Volkswagen stopped selling the Touareg in the United States in 2017, replacing it with the more affordable and family-friendly Atlas, which continues to be VW’s top-selling SUV in the country. While the Touareg has remained available in other global markets, a new report suggests that VW will stop producing the model in 2026—marking 24 years since its original launch.
The information comes from unnamed insiders who spoke with Autocar. According to them, Volkswagen doesn’t plan to build a direct replacement for the Touareg. Instead, the company will focus on offering more affordable vehicles for budget-conscious buyers.
VW launched the Touareg in 2002 for the 2003 model year. It was part of a joint project with Porsche and Audi that also led to the creation of the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. At the time, Volkswagen aimed to move upmarket, designing the Touareg and the Phaeton sedan to showcase a more premium image. While the Phaeton didn’t last long in the U.S., the Touareg remained on sale for over a decade—though sales eventually declined.
Volkswagen isn’t ignoring customers in Europe who want a large SUV. In October, the brand revealed the new Tayron, a model related to the Tiguan sold in the U.S. The Tayron offers both two-row and three-row options and is meant to meet the needs of European families.
If this report is accurate, the end of the Touareg marks the close of a significant chapter for Volkswagen. The SUV once stood out for its bold engineering and powertrain options, including a V10 diesel that was even sold in the U.S. Now, it appears the Touareg’s legacy may soon become a part of VW’s history.
