Road Test: Volkswagen Touran 1.6 FSI S 5dr [5 Seat]

I'm not known for being punctual. If I go to a concert, I normally miss the first song. At the cinema, I miss the opening scene then accidentally knock someone's popcorn over. I'm on first-name terms with airport tannoy announcers. But I'm not as bad as Volkswagen.

Considering how long the Renault Megane Scenic has been around - and other hatchback-based midi-MPVs like the Astra-derived Vauxhall Zafira and Citroen Xsara Picasso - the German giant has been a bit slow on the uptake. If a company can raise platform-sharing to a fine art (the Skoda Octavia and the Audi TT being cases in point), then what's so difficult about doing a Golf-based MPV?

Strangely, on the morning that Volkswagen flew us off to Spain to get a first drive in one, I got up at five (am) and was the first one to arrive at the terminal. I fell asleep in the lounge and missed the plane. Not really. As it is, I fell asleep on the plane and missed the lounge. But I digress.

Actually, the Touran isn't based on the Golf as we know it. It has a platform that incorporates elements of the MkIV Golf, but also bits of the next generation Golf.

The MkV platform is said to be the most tunable the company has yet produced. I'm pleased for them. Should we also feel pleased for future Touran owners?

Naturally, they'll enjoy the removable second row seats, the drawers under the front seats and the plethora of cupholders. They'll think the air-conditioned glovebox will be a nice touch and might even find a use for the 12v socket and underfloor stowage areas in the boot.

I took the version with a 1.6-litre FSI petrol engine, which consumes petrol at an average rate of about 38mpg, but needs quite a bit of time to get anywhere. I liked the Touran's ride quality, as it absorbs uneven tarmac nastiness awfully well.

I didn't take to the slightly notchy six-speed gearbox. Or indeed the new electrically-assisted steering rack, which gave me no idea what the front wheels were doing. The lack of direction change on the approach to a corner forced me to conclude that they were understeering with little provocation.

And if the Touran's interior is a hint at the Golf to come, then the lack of quality plastics will disappoint all but VW's accountants. Take the badge away and I could have been in a Seat or Skoda.

I got to the evening's press conference (late) and discovered that the Touran also comes with a gutsy two-litre diesel engine and an option for seven seats. The only way to drive a car with both, I was told, was to get up early the next morning and book it.

So I was the first one up. And there they were. The extra two seats in the back that can fold into the boot floor. The Zafira can compete on this level but its seats are, if memory serves, a smidge smaller than the Touran's supplementary set.

This diesel engine is more like it too. Torque and subsequent urge from this oil-burner is undoubtably superior.

Is the Touran package superior enough to make a belated impact? The Picasso's a big seller. The Scenic remains popular and the Zafira's versatility stands it in good stead. So far, the motoring public have managed well without a VW midi-MPV. Yes, the Touran might be too late, but with good engines, a good safety package and standard equipment list, it shouldn't be too little.

Colin Ryan