KEY POINTS:
The original Volkswagen Touran, launched in 2004, was a superb piece of people-mover design and packaging. Based on a slightly stretched Golf platform, it slotted a vast number of seating and cargo-carrying configurations into a car with compact city-friendly dimensions.
There was just one problem - it really was a tad dull, with anonymous styling and a greyer-than-grey cabin.
So here's VW's rather desperate attempt to jazz the wagon up - it's called the CrossTouran and adds some pseudo-off-roader styling touches to the standard Touran body shape.
For a $2000 premium over the standard Touran, it's probably quite good value. Not only are you raised 12mm, you get lots of bits of plastic stuck on the outside of the car, larger 17-inch alloys, a special matt finish for the grille and roof rails, and a spacey-looking seat fabric.
What you don't get is all-wheel-drive, despite the chunky looks. Like the smaller CrossPolo, this is strictly one for the urban adventurers. Also like the CrossPolo, it looks rather silly - especially in the lurid orange colour scheme of our test car, so pass the paper bag, please.
Look past the unfortunate styling detail and the CrossTouran is still a brilliantly designed machine. The seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration and positioned high. The third row is permanently attached but the backrest and "kneeling" squab fold away completely out of sight when not needed.
You will need to remove the headrests but that's not a problem because there's a special cubby for them under the trailing edge of the luggage area. The resting cargo floor forms a flat load area with the middle section of the car.
The three middle-row seats are individually mounted and can be tumble-folded away or removed completely. For the former, VW even provides steel struts to hold them in place.
Take the whole lot out and you can reposition the outside seats further inboard to make a more spacious four or (with the third-row in place) six-seater.
The luggage cover can be clipped behind the second row or further back for storage when the third row is in use. Oh, and there are 39 separate cubbies around the cabin. The attention to detail is simply outstanding.
It's good to drive, too. Unlike the earlier petrol-only model sold in New Zealand, the latest Touran gets Volkswagen's 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and the super-quick six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox.
The Golf underpinnings provide a smooth drive and the more compliant state of chassis tune on the Cross-Touran does the dynamic package no harm at all.
When you're done at the end of the day, your Dub can even park itself. Our CrossTouran was fitted with a new option called ParkScan. Once activated, it uses radar to "read" the parking spaces at the roadside as you drive and identify which ones will fit your vehicle.
Not only that, it will steer the Cross-Touran automatically backwards into said space, inch-perfect to the kerb. All you have to do is operate the pedals and trust the car.
It's really a great big gimmick and completely unnecessary if you have an ounce of low-speed driving talent, but you really can't help but be impressed by the technology.
It's incredibly effective and is only fazed on the narrowest of one-way city streets, where cars parked on the opposite kerb can interfere with the way the nose swings out during the parking process. But in general, it's pretty hard to fault.
To Cross or not to Cross? The irony is that a recent facelift, including Volkswagen's new corporate chrome grille facing, has made the standard Touran look a whole lot more handsome and distinctive than it used to.
Now, you wouldn't mistake it for anything other than a Volkswagen - before, it looked a lot like the box that the Golf came in.
So by all means treat the family to a Touran. They'll thank you for it and you'll certainly enjoy the drive.
If you must, you can even splash out on the gimmicky-but-good Park-Scan system. But I implore you, don't bother with this "Cross" business. Stick with the standard Touran, a wonderful family car that will save you $2000 and a lot of embarrassment.
WE LIKE: The compact size, surprise-and-delight cabin, and the impression of quality.
WE DON'T LIKE: The ridiculous pseudo off-road looks and the frantic DSG transmission.
THE FACTS
Basic price: $49,990.
Options fitted: ParkScan parallel parking assistant, $1750.
Price as tested: $51,740.
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km.
Powertrain and performance
Engine: 1968cc turbo diesel inline four.
Power: 103kW at 4000rpm.
Torque: 320Nm at 1750-2500rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual, front-drive.
Performance: 0-100km/h in 10.2 seconds.
European Combined fuel consumption: 6.7 litres per 100km.
Safety
Active driver aids: Anti-lock braking with force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control.
Passive restraints: Front, side and curtain airbags, and seven lap-sash seatbelts.
EuroNCAP adult occupant crash test rating: 5-star/89 per cent (the Touran).
Vital statistics
Wheels and tyres: 17-inch alloy wheels, 215/50 front and 235/45 rear tyres.
Length: 4407mm.
Height: 1647mm.
Width: 1794mm (excluding mirrors).
Wheelbase: 2675mm.
Kerb weight: 1631kg.
Boot volume: 695/1989 litres (five/two seat configuration).
Fuel tank: 60 litres.
