Volkswagen Touareg vs Audi Q7
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Volkswagen Touareg
From $86,790
SUV
Diesel
170kW
7.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
810L
Audi Q7
From $102,296
SUV
4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection system, turbocharging
185kW
9.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
740L
Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Touareg starts from $86,790 before on-road costs, while the Audi Q7 opens at $102,296. That makes the Volkswagen Touareg the more affordable entry point by $15,506.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $95,469 and $112,526 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Touareg by roughly $2,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen, while the Audi Q7 gets a 10.1-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Touareg stands out with wireless charging that you will not find on the Audi Q7. The Audi Q7 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Touareg uses a Diesel producing 170kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The Audi Q7 responds with a 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection system, turbocharging making 185kW and 370Nm, paired to a 8-speed tiptronic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Audi Q7 has the clear power advantage at 185kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Touareg measures 4,889mm long on a 2,894mm wheelbase, 163mm shorter than the Audi Q7 at 5,052mm (2,994mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi Q7 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 740L in the Audi Q7, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 70L advantage. The Audi Q7 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Audi Q7 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m to 12.5m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg and $2,651/year for the Audi Q7. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Touareg.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $2,651 (Audi Q7). The Volkswagen Touareg saves you roughly $570 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Audi Q7). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Audi Q7 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Touareg takes 4 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Volkswagen Touareg will save you roughly $570 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q7 by $15,506.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Touareg uses the least fuel at 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi Q7 makes the most power at 185kW. The Volkswagen Touareg is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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