BMW iX vs Volkswagen Touareg
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW iX scores higher, 69 vs 68
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
BMW iX
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$142,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 300kW
- Energy use
- 20 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 500L
Top CarSorted Score, 69 vs 68, but the Volkswagen Touareg is $56,110 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volkswagen Touareg
21 of 27 standard · 3 optional · 1 not offered · 2 no dataFrom
$86,790
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Engine
- Diesel
- Power
- 170kW
- Economy
- 7.6 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 810L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$142,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$86,790RRP
- with the BMW iX's standard kit: at least $86,790 (3 options priced only inside packages)
3 added options
- Head-Up Display: priced only inside the Sound & Comfort Package
- Premium Audio: no price printed
- Panoramic Roof: no price printed
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport
$142,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $638 a week in repayments ($142,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI
$86,790
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $378 a week in repayments ($86,790 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Volkswagen Touareg starts $56,110 lower on RRP.
Matching the BMW iX's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the Volkswagen Touareg, and 3 are priced only inside packages whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$378/wk(≈$1,639/mo)
Estimate on the Volkswagen Touareg at $86,790 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iXDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Volkswagen Touareg a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW iX and 8 on the Volkswagen Touareg.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX
- REC-005560 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005490 · published 1 Aug 2022Due to a software issue with the airbag control unit, the airbag warning lamp and warning message may not be illuminated in the instrument cluster as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- 1 more on the model page.
Volkswagen Touareg
- REC-006525 · published 8 Jan 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective and overheat during charging.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- REC-004990 · published 4 Nov 2021If the tailgate is opened and manually pushed up too far the pre-compressed coil springs may become detached from the boot strut and detach with great force from the mounting.Year range on the notice: 2019
- REC-001677 · published 23 Jul 2021Some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 3 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
105.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Touareg. The Volkswagen Touareg counters with power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Touareg offers leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW iX and 2-zone in the Volkswagen Touareg.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW iX uses a Electric producing 300kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds.
The Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The BMW iX has the clear power advantage at 300kW vs 170kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX is 2.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX measures 4,965mm long on a 3,000mm wheelbase, 76mm longer than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW iX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the BMW iX and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 310L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Volkswagen Touareg's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW iX costs about $960 a year (20 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Volkswagen Touareg about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volkswagen Touareg).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX: more power (300kW against 170kW).
The Volkswagen Touareg: the lower starting price ($86,790 against $142,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (810L against 500L) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,500kg).
The Verdict
BMW iX scores higher, 69 vs 68
The BMW iX scores 69 to the Volkswagen Touareg's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BMW iX ahead by 23 points), safety (BMW iX ahead by 21 points), technology (BMW iX ahead by 16 points). Boot space with the seats up: 500L in the BMW iX, 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$378/wk(≈$1,639/mo)
Estimate on the Volkswagen Touareg at $86,790 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iXDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX and Volkswagen Touareg?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX by $56,110.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Volkswagen Touareg, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX makes the most power at 300kW. The BMW iX is quickest to 100km/h in 5.1s.
Track the BMW iX & Volkswagen Touareg
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
