After 26 Years Volkswagen Says Bye Bye To The Touareg SUV

According to the British media, the production of the Volkswagen Touareg is supposed to end in 2026. A successor is not expected, as the brand turns its attention to more profitable vehicles in key, high-volume segments.

According to a report by British Autocar, citing insider sources, the decision reflects a change in priorities at Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg. Although Volkswagen has not officially confirmed the move, it would be in line with the company’s wider strategy to simplify its portfolio and double down on its strongest-performing categories.

Launched in 2002 as a sister model to the Porsche Cayenne, the original Touareg was the passion project of then-president Ferdinand Piech, aiming to elevate the Volkswagen brand alongside the now-discontinued Phaeton luxury sedan. The luxury SUV not only broadened Volkswagen’s appeal but also played a key role in allocating the development costs of the first Cayenne, which would later become a key success story for the Stuttgart brand.

The second-generation Touareg followed in 2010, and the current third-generation model, which never made it to North America, appeared in 2018. It shares the MLB Evo platform with other high-end models from the Volkswagen Group, including the Audi Q7 and Q8, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, and Lamborghini Urus. The latest update came in 2023. If the model is discontinued in 2026, it would mirror the eight-year life cycle of its predecessors.

Volkswagen’s exit from the premium SUV segment leaves room for related brands like Audi and Porsche to pursue business in higher segments. Meanwhile, Volkswagen will continue to focus on models such as the Tiguan, currently the brand’s global bestseller.

First-Gen Model (Facelift)

• Also See: U.S. Import Taxes Cost Volkswagen €1.3 Billion In Losses