Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen finally makes the debut of the long-awaited Taigun in the midsize SUV category. The final launch of the affordable German vehicle was important. The Taigun is undoubtedly not the first midsize SUV to have entered the Indian market, but it is definitely a significant one, because it has come up with a mass appeal, unlike T-Roc, Tiguan AllSpace and Tiguan. Taigun closely resembles Skoda Kushaq and the first SUV to have appeared from the ambitious India 2.0 programme of Volkswagen. It has an Indianised appeal much like Skoda Kushaq which it uses to make a massive impact in large volumes.

How’s the design?

Taigun is not a very big, midsize SUV which is on sale in the country. There are other cars in the same segment that are significantly larger than Volkswagen’s ambitious vehicle. It is narrower and shorter than a Creta and does not associate with the typical butch road presence that Indian car lovers identify with a normal midsize SUV. It is rather contemporary and chic and unconventionally attractive in the body metal. The traditional curves and edges unmistakably identify with a typical Volkswagen with those clean and sharp lines and the uncluttered design language. It is more primum with that large headlamp cluster and the squared-out, raised bonnet. The clear-cut silhouette, the short-overhung stance and the long wheelbase are the most evident in the exterior profile.

How does it perform?

The Volkswagen Taigun offers two types of petrol engine displacements, a 999 cc and a 1498 cc. This car is available in both automatic and manual transmission. The 1498 cc engine is capable of producing 148 bhp of power at 5000-6000 rpm and 250 NM of peak torque at 1600-3500 rpm. On the other hand, the variants with the 999cc engine can generate a 113 bhp of power at 5000-5500 rpm and 178 Nm of peak torque at 1750-4500 rpm.

How’s the mileage?

As far as the fuel economy of the Volkswagen Taigun is concerned, it offers an average mileage of 16.44 kmpl to 18.10 kmpl, depending on the variant that you purchase. But the difference in mileage delivery is almost negligible and all the variants perform equally well in terms of fuel economy.

How’s the driving experience?

The engine feels youthful and energetic right from the start and because of the wide-ranging torque down its rev range, one can drive happily around the city without having to worry about the gear position too often. A hard push on the acceleration makes the vehicle build pace rapidly and in a rather linear way. The engine is pretty vocal as you rev beyond the 3500-rpm mark. This character of the Taigun can get intrusive and boomy on long hauls. However, the smoothness of the transmission remains unchanged through the ride.

How is its off-road capability?

Most SUVs in general can be driven off-road at least to some extent. The Taigun is a midsize SUV that can ride pretty well on rough and uneven roads. The ground clearance of this SUV is 188 mm or 7.41 inches which is within the recommended range for off-roading. The unladen ground clearance of the car absorbs impact coming from bumps and potholes quite easily, making the ride smoother and seamless.

What’s the interior like?

Coming to the interiors of the Volkswagen Taigun, the car appears to be strikingly stylish inside out, featuring sporty dual-tone classy and premium interiors. The Ambient Lighting (white for Topline and Red for GT) is perfect for setting the mood. The car also features leatherette + leather seat upholstery, which adds plush comfort to the drivers and the passengers. The interior comes with a fairly spacious 385 litre boot space, and the rear backseat s of the car is foldable. The car sports an eight-inch touchscreen, which is used for controlling most of the features.

Tech and infotainment

The infotainment system in the car is used for controlling a large number of features

Safety Equipment

The infotainment system gives access to the driving data, adjusts the radio, and connects the smartphone to the Bluetooth Connectivity. The infotainment is used for locking and unlocking, and controlling wipers as well as the instrument cluster, and so on. Some of the other tech features integrated in the car are:

• Air-bags
• Central Locking
• Brake Assist
• Turn Indicators on ORVM
• Electronic Differential Lock System
• Speed Alert System
• Multi Collision Brake
• Passenger Airbags
• Child Safety Lock
• Electronic Stability Program
• Headlamp Beam Adjuster
• Manual Coming
• Anti-Slip Regulation
• Tyre Pressure Deflation Warning
• ABS
• Power Door Lock
• Seat Belt Reminder

Which variant to buy?

The Taigun GT Plus and GT comes with a more powerful 1.5L turbo petrol engine. Even though the GT Trim comes with the same powerful engine as the Highline, it has a number of additional features, and does not come with many standard features one would expect from a 4-seater vehicle, and therefore, buying this variant would bring lesser value to their customers. Therefore, the 1.0 TSI Topline automatic, petrol variant is the best option for the driver.

Which cars compete in this segment?

There are many other cars competing in the same segment as the Volkswagen Taigun, and these include Skoda Kushaq, Kial Seltos, Honda Creta, MG Hector and so on. The Volkswagen Taigun is also one of the most affordable segments.

Verdict (Value for money)

Following the analysis of the car, it can be said that the Volkswagen Taigun is an absolute value for money, and there is no reason for not buying the car. It is impressive in terms of design, features, comfort, and ride quality. It is also one of the most practical cars in its segment. The solid European build quality of the car is yet another reason why people should consider buying it. Furthermore, the interior or the cabin of the car is just as impressive as its exterior. It offers good legroom, perfect ergonomics, supportive seats, and spacious storage. The boot space and foldable seats make the vehicle ideal for long drives as well. All these features combine to make this car worth buying.