Volkswagen Taigo

Volkswagen's Taigo offers a slicker small SUV option. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen adds further to its already extensive line-up of compact SUVs with this trendier-looking model, the Taigo. It shares much with both the Polo supermini and the brand's existing entrant in the compact Crossover class, the T-Cross, but brings a more avant garde vibe that will appeal more to the segment's fashionistas. But of course with it, you get all the usual reassuring Volkswagen attributes of quality and sound engineering.

Background

It doesn't seem so long ago that the Volkswagen SUV range began with the Tiguan. Today it's very different. Now there are no fewer than three Crossover models positioned below that car. Two you might be familiar with, the T-Cross and the T-Roc. The other though, might be less familiar, this car, the Taigo.

The Taigo's here because there's been an explosion in sales of small SUVs in recent years and it was an easy extra model for Volkswagen to bring to Europe. For our continent, it's being built in Pamplona, Spain and is being positioned as a trendier, more coupe-like alternative to the Polo supermini-based T-Cross. Coupe versions of mid-sized and large SUVs have sold quite well and Volkswagen is hoping same will be true here.

Driving Experience

If, like most buyers of this model, you've decided on the 110PS version of the three cylinder 1.0-litre TSI petrol powerplant, you might be forgiven for feeling quite hopeful here. This engine is, after all, much the same as the one that'll royally entertain you in the brand's up! GTI citycar shopping rocket. And here, it's bolted to an even better platform, the Polo supermini's stiffer MQB-A0 chassis. If your Taigo happens to be jazzily packaged, you might think it would all add up to a little SUV that could be as fun to drive as it can be to look at.

But of course the 1.0-litre TSI engine in this Crossover has quite a bit more weight to lug about than it's saddled with in an up! The longer ratios chosen for the 6-speed manual gearbox and are more geared to cruising. Some people might be more minded to stretch to the alternative four cylinder 1.5-litre TSI 150PS engine that Volkswagen is offering with this car - though that can only be had with the DSG auto transmission, which makes it a much pricier choice.

Design and Build

Think 'fastback T-Cross' here and you'll not be too far out. Like the T-Cross, the Taigo is based on the Polo supermini's MQB-A0 platform, but unlike the T-Cross, it gets a sportier swept-back rear end, finished by a full-width light bar. Sharp creases down the flanks, contrasting wheel arch trims, an extended rear overhang, smart LED headlamps and a deep front bumper complete the more dynamic effect.

Inside, there is of course lots carried over from both the T-Cross and the Polo, which means this car gets the brand's latest MIB 3 entertainment software for its 8.0-inch central screen - upgradeable to 9.2-inches in size further up the range. Plus there's a completely digital instrument gauge cluster, which will be either 8.0-inches or 10.25-inches in size, depending on the spec you choose. Rear seat headroom is slightly less than you'd get in a T-Cross because of the sloping roof. Out back, there's a 438-litre boot - that's 17-litres less than you'd get in a T-Cross.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £22,000 (think around £1,000 more than a comparable T-Cross) but most models sit in the £24,000-£27,000 bracket and it's possible to pay as much as £29,000 or more for a Taigo. There are three trim levels - 'Life', 'Style' and 'R Line'. Even 'Life'-spec gets quite a lot, with 16-inch 'Everett' Black alloy wheels, front fog lights, LED headlights and black-finished roof rails. Comfort and convenience features include logo projection lighting from the car's door mirrors, a multifunction camera, lumbar support for the front seats, electrically-folding heated door mirrors and a multifunction steering wheel. There's also an 8.0-inch instrument screen and a central infotainment monitor of the same size. Standard safety kit includes Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist with front and rear parking sensors.

Move up to 'Style' trim and you get Volkswagen's 'intelligent' 'IQ.Light' LED matrix headlights. The Taigo 'Style' also features 17-inch 'Aberdeen' alloy wheels, as well as Dynamic Light Assist for the IQ.Light headlights as standard. Plus a 10.25-inch 'Digital Cockpit Pro' dashboard display and an 8.0-inch 'Discover Navigation' infotainment system. Sportier 'R-Line' trim gets you 17-inch 'Valencia' alloy wheels and R-Line exterior styling with bespoke bumpers.

Cost of Ownership

Engine-wise, there's a choice of two versions of Volkswagen's usual 1.0 TSI three cylinder petrol engine, developing either 95 or 110PS (the latter with a DSG auto transmission option). Or a four cylinder 1.5-litre TSI unit, only offered in DSG auto form. There's no diesel option - and both mild hybrid and Plug-in hybrid tech is missing too.

And warranties? Well the standard package is three years and 60,000 miles. We can't see why Volkswagen couldn't extend that mileage limit to 100,000 miles, since that what you get on its mechanically very similar Caddy model. Doing that though, wouldn't give Volkswagen dealers so much of an opportunity to sell extended warranty packages. There's one for four years and 75,000 miles or, if you plan to see a bit more of the world in your Taigo, there's a five year / 90,000 mile package. Whatever your decision, your car will come with three years of pan-European Roadside Assistance that has no mileage restriction. The paintwork warranty lasts for three years and, as you'd expect, this little SUV is protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion package.

Summary

You wouldn't have thought there was room for yet another small SUV in Volkswagen's range, but the Wolfsburg brand has found space for the Taigo anyway. It's difficult not to think that it will merely sell to folk who would otherwise have bought T-Roc or an upper-spec T-Cross. Which has meant to date that some people not prepared to move up to the slightly larger T-Roc have been dismissing the Volkswagen brand in the small SUV segment. The Taigo will put this issue right.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Volkswagen Taigo

PRICES: £21,960-£29,140 – on the road

CATEGORY: SUV SUPERMINI-BASED (B-Segment)

INSURANCE GROUPS: TBC

CO2 EMISSIONS: {1.0 TSI 110PS} 124g/km

PERFORMANCE: {1.0 TSI 110PS} 0-62mph 10.4s / Max Speed 119mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: {1.0 TSI 110PS} 52.3mpg {combined – WLTP}

BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 438

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4266/1757/1494 mm