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Volkswagen Sends Off Its Longest Running SUV with Another Last Hurrah That We Can’t Get

Europeans get the Final Edition, Aussies get the last Wolfsburg Edition and Americans are still left wanting.

Rear view of a blue Volkswagen Touareg SUV with illuminated taillights and black alloy wheels parked on a street.Volkswagen
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By Chris Chin

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Volkswagen might’ve discontinued the Touareg for Americans almost a decade ago. But it hasn’t been forgotten, especially here at the GP Motoring desk.

A bigger shock came when the Wolfsburg-based automaker announced its outright end with no successor in sight. Earlier this year, VW said the end of the road was near for its longest-running SUV.

However, VW wasn’t about to let it go out without a bang. So the company introduced the Final Edition model for markets where it was still available.

Blue Volkswagen SUV with black alloy wheels parked in an urban setting near modern glass buildings.
The Touareg was such an underrated SUV here in the States.
Volkswagen

Now, VW did the same for its customers down yonder, which only makes us wish we still got it until the end, even more.

The Aussie Touareg’s last hurrah

When VW announced the Touareg’s end, it simultaneously revealed the Final Edition. To make it really special, this meant taking the standard Touareg and the Touareg R and gussying them up a bit.

Blue Volkswagen SUV with black alloy wheels parked in an urban setting near a glass building.
At this point, it could pass as an Audi with some four-ringed badges on it.
Volkswagen

VW gave the Final Edition a unique exterior hue, top-spec Varenna leather seats, a standard tow package and even equipped soft-close doors and illuminated stainless steel door sills with “FINAL EDITION” engraved into them.

However, it seems like Australian customers are even luckier. Volkswagen down yonder pulled out all the stops and checked all the option boxes.

Interior of a Volkswagen car featuring a black leather steering wheel with VW logo, digital dashboard, and touchscreen infotainment system.
The Touareg Final Edition’s interior is about as nice as VWs can get.
Volkswagen

The move standardizes the top-spec 14-speak Dynaudio Consequence sound system, adds a driver’s heads-up display, four-zone climate control, power seats and adjustable steering column with memory and multi-zone climate control.

Close-up of a car dashboard with black leather trim and illuminated "FINAL EDITION" text near the air vent.
Final Edition badges festoon the last Touaregs, serving as a reminder that owners have something special.
Volkswagen

Basically, it’s a Touareg spec’d to Audi levels. And the want is strong.

The Final Edition could be had with any of the Touareg’s powertrain options. But for the Aussies, things are a bit different.

A final Wolfsburg Edition for down yonder

Blue Volkswagen SUV driving on a coastal road at sunset with mountains and water in the background.
VW discontinued the Touareg in the States to focus on selling the Atlas.
Volkswagen

For those on the opposite side of the planet, Volkswagen treated its Australian customers to a special Touareg Wolfsburg Edition model.

Not only does it carry over all the workings of the Final Edition, but it also adds a few more trinkets and drums up one of VW’s most iconic special models.

Blue Volkswagen Touareg SUV parked in front of a modern glass building.
Do you wish we still got the Touareg?
Volkswagen

The Touareg Wolfsburg Edition strictly comes with VW’s iconic 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive.

That turbodiesel V6 is known as one of the torquiest six-cylinders in all the land with 442 pound-feet of twist.

Three Volkswagen SUVs in silver, black, and blue parked on sandy ground near a stone wall with turquoise sea in the background.
After three generations, VW sold over 1.2 million Touaregs globally.
Volkswagen

VW Australia didn’t say how many Wolfsburg Editions they were making. But they did say production is limited. And all Americans can do is cue up the “sad trombone” sound effect.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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