The Volkswagen Touareg does 19.1 mpg combined (17 city, 22.8 highway), which works out to about $2,010 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 22.1 mpg while 4.2L 8-cyl does 14.5 — a difference of $910 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Volkswagen Touareg engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Volkswagen Touareg ranges from 22.1 down to 14.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $910 a year across 6 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 19.3 / 26.9 | 2009–2016 | $1,738 | |
| 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 20 / 24 | 2011–2015 | $1,829 | |
| 5L 10-cyl | 15 / 20.5 | 2004–2008 | $2,220 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 15 / 20.3 | 2007–2017 | $2,259 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 13.7 / 19 | 2004–2006 | $2,446 | |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 12.5 / 17.5 | 2005–2009 | $2,648 |
What that actually costs
The Volkswagen Touareg burns a gallon every 19.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 628 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.168 |
| Fuel per year | $2,010 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,050 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$80 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,122 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen Touareg gives up 5.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 22.8 out there against 17 in town, a 34% drop worth $575 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.8 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Touareg changed over the years
The Touareg peaked in 2016 at 24 mpg (21 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 15 — 9 mpg apart, or $960 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2017 car does 19. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2016 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2015 | 20 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2014 | 20 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2013 | 20 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2012 | 19.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2011 | 19.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 15 / 21 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2008 | 14.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2007 | 14.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2006 | 14.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2005 | 13 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,327 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 25 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Touareg — 6 engines across 2004–2017. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,122. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volkswagen Touareg get?
19.1 mpg combined on average — 17 in the city and 22.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2017.
How much does a Volkswagen Touareg cost in fuel per year?
About $2,010 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,050 over five years, or 0.168 dollars a mile.
Which Touareg engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 22.1 mpg, against 14.5 for the 4.2L 8-cyl — a difference of about $910 a year.
Is the Touareg good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Touareg figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volkswagen Touareg is $4,122 against the $2,010 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 14 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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