What Car? really rates the new Volkswagen Touran, and named it MPV of the Year for 2016. Having spent some time with the car, we can see why.

It may be only mid-sized by MPV standards, but VW has really made the most of the car’s dimensions. There’s lots of space inside, and five ISOFIX child seat fixings – not many rivals have ISOFIX mounts in the third row as well as in the middle. What also separates the VW from most MPV rivals is how classy and well made it feels.

With all seven seats in place luggage space is relatively tight, but with the third row folded away we found room for a full load of holiday luggage. However, there’s a repair kit under the floor and a spare wheel isn’t available as an option, which may put some caravanners off.

If you don’t mind relying on a can of gunk to get you home, the VW Touran is very capable tow car. It’s nearly as stable as a Passat at speed, and that’s saying something.

It wasn’t so adept in the lane-change test, though, struggling to keep control of the caravan on faster runs.

Other than a little wheelspin when pulling away, the Touran had no trouble with the hill start.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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