Verdict
The RM384,972 Touareg costs RM116,084 more than the RM268,888 XC40, and its RM1,632 annual road tax is RM1,204 higher. It answers with 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, plus a far roomier 810-litre boot. The XC40’s 263 hp and 390 Nm still drive all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic, while its 7.7 L/100 km rating, 50 g/km CO2 figure and 8-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery warranty make the running-cost case. The Touareg is the bigger, faster luxury SUV; the XC40 is the sensible Malaysian buy.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need its 810-litre boot, 2,984 mm wheelbase, air suspension and stronger 335 hp performance.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want to spend RM116,084 less, pay RM428 annual road tax and retain AWD, 390 Nm and a hybrid-battery warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Road tax per year: Touareg RM1,632; XC40 RM428.
- Performance: Touareg 335 hp/450 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; XC40 263 hp/390 Nm and 6.4 seconds.
- Size and luggage space: Touareg 4,878 mm long with an 810-litre boot; XC40 4,425 mm long with a 460-litre boot.
- Fuel and emissions: Touareg petrol with no rated economy or CO2 figure; XC40 petrol hybrid/REV rated at 7.7 L/100 km and 50 g/km CO2.
- Suspension and wheels: Touareg multi-link air suspension with 20-inch wheels; XC40 MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension with 19-inch wheels.
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear-seat split.
- Air suspension, HD Matrix LED headlamps and night vision.
- RM116,084 dearer to buy and RM1,204 dearer in annual road tax.
- No rated fuel-economy or CO2 figure, versus the XC40’s 7.7 L/100 km and 50 g/km.
- Lacks the XC40’s auto parking and front foglamps.
XC40
- RM428 annual road tax and a 7.7 L/100 km economy rating.
- 8-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery warranty.
- City Safety adds pedestrian, cyclist and large-animal detection, plus auto parking.
- 72 hp and 60 Nm down on the Touareg, reaching 100 km/h 0.4 seconds later.
- 460-litre boot is 350 litres smaller than the Touareg’s.
- Shorter 2,702 mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents rather than dual-zone rear climate control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM384,972 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,632 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 263 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 390 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,878 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,984 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,702 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,984 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 90 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 810 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Braga Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Braga Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for rear doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Night Vision | Yes | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | HD Matrix LED Headlights | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear window blinds | — |
| Audio | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Touareg & XC40 for sale
Touareg vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Touareg or Volvo XC40 better?
The Touareg is better for luggage capacity, high-speed performance and air-suspension comfort, with 810 litres, 335 hp and 450 Nm. The XC40 is better for lower purchase and annual road-tax costs, rated efficiency and its hybrid-battery warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM116,084 more than the Volvo XC40. Its annual road tax is also RM1,204 higher, at RM1,632 versus RM428.
Which has the better safety equipment?
Both have AWD-related stability systems, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping steering correction. The XC40 adds a driver’s knee airbag, pedestrian/cyclist/large-animal detection and auto parking; the Touareg counters with night vision and a 360-degree camera.