2016 Volkswagen Touareg — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is an SUV offered with 2 engines (3L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 23–29 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Volkswagen Touareg workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 29 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 3L 6-cyl supercharged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 3L 6-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 3L 6-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 270 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,000 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg across 2 engines (3L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 19 to 24 mpg (US), or 23 to 29 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/28) | 270 | $4,000 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/23) | 287 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
Running Costs: 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Volkswagen Touareg at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,000 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Tires (1), Service brakes (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Tires — campaign 16V243000, reported 26 April 2016. Risk: If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Service brakes — campaign 16V170000, reported 24 March 2016. Risk: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. The most-reported areas are Engine (22), Unspecified (10), Forward collision avoidance (8). Complaints include 3 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 26 complaints across the 8 Volkswagen Touareg model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (22 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Tyres (1 recall campaign) — Check tyre age and wear and ask about any tyre recalls.
- Brakes (1 recall campaign) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Driver-assist sensors (8 owner complaints) — Check that driver-assist warning lights are off and sensors are clean and undamaged.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Volkswagen Touareg compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 270 g/km CO₂ figure is 17 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Volkswagen models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg's 29 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 270 g/km CO₂ figure is 57 g/km higher than the 213 g/km Volkswagen average.
Of the 8 Volkswagen Touareg model years we cover, the 2016 is the most economical on its best configuration (29 mpg UK combined). See every Volkswagen Touareg year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg: 3L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 3L 6-cyl turbo with a automatic (s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 23 to 29 mpg.
How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,000 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Tires (1), Service brakes (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?
Among the 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (22 complaints), Unspecified (10 complaints), Forward collision avoidance (8 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Volkswagen Touareg's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.