Volkswagen Touareg vs Lexus RX
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 RX opens at $84,900. That makes the Lexus RX the more affordable entry point by $1,890.
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 $93,390 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the Volkswagen Touareg and Lexus RX hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the Volkswagen Touareg and 90% for the Lexus RX.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Volkswagen Touareg and 8 in the Lexus RX. The Volkswagen Touareg adds a 360-degree camera that the Lexus RX misses.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen, while the Lexus RX gets a 14-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus RX counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, Lexus Premium Sound audio and ambient lighting 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 RX responds with a Hybrid making 179kW and 221Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The Lexus RX has the clear power advantage at 179kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 1.8s 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, 1mm shorter than the Lexus RX at 4,890mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 612L in the Lexus RX, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 198L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 2,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m 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 11.8m 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 $1,967/year for the Lexus RX. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the Lexus RX.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $1,967 (Lexus RX). The Lexus RX saves you roughly $114 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 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus RX). The Volkswagen Touareg has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus RX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus RX if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Touareg takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. The Lexus RX will save you roughly $114 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg has a clear edge. The Volkswagen Touareg adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. 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 RX?
The Lexus RX is the cheapest at $84,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Touareg by $1,890.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus RX uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Touareg and Lexus RX 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 has the best warranty?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus RX makes the most power at 179kW. 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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