The Tayron’s job is to strengthen Volkswagen’s presence in the dominant SUV sector. Available in a choice of five- and seven-seater versions, it bridges the gap between the Tiguan and the established range-topping Touareg. It’s a replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, with which Volkswagen is promising more space, comfort, luxury touches, and drivetrain options.
Design and interior
Outside, there’s a similarity to the Cupra Terramar and Skoda Kodiaq in the shape, but Tayron design highlights include the sculpted bonnet, high-mounted LED front headlights, LED light bar, large front grille, slightly squared wheel arches, and the debut on a non-electric model of illuminated front and rear badges.
Inside, the Tayron’s dashboard looks more modern than the Kodiaq’s and feels more premium than the Terramar’s. The full-width, horizontal design is only broken by the 12.9in infotainment screen (which can be optionally upgraded to a 15in screen with the Life equipment grade and above), with the instruments taken care of by the 10.3in screen in front of the driver. In the centre, there’s a tall console, with plenty of stowage, plus a circular rotary control for the stereo, and driving modes. The driving position is comfortable and multi-adjustable – meaning most will get comfortable. We particularly like the supportive sports seats fitted to the R-Line eHybrid we drove.
Talking of the Tayron’s infotainment system, it’s pretty much identical to what we’ve tried before in the facelifted Golf, and the new Tiguan. Highlights include the fact that the main climate control and heated seat buttons are permanently displayed at the bottom of the screen. Sadly, you still seem to have to cycle through too many menus to get where you need to go, and we prefer the Kodiaq’s rotary controls for the ventilation too.
Move to the back, and the news is just as good, as the rear bench slides, to increase either rear legroom or boot space as needed. Space is good in the third row of seats, although like the Kodiaq, the plug-in hybrid version is only available as a five-seater – which is a shame. Even as a seven-seater, the Tayron’s boot space rivals the seven-seater version of the Kodiaq at 345 litres – this rises to 850 litres with all the seats folded. Choose the Tayron eHybrid, and that drops to 705 litres, thanks to the battery under the floor.
Performance and drive
The Tayron is offered with a 148hp, 1.5-litre eTSI mild hybrid petrol, 202hp and 263hp versions of the 2.0-litre TSI petrol with four-wheel drive, and a 148hp 2.0-litre TDI diesel. However, Volkswagen is predicting 49% of Tayrons will be the 201hp and 268hp versions of the plug-in 1.5-litre TSI eHybrid.
With an all-electric range of 76 miles with both, this puts in it on a collision course with its Cupra and Skoda sisters – although this Volkswagen is more expensive. More importantly, these PHEV versions can be charged quickly at up to 11kW.
We got to try two Tayron versions, the 201hp eHybrid in the most popular R-Line spec, and the 1.5 eTSI in Elegance spec. 201hp might not seem a lot, but the eHybrid’s performance is surprisingly willing considering its near two-tonne weight, and thanks to the engine and electric motor working together, the official 8.6 second 0-62mph acceleration figure seems believable. On the flipside, we felt we had to work the 1.5 eTSI hard to get it to perform, with its 9.4 second 0-62mph acceleration time.
We’ve tried the Tayron with adaptive (standard on all PHEV models) and passive (1.5 eTSI) suspension set-ups. As expected, adaptive is best, although we found there weren’t many differences to the drive modes. Body roll, and the ride around town are better resolved, with precise steering.
If you want a Tiguan with more seats, the Tayron is the default choice, as it’s good to drive (especially with the adaptive suspension!), and usefully practical. However, most will be eHybrid plug-in versions, which lack the extra seats!
Positive: Good to drive, classy and modern interior design, seven-seater versions offer useful extra flexibility and a big boot.
Negative: eHybrid versions are only five-seaters, expensive, 1.5 eTSI has to work hard.
Standard equipment: 18in alloy wheels, automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors front and rear, 12.9in infotainment system, LED headlights and tail lights.
Engines: Petrol: 201hp 2.0, 262hp 2.0; Diesel: 148hp 2.0; Mild hybrid: 148hp 1.5; Plug-in hybrid: 201hp 1.5, 268hp 1.5
Equipment grades: Life, Match, Elegance, R-Line, R-Line Edition
Transmissions: Seven speed automatic, six-speed automatic
| Model | Volkswagen Tayron 1.5 TSI eHybrid R-Line |
| P11D | £46,825 |
| Residual value | 51.4% |
| Depreciation | £22,901 |
| Fuel | £5,552 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,362 |
| Cost per mile | 51.35p |
| Fuel consumption | 565mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 10g/km (6%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £47/£94 |
| Luggage capacity | 705 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1,498cc/201hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
