Volkswagen Eyes Electric Touran Revival as Family-Friendly MPV Alternative to SUVs

Germany 10 June 2025: German automaker Volkswagen is considering a return to the compact MPV segment with a new fully electric model aimed at replacing the long-running Touran. The model, currently under internal review, would serve as a more practical and affordable alternative to SUVs, offering family-friendly features and functional design, while tapping into the brand’s heritage of multi-purpose vehicles.

The proposed electric MPV is expected to slot beneath the ID Buzz in the line-up, combining a smaller footprint with modern EV architecture and advanced versatility. Drawing inspiration from retro-styled concepts like the 2011 Bulli and the 2016 Budd-e, Volkswagen’s earlier takes on the electric Microbus, the new model would embody utility and simplicity over premium flair.

The new EV would serve a clear purpose: offering an upright silhouette, flat floor, high roofline, and short overhangs, features optimised for spaciousness and ease of use. MPV design concepts have been revisited from company archives to help guide discussions around practicality and layout. Innovations under consideration include new sliding door configurations and modular seating concepts to maximise flexibility for families, taxis, and urban mobility users.

Despite a European market flooded with SUVs, Volkswagen sees an opportunity in reviving the MPV as a family workhorse, especially with the success of new electric MPVs like the Zeekr Mix in China, which has sparked interest globally.

The electric Touran successor is expected to be built on either a significantly updated MEB+ platform or Volkswagen’s upcoming SSP architecture. It’s likely to offer battery options ranging from 60 to 80 kWh, with single-motor front-wheel drive standard and a dual-motor all-wheel drive variant as an option.

In terms of dimensions, it could closely match the 2016 Budd-e concept, which measured 4597mm in length, sitting right between the second-gen Touran and the short-wheelbase ID Buzz. This makes it compact enough for urban use while still delivering ample cabin space.

Volkswagen launched the Touran in 2003, and over two generations, it has become a family favourite with more than 2.6 million units sold globally. Although overshadowed by SUVs in recent years, the Touran has maintained a loyal customer base.

As part of a broader strategic pivot, VW is expected to phase out the numerical “ID” branding in favour of legacy nameplates, opening the door for a return of the Touran name in electric form. This aligns with growing consumer interest in EVs that offer familiar functionality and identity.

The vision of introducing the Touran as an electric MPV reflects Volkswagen’s evolving product strategy. VW appears poised to respond with a practical, efficient, and heritage-inspired solution. If approved, the electric Touran could hit European roads after 2026, breathing new life into one of the continent’s most iconic family vehicles, this time, emission-free.