The new-look, more efficient Volkswagen Touran goes on sale today, priced from £17,585.

Sharper styling has brought the seven-seat MPV up-to-date with the rest of the Volkswagen range. There’s a subtle new grille, Golf-esque headlights and a new bumper and LED lights at the rear. There’s also a new set of five-spoke alloy wheels and chrome-edged rubbing strips along the sides.

Inside, the Touran is fitted with sturdy, dark plastics and well laid out switches. There’s a new three-spoke steering wheel, new dials and a revised centre console.

For maximum practicality, the new Touran comes with 39 cubby holes and seven seats as standard, with the third row of seats capable of folding flat into the floor.

Power is provided by a choice of two petrol and four diesel engines. Petrol options are a 138bhp 1.4-litre TSI and the new 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI engine, which is capable of returning 44.1mpg and emitting 149 g/km of CO2. In Bluemotion form, complete with brake energy regeneration and start and stop, fuel economy is improved to 47.9mpg and emissions are down to 139g/km.

Full gallery: Volkswagen Touran

Diesel options include a 1.6-litre TDI with 89 or 104bhp and a 2-litre TDI unit in 138bhp or 168bhp guise. Volkswagen claims the 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI with Bluemotion technology will be its most economical MPV yet, with an average 61.4mpg and 121g/km CO2.

It comes in three trim levels: S, SE and Sport. Entry-level models get air conditioning, cruise control, all-round electric windows, roof rails, a CD stereo system, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and six airbags as standard.

SE adds alloy wheels and parking sensors, while range-topping Sport models also get front sports seats, dual zone air conditioning and front fog lights.

Pricing:

1.2 S TSI 105PS 6 speed manual: £17,585
1.2 S TSI 105PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £18,220
1.2 SE TSI 105PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £20,145

1.4 SE TSI 140PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £21,210
1.4 SE TSI 140PS Bluemotion 7 speed auto DSG: £22,345

1.6 S TDI 90PS 6 speed manual: £18,585
1.6 S TDI 105PS 6 speed manual: £19,185
1.6 S TDI 105PS 7 speed auto DSG: £20,255
1.6 S TDI 105PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £19,415
1.6 SE TDI 105PS 6 speed manual: £21,110
1.6 SE TDI 105PS 7 speed auto DSG: £22,180
1.6 SE TDI 105PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £21,340

2.0 SE TDI 140PS 6 speed manual: £22,530
2.0 SE TDI 140PS 6 speed auto DSG: £23,585
2.0 SE TDI 140PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £23,105
2.0 Sport TDI 140PS 6 speed manual: £23,855
2.0 Sport TDI 140PS 6 speed auto DSG: £24,910
2.0 Sport TDI 140PS Bluemotion 6 speed manual: £24,430
2.0 Sport TDI 170PS 6 speed auto DSG: £25,535

Order books for the new Volkswagen Touran open today, for first deliveries in September.

By Rhian Angharad Jones