I've got a 2012 hybrid. I've only owned it for a couple of months, and it only has 50k miles, so I can't give a lot of advice about longevity.

What I can say is: 21mpg on the highway, so way less efficient than the diesel. But it's FAST.

 

The biggest risk for anyone buying an ageing Hybrid is finding a VW dealer with a Hybrid trained technician who knows his Touaregs.

I found it very hard to actually stay in electric mode and eventually didn't bother.

They do go well when you plant you foot hard on the loud pedal and the car makes you smile a lot..... but expect single figure MPG if you keep repeating it!

 

The biggest risk for anyone buying an ageing Hybrid is finding a VW dealer with a Hybrid trained technician who knows his Touaregs.

I found it very hard to actually stay in electric mode and eventually didn't bother.

They do go well when you plant you foot hard on the loud pedal and the car makes you smile a lot..... but expect single figure MPG if you keep repeating it!

If something goes wrong with the hybrid system, is it possible to just use the gas motor by itself? I talked to the dealer and a battery replacement is $10k. Are there aftermarket options? Cheaper, lighter, higher capacity, etc? I don't want to buy a car for $17k and then spend more than half of that 6 months, 1 year, 2 years later to replace the battery. Should I just assume that the cost of the vehicle is $10k more due to this potential expenditure?

 

The Hybrid was actually the top-of-the-line trim when it was available, something to consider.

 

edited

 

I was going to write that as far as I am aware there is no aftermarket alternative for the Hybrid battery so it's just as well I checked and there is a Chinese company offering one with a 3 year warranty but it's not priced:

Buy Volkswagen Touareg 2012-2015 New Hybrid Battery at Lowest Price!

Don't compromise with your Volkswagen Touareg performance! Get premium replacement hybrid battery from EnnoCar and get back on road. Order today.

ennocar.com

Yes, the car will work without it but you are lugging around a dead weight and, of course, there is no spare wheel as the battery sits in the space previously occupied by the spare.

As I wrote previously anyone working on the car should have received the proper training due to the potential risks in working with the high voltage system as per the warning that goes with the self study program here:

Self Study Program 450 - The Touareg Hybrid - DIY & Guides

Explore the Self Study Program 450 on the Touareg Hybrid, combining electric and combustion technology for a safer, electrified future.

procarmanuals.com

"Please note that work which is carried out in the vicinity of, or on, the high-voltage components in the hybrid vehicle must only be undertaken by qualified and therefore authorised Volkswagen high-voltage technicians.
Improper handling of the high-voltage systems may lead to life-threatening situations due to an electric shock."

This means using a VW dealer with a trained technician if you can find one as these guys tend to move on.

The technology was already mid-life when the Hybrid was launched and now, given the progress on hybrids, it's positively ancient!

But it is a car that can put a smile on your face - you just need to go into it with yours eyes wide open.

 

Thank you everyone for your replies. I did do a test drive and it is a very nice vehicle, I just dont know if I can accept the potential issues of an old hybrid vehicle.

 

Thank you everyone for your replies. I did do a test drive and it is a very nice vehicle, I just dont know if I can accept the potential issues of an old hybrid vehicle.

Mine has 140k, no issues.

 

So glad I found this forum.

I also have a 2012 T3 Hybrid with 120k. I average about 11L/100km (21mpg) and 9L/100k (25mpg) on the highway.

I just found the codes in VCDS (they weren't in the Hybrid battery - 8C, go figure) and my SOC is 46%. So it looks like they need to be replaced, eventually. I've only had it for 6-7 months and performance has been pretty good.

I found the batteries on alibaba, the wholesellers site. And I'm waiting on a response from ennocar. Alibaba prices came out to be ~$800 for 60 modules. Before shipping and customs.

 

So glad I found this forum.

I also have a 2012 T3 Hybrid with 120k. I average about 11L/100km (21mpg) and 9L/100k (25mpg) on the highway.

I just found the codes in VCDS (they weren't in the Hybrid battery - 8C, go figure) and my SOC is 46%. So it looks like they need to be replaced, eventually. I've only had it for 6-7 months and performance has been pretty good.

I found the batteries on alibaba, the wholesellers site. And I'm waiting on a response from ennocar. Alibaba prices came out to be ~$800 for 60 modules. Before shipping and customs.

You should post this question and statement in the hybrid only section of the forum