A taste for T Volkswagen Taigo

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A TASTE FOR T

The latest T-badged model in VW’s crossover/SUV portfolio will arguably tickle most taste buds.

Words: Vann van Staden winewheelsandwatches

VOLKSWAGEN TAIGO 1.0 TSI 85 KW R-LINE DSG

Over the past few years, Volkswagen has introduced several new crossover/SUV models to its T portfolio. In the market for a luxurious SUV? There’s the Touareg. Looking for a tall-riding vehicle in the midsize segment? The Tiguan is undoubtedly worth a look. Then there’s the in-voguestyled T-Roc. For those wanting to upgrade from a Polo to a crossover or buy into the crossover segment, the German marque o ers the popular T-Cross. However, with the market’s increasing adoration for coupé-styled crossovers and carmakers seemingly wanting to fill every existing niche in their ranges, the company now o ers the Taigo. With the latter's launch, the German automaker arguably o ers a crossover/SUV to suit every taste. And tickle our taste buds, the Taigo certainly did. Figuratively, of course.

The Taigo falls neatly between the T-Cross and the T-Roc in VW’s T portfolio, taking the latter’s in-vogue styling and applying it to a T-Cross-ish scale. It measures 4 266 mm in length, making it 31 mm longer than the T-Cross. This provides a greater boot capacity of 440 litres, though 15 litres less when the T-Cross’ sliding rear bench is put in its most forward position and 59 litres less utility space owing to its sloping roofline). It’s 1 757 mm in width and 1 515 mm in height (69 mm less than the T-Cross). The wheelbase is also slightly longer at 2 566 mm.

Exterior dimensions aside, although the T-Cross is a handsome crossover, the Taigo is the better looking of the two, especially when specified

THE TAIGO FALLS NEATLY BETWEEN THE T-CROSS AND THE T-ROC IN VW’S T PORTFOLIO, TAKING THE LATTER’S IN-VOGUE STYLING AND APPLYING IT TO A T-CROSS-ISH SCALE.

AT A GLANCE

VOLKSWAGEN TAIGO 1.0 TSI 85 KW R-LINE DSG

The Taigo is more than just a stop-gap in VW’s local line-up. Yes, it fills a niche, but with market research, VW found it’s a niche worth filling, especially considering the market’s taste for coupéstyled crossover/SUVs. Match that with a car adorning a VW emblem, and you have a crossover that will undoubtedly become a regular sight on our roads.

Price: R486 000 Engine: 1.0 L, 3-cyl, turbopetrol Transmission: 7-spd dual-clutch Driven wheels: F

Power: 85 kW @ 5 000-5 500 r/min Torque: 200 Nm @ 2 000-3 500 r/min 0-100 km/h: 10 seconds Top speed: 200 km/h Fuel consumption: 5.4 L/100 km CO2: 123 g/km

1. Sloping-roofline design will undoubtedly draw customers to the Taigo. 2. Digitalised cabin familiar VW fare. Eight-inch touchscreen user-friendly, though the touch-enabled climate control buttons not so much. 3. R-Line front pews well-bolstered. Note the updated ‘R’ badge embossed on the seatbacks.

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in the sportier R-Line level of specification. R-Line spec includes VW’s striking IQ.Light LED matrix headlamps featuring a striking LED light bar spanning the grille. As standard, the range-topping R-Line rides on 17-inch wheels. However, those wanting an even sportier appearance can specify VW’s Black Styling package, which includes 18inch Misano alloys finished in black.

The interior is familiar VW fare. Not that it’s a bad thing. Not at all. The R-Line’s cabin is neatly equipped with the Wolfsburg-based brand’s Digital Cockpit Pro set-up and 8.0-inch Composition Media touchscreen infotainment system. Dual-zone climate control operated via touch panels and sliders are also present. However high-tech this may sound, adjusting the temperature and blowers via this arrangement wasn’t as user-friendly as it would have been with analogue controls.

As with other VW vehicles, customers can choose an array of additional features from the list of optional extras. In the R-Line, among others, these include a panoramic sunroof, which, with it being such a popular item in our market, will undoubtedly be specified to most Taigos; wireless smartphone charging and a rear-view camera system.

Another notable option is IQ.Drive Travel Assist. This tech allows the Taigo to steer, accelerate, maintain speed (and distance to the car in front of you) and brake by itself. Adaptive cruise control and lane assist are utilised during the autonomous journey. A radar system is sited up front, while a camera can be found behind the windscreen. The system is surprisingly user-friendly.

The use of multiple textures throughout the cabin further lends a sense of familiarity to the Taigo. The interior finishes comprise some hard plastic surfaces and softtouch trimmings on the dash and door panels. The R-Line model’s seats are upholstered in Karoso fabric. The pews are suitably bolstered, providing su cient support when on the go.

The Taigo is powered by the same power unit found under the bonnet of the 85 kW/200 Nm T-Cross, a punchy 1.0-litre turbo-triple driving the front wheels. The engine is exclusively coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. VW claims an average fuel consumption figure of a commendable 5.4 L/100 km, allowing for a range of 741 km on a single tank. On the launch route, we achieved a figure of 5.9 L/100 km.

The drive is familiar to a compact VW crossover. It feels suitably refined. The suspension is supple, and the handling is well-weighted for a car of this ilk. However, one of the Taigo’s drawbacks is the slight delay when taking o . But once you’re in forward motion, the nippy TSI motor makes overtaking a breeze. Cruising at 100 to 120 km speeds, the Taigo finds its beat. A