2003 Volkswagen Touran Comfort Line from UK and Ireland - Comments

Well the car is only 3 days old.

So there wasn't a chance for any thing to go wrong.

This car is fantastic.

I've had 3 Renault Scenic's, but the boot was just getting to be a tad too small.

I was extremely disappointed to hear the grand Scenic won't arrive till next year.

The Touran is quite plain, but I think that it's fantastic, it looks solid.

Behind the middle row of seats there is an option of 2 seats that fold flat into the boot floor. They are extremely convenient and it's much more neat than the Zafira.

It's a 1.9 TDI and is quite fast. A 0-60 time of about 13 seconds.

The ride is a bit firm, but the grip is exceptional and there is barely any bodyroll.

It is very practical and can be converted from a 7 seater to a 2 seater in 2 to 3 minutes. The good thing is the middle row of seats can be removed individualy. Volkswagen claim there are over 500 seating arrangements.

I went for a test drive in a Touran 2.0 16v TDi the other day. I was amazed how good the vehicle is. Superb engine and amazing cornering ability. The Touran is very well assembled and the inside cabin is so well designed. I am planning to buy one.

The Touran 2.0 diesel is definitely one of the best mini MPVs on the market. The inside cabin is very cleverly designed. No silly digical dashboard displays. Just very simply and practically designed. The performance and roadholding with this engine is quite outstanding. A highly recommended vehicle.

I own a Touran 1.9 Tdi S in the seven seater format. For a vehicle in the 16 k price range the quality of the build and level of standard equipment is very good. I have added optional alloys in place of the very average looking steel wheels and installed rear component audio speakers (not standard on the S model) to achieve a full 8 speaker system.

I do like the exterior design which gives a solid and compact appearance. The headlight cluster is efficient and the indicator lights on the side mirrors are an added safety touch. Inside the seats are very supportive and the adjustment on the seats and steering wheel allows for a very comfortable driving position, particularly for a vehicle of this type. The six speed gearbox is great for motorway driving allowing for good mpg and acceleration is good,although the engine is a little boomy when pushed at low revs. The Euro 4 diesel engine also allows company drivers to avoid the 3% tax surcharge.

The function of the screen washer jets and wipers is also very efficient and I like the way in which the wiper blades are out of sight when not in use (attention to detail).Although automatic sensors are not an option, the variable settings for the wipers is another useful feature.

As well as a decent cd head unit and speakers the set up allows for a phone kit to be installed with audio via the car speakers - far better than a separate phone speaker.

The seating is very flexible - with 5 seats the boot space is enormous, with seven boot space is minimal, but seven people can be carried comfortably. A word of warning - do not install the head rests for the rear two seats back to front - this is easily done (given the design of the head rest) as they can become locked and will need a visit to the dealer to release them,as I found to my cost.

The interior lighting is also well thought out with the courtesy lights able to come on when the car is unlocked or when the keys are released from the ignition, whilst they dim as soon as the car is started. The red / blue illuminations on the controls and dash are also aesthetically pleasing.

Finally I must also mention the well designed car key which folds away neatly like a pocket knife when not in use,whilst still allowing the remote functions to be used.

All in all it's a very grown up, practical MPV.

I can only comment from test-driving an SE with 2.0 TDI engine and manual gearbox. It is a great car to drive with a purposeful deep growl from the engine when acceleration is needed. The car sits very solidly on the road, the 6-speed gearbox is easy to use and the mirrors give a very clear view.

However, from the passenger point of view the seats seem hard, leg room is limited in both 2nd and 3rd rows and the boot is very small 7-up (Nb: VW dealers seem reluctant to unlock the tailgate on showroom models). The 2nd row centre console is a bit intrusive while the cup-holders seem fragile. Many of the multitude of storage compartments are too small to be useful and I suspect many items will become lost in them. The radio is very good though. Overall it was the comfort niggles and slightly disappointing mpg figures that led me towards the Renault Grand Scenic instead.

From my experience of driving various Tourans, it is sensible to ask for the normal suspension and indeed normal seats. The sports suspension is very hard. Although it improves the Touran's roadholding, the roadholding with the softer suspension is excellent for normal driving.

I've just signed up for a 'S' 1.9 TDI with a winter pack and rear tinted windows and am awaiting delivery. I have to say, it is superb to drive and very comfortable for my 6'4" frame and disagree with the comments of someone previously saying space was limited in the back seats. Even with the drivers seat right back (that's how I need it!), I can still fit comfortably behind in the 2nd row without problems. This is a test I always carry out when looking for a car and this one passed.

Overall a very pleasing car and I cannot wait to take delivery!

Have used my new company car Touran 1.9 SE for 4 weeks now. Thought i'd give an honest assessment pro's and con's sort of thing!

Pro's- Very well built, great ride, good on diesel (averaging about 42 combined driving normally!), very versatile, and in conclusion a great family car. Now some minor niggles: heavy to remove middle seats, handbrake when fully applied raises centre arm rest (poor design), rear two seats are not really for adults, they are best suited to younger children, note my 14 year old requires the seat in front to be pushed foward and then you guessed it, the other child moans!! Don't want to put people off the car though as I am still very pleased.