Comparison: Ground clearance VW Touran vs. competitors 2025
Ah, the VW Touran. One of those reliable and solid MPVs that's been bustling its way through cities and suburbs since the early 2000s. But today, we're not here to wax lyrical about its cabin space or tech specs. No, today we're delving into the ever-crucial topic of ground clearance. This seemingly straightforward measurement can make all the difference in the world—whether you're navigating pothole-ridden city streets or tackling a steep driveway. The current model of the VW Touran sits at a ground clearance of 156 mm, a reasonable height for an MPV that combines comfort and practicality.
Table of contents:
VW Touran - How has the ground clearance changed over the generations?
When we roll the clock back, the original Touran launched in 2003 without much ado about groundwork. It wasn't until the 2006 facelift that VW seemed to realize people might want a bit more height, raising the ground clearance to 101 mm. Fast forward to the 2010 facelift, and the Touran took another leap to 140 mm, narrowly escaping the clutches of the lowered-suspension brigade. From 2015 onwards, the current generation boasts a clearance of 156 mm, a testament to VW's incremental improvements. It's almost as if they listened to the collective grumbling of undercarriage-scraping MPV owners and did something about it.
The difference in Ground clearance between first generation (I) from 2003 and last generation (II) from 2015 is 15.6cm mm.
The ground clearance of the current generation of Touran is 156 mm.
The ground clearance compared to other VW models
Now, where does the Touran sit in the grand scheme of VW’s lineup? Let's put it this way: if you thought an SUV like the Tiguan was too much, but the Arteon too sleek, the Touran is your middle ground. Compared to siblings like the VW Up! which plays in the 135 mm sandbox, the Touran towers with an appreciable difference. Even the Passat Limousine at 145 mm can't quite measure up. In contrast, the chunkier Tiguan R with its 201 mm ground clearance seems practically ready for off-roading adventures. So, in the VW family, the Touran gives you just enough height for practical use without the exaggerated stature of its SUV cousins.
VW Touran vs other current cars by VW
(Ground clearance)
1. up! e-up!
135 mm
2. Arteon
138 mm
3. Arteon R
138 mm
4. Arteon R Shooting Brake
138 mm
5. Arteon Shooting Brake
138 mm
6. up!
144 mm
7. Passat GTE Limousine
145 mm
8. Passat GTE Variant
145 mm
9. Passat Limousine
145 mm
10. Touran
156 mm
11. T-Roc R
158 mm
12. T-Roc
161 mm
13. T-Roc Cabriolet
161 mm
14. ID.5
163 mm
15. ID.5 GTX
163 mm
16. ID.4
163 mm
17. ID.4 GTX
163 mm
18. Passat Alltrack
174 mm
19. T-Cross
190 mm
20. Tiguan
191 mm
21. Tiguan Allspace
201 mm
22. Tiguan R
201 mm
How does the ground clearance of the VW Touran compare to it's nearest competitors?
But what about the competition, I hear you ask? Ah, the rivals. The Touran is up against some interesting contenders. Take the BMW 2er-Reihe Active/Gran Tourer with its 165 mm clearance. Yes, it's a smidgeon higher. Honda's FR-V, however, falls short at 150 mm. Surprisingly nimble, the Dacia Jogger stands tall with a 200 mm clearance, and that's before it even flexes its trunk space. On the other end of the scale, Citroen’s C-Crosser at 174 mm offers a bit more lift, probably to navigate the peculiar French roads. Among these, the Touran doesn’t exactly steal the spotlight but offers a balanced profile suitable for most daily driving scenarios.
VW Touran vs. similar cars
(Ground clearance)
1. SsangYong Rodius 2005
182 mm
2. VW Touran 2015
156 mm
