Volkswagen retires the Touareg: luxury SUV bows out with a ‘Final Edition’ farewell
Volkswagen’s flagship SUV, the Touareg, which ushered the brand into the luxury segment more than two decades ago, is heading for retirement. Production of internal-combustion versions will end during 2026, marked by a special edition aptly named the Touareg Final Edition. Orders are open until the end of March 2026, with prices starting at 75,025 euros.
The model closes a chapter that began in 2002 alongside the debut of the Phaeton. According to Volkswagen, the Final Edition symbolises the brand’s journey through three generations and over 1.2 million Touaregs sold worldwide.
The farewell version stands out for its attention to detail and understated luxury. The rear door window frames carry laser-engraved Final Edition lettering, the gear lever is embossed with the same logo, and illuminated sill plates and a dashboard badge echo the theme inside. Multi-colour ambient lighting is standard on Elegance and higher trims.
At the top of the range sits the Touareg R eHybrid, still Volkswagen’s most powerful production model. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers 340 kW (462 bhp) and 700 Nm of torque, reaching a top speed of 250 km/h. It also represents a symbolic bridge between the diesel age and Volkswagen’s electric future.
Over the years, the Touareg became more than just an SUV. The first generation made headlines in 2006 when a V10 TDI towed a Boeing 747, shifting 155 tonnes over 150 metres with a standard engine. It went on to win three consecutive Dakar Rallies, claim victory in the 2005 DARPA autonomous vehicle challenge in the US, and set a record on the 22,750-kilometre Panamericana Highway, completing the route in just 11 days.
As the combustion-powered Touareg fades into history, it remains a symbol of an era when Volkswagen proved it could build power and prestige as naturally as it built cars for the people. The next chapter will be written in electric current.
