controls on the steering wheel and climate panel can also feel fiddly, especially when you're on the move.

There are moments where you just want a good old-fashioned knob or button. This is especially true for the climate control, as you have to access it from the touchscreen.  

Another omission is the lack of hybrid or electrified variants. For a car playing in the RM400k league, the absence of any form of electrification feels like a missed opportunity. Even a mild hybrid system would’ve helped reduce fuel consumption and give it a boost of power.

So, who Is this for?

Anyway, the Touareg is still a very fine vehicle, this is for the grown-up luxury SUV buyer. The one who doesn’t need to be seen, but wants to enjoy every second behind the wheel. The person who values ride quality over badge perception, and real comfort over trend-chasing features.

It’s also great for those who want a powerful SUV but don’t trust all the new-fangled electrification just yet. No battery depletion anxiety here – just a tried-and-tested V6 with a proper AWD setup.

If you’re the kind of person who would rather enjoy a peaceful, well-sorted drive in a car that doesn’t scream for attention, the Touareg is right up your alley. It has presence, but not pretension.

Final thoughts

The 2025 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line is a criminally underrated SUV. It brings serious luxury, refinement, and performance to the table at a price that makes the other Germans look overpriced. It’s not for everyone – and that’s precisely the point.

If you want luxury that whispers instead of shouts, this is your car. But only if you’re okay with the fact that not everyone will get it. Some people buy cars for what they say about them. Others buy cars for how they make them feel.

The Touareg? It’s for the latter.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely – with caveats. You have to be the type who sees through the brand noise, who buys with your gut and drives with purpose. If that’s you, the Touareg will reward you with every kilometre.

Just don’t expect anyone to ask for a selfie with it. And maybe that’s the best part.

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Specifications

Drivetrain: 3.0L TSI V6 Turbocharged Petrol, 4Motion All-Wheel Drive
Max Power Output: 340 PS @ 5,300–6,400 rpm
Max Torque: 450 Nm @ 1,340–5,300 rpm
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic with Tiptronic
Seats: 5
Safety Features:
9 Airbags, IQ.DRIVE Safety Suite: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitoring), Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Proactive Occupant Protection System;
Vehicle Dynamics Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Descent Control, 360-Degree Area View Camera, Park Assist with Front & Rear Sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Dynamic Road Sign Display, Driver Fatigue Detection System.