Photo: Supplied
The Tayron (pronounced ‘tie-ron’) is not only a significant improvement over the Tiguan Allspace but is also the catalyst for Volkswagen’s (VW) future propulsion plans from 2026.
As with the Allspace, the Tayron slots in between the Tiguan and the Touareg, once again becoming VW’s sole three-row SUV in South Africa. However, it also comes in a five-seat configuration, as it is destined to replace the Touareg, which will go out of production next year.
Aside from the seven seats on all but the unbadged base model, lengthened dimensions over the Tiguan Allspace lead to improved practicality. Behind the third row, boot space goes up from 230ℓ to 345ℓ, while space behind the second row increases from 652ℓ to 885ℓ.
Good looks
Aside from its practicality gains, the Tayron also differs aesthetically from the new Tiguan. Its lower air intake has been redesigned, the headlights slightly restyled, and the front bumper fitted with an imitation-silver skid plate on all but the base model.
In the rear, the tail lights resemble those of the Passat, while the bumper has a more squared-off design.
In the front, the same three trim levels as the Tiguan apply. However, while the base Tayron and step-up Life both come standard with 18” alloy wheels and conventional LED headlights, the flagship R-Line has LED Plus diodes, 19” alloys, and the option of the IQ.Light matrix LEDs as part of the Light & Sight Package.
Illuminated badges
Projected to be the volume seller, the R-Line can also be specified with the optional black styling package, which adds 20” alloys to the mix.
Applicable to all variants is a full-width LED light bar between the headlights, complete with an illuminated Volkswagen badge and the same setup at the rear with the VW badge backlit in red.
The Tayron’s interior has been lifted directly from the Tiguan, as all three models come standard with the 10” Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster and the 12,9” infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Replete with the same steering wheel featuring physical buttons, all models also get adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, park assist, lane keep assist, front assist, and rear cross traffic alert from the start.
One engine, for now
On the power front, the Tayron is solely powered by the tried-and-tested 1,4ℓ TSI engine that sends 110kW/250Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG. However, 2ℓ TSI and hybrid powertrains are in the pipeline.
Out on the launch drive, progress was more adequate than sprightly, as the Tayron Life is nearly 250kg heavier than the comparative Tiguan Life without any occupants. While anything but lethargic, the added mass is evident on the 1,4 TSI engine’s delivery, which requires a slightly heavier foot to overtake or simply extract a bit more momentum.
Given the Tayron’s payoffs of an improved ride and refinement, the inherent lack of puff likely won’t be on every buyer’s radar, though it will be more noticeable than in the Tiguan.
Easy to operate
Elsewhere, fit-and-finish is typically Volkswagen, although the silver decorative insert on the test unit sounded and felt low-rent.
Another contentious issue, the display (also used in the Golf 8.5), represents a major step up from that in the Allspace and remains easy to navigate despite the lack of physical buttons.
The opposite still applies to the climate control, which requires going into the display for the exact settings instead of relying on the newly illuminated touch sliders that only adjust the temperature and not the air delivery speed.
What’s the verdict?
Separate in name but still related to the Tiguan inside and subtly outside, the Tayron feels slightly more substantial and upmarket, which, for some, will still be hard to swallow given the mono drivetrain option and dramatically higher price tag at nearly R900 000 for the R-Line without options.
Vehicle pricing
Tayron 1.4 TSI DSG – R811 800
Tayron 1.4 TSI Life DSG – R853 800
Tayron 1.4 TSI R-Line DSG – R899 900
Pricing includes three-year/120 000km warranty and five-year/90 000km service plan.
