Volkswagen is killing off its first SUV, but an electric comeback looks likely

The Touareg was the first SUV from Volkswagen. Although the gas-powered model is being discontinued, Volkswagen is hinting that the Touareg could return as an EV. Is an ID.Touareg in the works?

Volkswagen discontinues its first SUV, the Touareg

It’s official. Volkswagen is retiring the Touareg after the 2026 model year. Introduced in 2002, the Touareg was Volkswagen’s first SUV, helping to establish it as more of a luxury brand in a sea of rivals.

Although it hasn’t been sold in the US since 2017, the Touareg has continued to draw in buyers as a luxury-class SUV.

It was actually developed in tandem with the Porsche Cayenne and even shared powertrain components with the Lamborghini Urus

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The flagship SUV is now sold in over 39 countries. Over 1.2 million drivers chose the Touareg throughout its three generations, and now Volkswagen is sending the gas-powered SUV off with a “Touareg FINAL EDITION” model.

The special edition model can be ordered until the end of March 2026 with prices starting from 75,025 euros ($87,500).

It features exclusive interior and exterior design elements, including laser-engraved “FINAL EDITION” lettering on the rear door windows and gear lever across all trims. Volkswagen is also adding multicolor ambient lighting as standard for the Elegance trim and above.

Although it’s called the FINAL EDITION, Volkswagen is hinting the Touareg could return as an EV. VW specifically said the “current Touareg generation ends with a “FINAL EDITION,”” adding “production of the Touareg combustion model ends in 2026.”

Starting at about $50,000 the 2017 Touareg was the Volkswagen brand’s most expensive vehicle in the US. It was axed from VW’s lineup in favor of the smaller Atlas.

The Atlas has become Volkswagen’s top-selling vehicle with over 54,000 models sold in the US through September. If you add the Atlas Cross Sport, VW has sold nearly 78,500 units this year in the US.

Electrek’s Take

Will we see the flagship SUV return as an EV, perhaps as the ID.Touareg? It’s still just speculation, but the way Volkswagen is wording it, makes it seem more than likely.

The Touareg still has no direct successor, and Volkswagen is doubling down on more affordable EVs, like the ID.Cross (electric T-Roc) and ID.Polo, so it could be closer toward the end of the decade before we actually see an electric version.

Then again, Volkswagen could also leave the luxury electric SUVs for the Porsche, Audi, and possibly Lamborghini brands.

What do you think? Would you buy an electric Touareg? Or should VW leave the higher-end models for the luxury brands?