Volkswagen’s Next Big Electric SUV Could Wear a Familiar Badge
Volkswagen may not be done with the Touareg after all. The longtime SUV is nearing the end of its run as a gas-powered model, yet the name could return on a new electric flagship.
That would be a notable shift. For more than two decades, the Touareg served as Volkswagen’s premium SUV in many global markets. Now, as the brand pushes deeper into EVs, it appears to be considering whether that badge still has value in an electric future.
The Gas Touareg Is Nearing the End
Volkswagen first launched the Touareg in 2002. Since then, it has gone through three generations and reached customers in 39 countries, with total sales topping 1.2 million units.
Even so, the current version is on its way out. Production of the gasoline-powered Touareg is expected to end later in 2026, closing a 23-year chapter for the model. In some markets, including parts of Europe, Volkswagen offered a “Final Edition” before wrapping up orders.
Still, the end of the combustion model may not mean the end of the name itself.
An Electric Touareg Is Under Consideration
According to comments from Volkswagen sales chief Martin Sander, the company is exploring a next-generation Touareg. Importantly, he indicated that any successor would stay in the larger SUV category and move to fully electric power.
That points to a possible ID Touareg. Volkswagen has been reshaping its EV naming strategy, and a return of the Touareg badge could help the company bring more recognition to a high-end electric SUV.
In other words, instead of creating an entirely new identity, Volkswagen may lean on a name buyers already know.
Don’t Expect It Right Away
Even if the project gets the green light, the electric Touareg likely remains several years away. Reports suggest it would arrive after the ID Golf, which is expected around 2028.
Before then, Volkswagen plans to focus on smaller and more affordable EVs. The lineup is expected to expand with models such as the ID Polo, the ID Cross, and the ID Tiguan.
As for the US market, an electric Touareg would still be uncertain. Volkswagen dropped the gas model there after 2017, partly to make room for the Atlas and the newer Tiguan. So while a luxury EV revival sounds promising, an American return still looks far from guaranteed.
