Volkswagen Touareg vs Ford Mustang Mach-E
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.
Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Touareg starts from $86,790 before on-road costs, while the Ford Mustang Mach-E opens at $86,990. That makes the Volkswagen Touareg the more affordable entry point by $200.
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 $95,689 respectively.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Volkswagen Touareg, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Ford Mustang Mach-E by roughly $6,015 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
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E counters with head-up display, heated front seats and ventilated seats that the Volkswagen Touareg does not offer. 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 Ford Mustang Mach-E responds with a Electric Motor making 198kW and 580Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E has the clear power advantage at 198kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 1.1s 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, 176mm longer than the Ford Mustang Mach-E at 4,713mm (2,984mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Ford Mustang Mach-E generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 402L in the Ford Mustang Mach-E, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 408L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m diameter
Average
Based on 12.0m 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 $878/year for the Ford Mustang Mach-E. That is a $1,203 annual difference in favour of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $878 (Ford Mustang Mach-E). The Ford Mustang Mach-E saves you roughly $1,203 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 (Ford Mustang Mach-E). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Ford Mustang Mach-E if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Ford'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 Ford Mustang Mach-E will save you roughly $1,203 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 Ford Mustang Mach-E?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Ford Mustang Mach-E by $200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Touareg uses the least fuel at 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Touareg all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
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 Ford Mustang Mach-E makes the most power at 198kW. 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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