Volkswagen Touareg vs Lexus GX
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 Lexus GX opens at $119,950. That makes the Volkswagen Touareg the more affordable entry point by $33,160.
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 $131,945 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Touareg by roughly $3,845 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 Lexus GX gets a 14-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus GX 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 Lexus GX responds with a Petrol making 262kW and 650Nm, paired to a 10-speed auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The Lexus GX has the clear power advantage at 262kW 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, 66mm shorter than the Lexus GX at 4,955mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 390L in the Lexus GX, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 420L advantage. The Lexus GX seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Lexus GX 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 12.0m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
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 $2,850/year for the Lexus GX. That is a $769 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Touareg.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $2,850 (Lexus GX). The Volkswagen Touareg saves you roughly $769 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 (Lexus GX). 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 Lexus GX if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Lexus'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 $769 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 Lexus GX?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus GX by $33,160.
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 — Lexus GX 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 Lexus GX makes the most power at 262kW. 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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