Category: Compact MPV 
Price Range: £16,225 to £17,945
Easy to drive, loads of safety kit, solid build, excellent suspension and handling, great for towing.
No character, no single 'must-have' or distinguishing feature, van-like looks.
The Touran is immensely competent, but not particularly thrilling; not a car to inspire passion, devotion, or even family fondness.
The ride is good, the Touran coping well with broken and rutted surfaces, but it may be too stiffly sprung for some tastes. The choice of wheels and tyres is a factor, though, with the fatter-tyred models a little more forgiving. The Touran's ride is certainly not cushioning and cosseting, though by the same token, it doesn't wallow, roll or pitch either - the body control on corners is superb.
Noise is kept to a minimum, and even the diesels are quiet and well-insulated - from the interior at least, there's still a distinct tell-tale clatter from the outside.
The standard cloth seats are supportive - though like the suspension, they're on the firm side - and well-bolstered; the leather-upholstered seats are a little softer and more armchair-like.
The boxy structure of the Touran may not be pretty, but it allows for generous headroom for all occupants and a narrow but tall load space in the rear. It feels considerably larger than the Golf estate, especially the width of the cabin, and there are three proper individual seats in the middle row rather than a flat, narrow bench. Legroom in these seats is more than adequate for adults, and will give kids plenty of room to kick their feet.
The additional two seats in the rear are smaller, with only a little gap for knees and feet, but are big enough for kids (or occasional/emergency extra grown-up passengers). Load space when all seven seats are in place is limited, but no more so than in any other seven-seater, and the remaining cargo area seems larger than in many rivals. Load space with the rearmost seats folded flat (or not fitted at all) is excellent, and with all passenger seats out, cavernous.
Sound quality from the sound system is great, it is clear and simple to operate and it can be integrated with an easy-to-follow and informative satellite navigation package, with full colour mapping on top specs. All models, including the basic S, have a CD player as standard, and other info/entertainment equipment includes phone kits and two 12-volt sockets for PlayStations and MP3 players.
