• Golf-like cabin design – not very exciting
• Good build quality and well-appointed
• High-level multimedia systems available for extra cash

Slip behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Touran and you’ll be greeted by a functional and well put-together interior. It’s not the most exciting or luxurious cabin you will ever sit in, but the materials are durable and if you move up equipment grades, more detailing is introduced which brightens things up a bit.

The Touran’s dash has been designed with a driver-orientated layout and the centre console is easy to navigate around. If you’ve driven any contemporary Volkswagen cars you’ll be in familiar territory here.

It’s simple to find a good seating position and visibility is good thanks to the elevated seating position. The materials used around the cabin are of good quality and look easy to clean, which should withstand most of what family life has to throw at it.

Connectivity is key

Connectivity is an important part of today’s world and the Touran comes equipped with all the latest technology.

This includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink systems, and the USB is also usefully located for charging your smartphone. There are a number of power sockets around the car so other passengers can charge their devices on the move. You can also fasten tablets on the front headrests.

There are several power sources littered around the cabin and the USB port in the front is conveniently located.

Three-zone automatic climate control system is an option too, which includes filtering technology designed to stop allergens like pollen from entering the cabin.

The cabin is light and airy, even more so if you opt for the panoramic sunroof and wind and road noise is kept to a minimum thanks to the good overall sound insulation.

The steering wheel is easily adjusted too and mounted with controls and the trip computer displays all of the essential information for the driver.

• Spacious, comfortable cabin
• Adaptive suspension a worthwhile feature
• Quiet, safe and solidly built

The VW Touran is a very comfortable car.

Whichever trim you decide to buy, there will be a range of comfort features on offer designed to make life easier when out on the road like air-con, heated seats, blinds for the rear windows, a cooled glovebox and automatic wipers and lights.

There are bigger, more spacious seven-seaters available to buy if you’re planning to use all seven seats regularly, such as the SEAT Alhambra, Ford S-Max and the Touran’s sister car, the larger Sharan.

That said, because of the individual seat adjustment on offer you will be able to easily accommodate a mix of adults and children over longer journeys for legroom, although the third row is more suited to children or young teenagers.

The Touran is longer than the model it replaced and as a result interior space has improved. Headroom is especially good throughout and the suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps in the road, although in the third row it can get a bit bouncy over speed humps.

For those in the front, the seats are comfortable and supportive and feature a higher seating position, the second row of seats can slide back and forth individually and the backrest can be reclined too for a more relaxing position. Heated rear seats are also available as an option.