We assess the Volkswagen Taigo, a coupe-styled variant of the popular T-Cross small crossover. Does the 1.0TSI R-Line have the substance to back up those stylish looks?
We like: Easy and engaging to drive, practicality, high-end standard features.
We don’t like: Only one powertrain to choose from, some cheap-feeling trim, price premium.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Volkswagen Taigo 1.0TSI R-Line
- Price: R537 100 (November 2023, before options)
- Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol
- Power/Torque: 85 kW and 200 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed automatic
- 0-100 kph: 11.3 seconds (claimed)
- Fuel consumption: 5.4 L/100 km (claimed)
- Luggage/Utility space: 440–1 222 litres
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Where does the Volkswagen Taigo fit in?
You (like us) may think Volkswagen has more than enough SUVs in its ranks, but the Wolfsburg-based brand disagrees – in fact, most car makers are still trying to wedge more crossovers into their line-ups!
Meet the Volkswagen Taigo; it’s a lower and longer coupe-styled version of the T-Cross. We appreciate the T-Cross (a derivative of which won the Compact Family Car category in the 2020/21 #CarsAwards) and where it’s positioned in the market, but the Taigo is marketed as a sleeker and more stylish offering, in the same manner as the BMW X4 is a touch more flamboyant than its conventional BMW X3 sibling.
European Rivals
If you have R500k to spend on a stylish SUV coupe that won’t fade into the background, you’ve got a few credible options to look at. European stalwarts Renault and Opel have direct competitors in the forms of the Captur and Mokka; both have punchy turbo engines, clever packaging and come well-appointed.
However, this section of the market is highly price-sensitive… Many customers have been favouring newcomers to the market from newer (non-legacy) brands, many of which hail from China. Right now, the Beijing X55 and Omoda C5 are the closest to the Taigo in terms of specification and dimension.
Compare the specs of the Taigo with those of the Renault Captur and Opel Mokka
Compare the specs of the Taigo to those of the Beijing X55 and Omoda C5
How the Volkswagen Taigo fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
There are numerous cosmetic differences between Taigo and T-Cross; whereas the former is (relatively) sleek and low-slung, the latter (like most small crossovers) is boxy, dumpy and has an upright stance.
It’s also interesting to compare the models’ dimensions. The Taigo is 4 600 mm long, 1 700 mm wide, 1 490 mm tall and has a 2 566-mm wheelbase, which makes it 365 mm longer than the T-Cross, but the latter is wider (1 782 mm) and taller (1 584 mm), with a slightly shorter wheelbase (2 551 mm).
If you’re keen to traverse gravel roads (such as when pursuing lifestyle activities or driving to a weekend getaway destination), the T-Cross has the advantage in terms of ride height (185 mm versus 158 mm).
A longer wheelbase usually means more cabin space and we found that the rear legroom in the Taigo is surprisingly roomy for taller folk, which is just as well, because the model does without the sliding bench fitted in the T-Cross. Also, the cars’ luggage capacities are similar (Taigo: 440 litres, T-Cross: 455 litres).
Although the Taigo’s driving position is not as perched as that of the T-Cross, it offers excellent forward visibility and the fabric-trimmed sports seats have a good range of adjustability. On the downside, rear visibility is a little restricted because of the slanted rear screen, but if you spec the Comfort Package Plus (R16 500) option pack, you’ll get keyless entry, Park Assist with PDC, as well as a reverse-view camera.
Performance and Efficiency
The Volkswagen Taigo range is powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces peak outputs of 85 kW and 200 Nm in conjunction with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (all derivatives in the range are front-wheel driven). When we fitted our test equipment to the Taigo, the test unit completed the 0-100 kph sprint in 10.98 seconds – fractionally quicker than its claimed time.
Now, a 10-second 0-to-100 kph time is not brisk by today’s standards, but the Taigo is no slouch; during its tenure in our test fleet, it never ran out of puff on the daily commute. See, with 200 Nm on tap, the intuitive, quick-shifting transmission facilitates eager and energetic forward progress. At no point did the vehicle feel lethargic; you can slip past slower vehicles in cut-and-thrust traffic and execute open-road overtaking manoeuvres with ease. Still, we’d love to see the T-Cross’ 1.5-litre turbopetrol in the Taigo.
Compared with more affordable Taigo derivatives, the R-Line offers a choice of drive modes. Whereas the Sport mode makes the powertrain more responsive to accelerator inputs and the transmission hold onto gears a bit longer, the Eco mode does the opposite – it dials things back to optimise fuel economy.
By using Eco mode as often as possible, we achieved a commendable indicated consumption of 7 L/100 km with the Taigo – which is not too far off VW’s claimed urban-cycle figure of 6.2 L/100 km (we drove the vehicle in urban driving conditions most of the time). The stated combined-cycle figure of 5.4 L/100 km seems a bit optimistic, but if that was achievable, the Taigo could travel 741 km on its 40-litre tank.
Ride and Handling
The Volkswagen Taigo has good road manners. Perhaps the reduction in ground clearance (compared with the T-Cross) has improved the model’s body control (it feels less inclined to yaw when you change direction at brisker speeds), but the Taigo 1.0TSI R-Line is notably more involving to drive than most of its segment rivals. It would be ideal if the steering setup imparted a bit more feel, but it’s pleasingly direct.
We were also impressed by the lack of powertrain vibration and noise, particularly because 3-cylinder motors are known for sounding distinctly rumbly. Granted, if you make enthusiastic inputs via the Taigo’s accelerator pedal, the engine will sound quite coarse (as it strives for high revs), but we assume that most drivers will adopt a more sedate driving style, which the car rewards with refined cruising ability.
Furthermore, the light steering setup makes the Volkswagen one of the easiest cars to drive and park. And, while the test unit was fitted with the optional 215/45 R 18-inch alloys (R14 800), its ride quality was reasonably pliant. If you want more ride comfort, well, stick with the R-Line’s standard 17-inch wheels.
The firm(ish) suspension setup helps the Taigo to corner pleasantly and predictably (should you choose to get down a twisty road in a hurry) and, in R-Line trim, the model comes fitted with the XDS electronic differential lock, which optimises traction and sharpens handling by cleverly reducing understeer through the stability control programme. First seen on VW’s performance models, XDS has added a modicum of fun to the Taigo driving experience, but it’s still nowhere near as engaging to pilot as the VW Polo GTI.
Comfort and Features
Like us, you’re probably wincing at the thought of a small crossover that costs more than R500k (before options), especially when it’s offered by a brand that’s renowned for its long options lists. However, in the case of the Taigo, it comes reasonably loaded with tech and features (at this price point) in R-Line trim.
The flagship 1.0TSI R-Line derivative comes with IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights – which are arguably the best in the segment when it comes to brightness and illumination – as well as Volkswagen’s Active Info digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, climate control, cruise control and 4 USB-C ports (a pair each for front and rear passengers). Puddle lamps (that project a honeycomb pattern next to the front doors at night) are quite a neat touch too.
Our test unit was specified with the aforementioned Comfort Package Plus (R16 500) and Misano 18-inch wheels/black styling package (R14 800), as well as a sunroof (R15 400) and upgraded infotainment system with wireless mobile phone charger (R11 600). You could add some semi-autonomous IQ.Drive tech (R23 000), heated seats (R5 400), tow bar (R5 700), and upgrade your audio to Beats (R10 300).
The quality of cabin materials and finishes in the Taigo is inconsistent. Some interior surfaces look and feel quite premium, but marginal-quality plastics are apparent in other areas, such as the door panels.
Having said that, the Taigo’s interior design execution is undeniably slick and modern, plus the typically solid Volkswagen build quality is present and correct – we didn’t discern any cabin rattles or squeaks.
Volkswagen Taigo Price and After-Sales Support
The Taigo is sold with a 3-year/120 000 km warranty, 3-year/45 000 km EasyDrive service plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service intervals are every 15 000 km.
| Taigo 1.0 TSI Life | R475 000 |
| Taigo 1.0 TSI Style | R512 800 |
| Taigo 1.0 TSI R-Line | R537 100 |
Verdict
Like many Volkswagen models, the Taigo is not keenly priced. Upon its launch in South Africa in June 2022, the range’s starting price was R429 900, but that has crept up, seemingly inexorably, to R475 000. The flagship 1.0TSI R-Line’s list price is R537 100 (November 2023), which compares well with that of its Opel Mokka 1.2T GS Line counterpart (R539 900), but – as specced – our test unit cost all of R590 300.
By contrast, the top Renault Captur and Beijing X55 derivatives sneak in under R500k, while the apex version of the Omoda C5 (R509 900) is probably the Taigo’s strongest rival in terms of boutique appeal; its packaging may not be as resolved as the VW’s, but it comes loaded with features at a lower price.
Despite the Tiago’s premium price point, Volkswagen has sold around 150 units of the model in South Africa every month in 2023 (so far). We assume those sales resulted from “heart over head” purchasing decisions, but to be fair, the Taigo was always intended to be a niche product and nonconformist choice.
So, should you buy one? While the T-Cross (with the same powertrain) can portray the same practical role as the Taigo – but at a cheaper price point, there aren’t that many “coupe SUVs” at this end of the market and, remember, many Volkswagen brand loyalists may dismiss new brands’ wares out of hand.
A well-specced Taigo, in one of the more interesting exterior colours (such as Kings Red, as featured on the test unit), or the intriguing Visual Green, makes a bold style statement with minimal compromise.
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