The updated 2024 Volkswagen Touareg is due for reveal in May 2023, and is confirmed for South Africa.

In the luxury big SUV segment, the Germans reign supreme with Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche all vying for a slice of the pie. However, there’s another German that’s often forgotten. Remember the Volkswagen Touareg? Exactly.

With its rivals all currently recently being updated (BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE) or in the process of facelift final testing (Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne), the Volkswagen Touareg needs to keep pace.

The good news is the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg is happening. Volkswagen released some official teaser images and details of the updated model undergoing final testing in the frozen north and the great news is that this model is confirmed for SA.

2024 Volkswagen Touareg coming to South Africa?

Yes, that’s right. The updated Touareg is earmarked for a local market introduction in the 4th quarter of 2023, following on from its global reveal in May 2023.

The current iteration was launched locally back in September 2018 priced from R999 800. Right now at the time of writing in February 2023, the Touareg is listed from R1331800.

MORE: Browse the latest Volkswagen SUV Prices and Specifications here

What’s New?

While what you see here is a camouflaged prototype vehicle, there are some interesting design elements if you look closely. The easy ones are the lights, and the new style of Volkswagen’s lightbar on the front grille makes its debut on this model. The rear has an illuminated rear Volkswagen badge, which if carried through to the production model, will cause quite a stir.

An illuminated badge is already available in China and the USA, and this will be the first time we’re likely to see it for the European and SA markets. Upon closer inspection, there’s the new IQ Light technology, new-look grille and much larger air intakes. The tail light array has been tweaked too.

MORE: Here’s what we thought of the Touareg when we drove it back in 2018

Some interior cabin details have also been shared and the Innovision Cockpit features a 15-inch infotainment system and digital dashboard has been carried over, but there’s new software. Voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been introduced, but the controversial touchpads are present on the steering wheel. Volkswagen has said it will be doing away with these in the future, but we reckon the production of the Touareg facelift was too far along to justify such a radical change.

Thanks to customer feedback, the interior fit and finish of the trim has been upgraded, so things like the armrests and the center console panels are softer meaning more comfort.

Under the skin, the MLB platform and chassis has been tweaked for additional comfort, while the optional air suspension has been enhanced to provide a greater difference between the comfort and the sport settings. A roof sensor has been installed, meaning the car will take into account the fitment of a roofbox and adjust things like the stability control and other assistance systems.

There was no mention of the engines and transmissions, but we’d think its fair to assume that the current engine line-up will be carried over. Overseas markets get the option of a 3.0-litre V6 TSI petrol, a 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel, a plug-in hybrid as well as a performance hybrid with R badging. In South Africa, we got the diesel V6 which offered up 190 kW and 600 Nm, going to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Be on the look out for the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg, which will be revealed in May 2023.