Despite the similarity of their names, the Touran is not related to the North American market Volkswagen Routan.

[7] Volkswagen explained the name Touran was created from the word "Tour", i.e. to travel, with the addition of the end syllable from its big brother Sharan.

[8] The engines are EURO 4 compliant, except the 1.9 TDi when paired with the DSG (direct shift gearbox).

The Touran launched with a six speed manual gearbox as standard, and a DSG for the 1.9 TDI Engines.

[citation needed] The initial test of the Touran in 2003, resulted in a four star rating for adult protection.

[9] Volkswagen made slight changes to the Touran from November 2003, adding "an intelligent reminder for the driver and front passenger to buckle their seat belts."

The 2007 model year Touran was the first production vehicle in the Volkswagen Group to be released with the new Park Assist technology.

[12] Though its front was updated to the German style, the tail keeps the design of the previous generation model.

As for the 2010 model, an updated version of the 2.0 TDI engine was launched with common rail technology.

In 2008, Shanghai-Volkswagen with Tongji University had released a Touran Hybrid, as part of the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

It uses the Volkswagen Group MQB platform and offers increased cabin space, four new engines with 19% less fuel consumption, and an array of new advanced driver-assistance systems and infotainment options.

Qiangsheng, one of the largest taxi firms in Shanghai, stated that the Touran offered greater passenger comfort over its predecessor.

[18] Additionally, in 2018 Cross Touran L was announced, being still the same wheelbase, but with plastic wheel arches and chassis sitting 23mm higher.

[19] A modified Volkswagen Touran appears in the 2006 film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and was owned by Twinkie (Little Bow Wow).