Unless you haven’t noticed, I recycle these reviews for narrations on short form videos; and vice versa. Which means that the review of this new VW Tayron will take the form of a few popular questions…
Question 1, always: how much does it cost? At this point in time, heading for mid 2026, the three available trim lines of this new Volksie cost between 812,000 (for the base version) and 900,000 Rand (for an R-Line derivative). The middle child “Life” edition costs roughly R854,000.
All Tayrons in southern Africa are powered by the trusty and frugal 1.4L turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine, driving the front wheels only – sorry folks, no AWD to be found here – via a 7-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox. Maximum power and torque outputs are 110kW and 250Nm, the latter from an impressively low 1,500rpm.
Top speed is claimed to be just above 200km/h and 0-100km/h should take 9.6 seconds. Thanks to the DSG’s built-in launch control, coastal air and 95 RON Unleaded, we bested that claim by 0.3 seconds. Average consumption is claimed at 7.6L/100km from the 55L tank, while our real-world average hovered around nine.
Question 2: is this a bigger Tiguan? Well, the 7-seater Tayron picks up where the multi-row Tiguan Allspace left off, so yes, kinda. Now I realise why they insisted that the Allspace was its own model – and not the elongated Tiguan it clearly was – because they probably had this Tayron waiting in the wings.
Question 3: is it nice? Duh, just look at it. Of course it is. While a new boxy Defender-esque design language sweeps SUV Land, this still conforms to the swish fluidity everyone found a few years ago, complete with gulping front bumper and the obligatory rear light bar; which I somehow think that Volkswagen invented with their little T-Cross.
Question 4: does it have wireless airbag lane CarPlay? Yes. It also has all the contemporary safety and convenience aids, one-pull reclining middle seats, a nifty touch-screen infotainment system, a twisty-turny gear selector stalk, plus a split-personality drive mode selector with – applause, please – volume controls.
Question 5: is it good to drive? Umm, I found this DSG multi-clutch gearbox highly annoying but hasten to add that the new Tiguan – with the same drive train – drove beautifully. So it might be down to different software or user adaptation. The easiest way to see if it annoys you too, is to take one for a test-drive.
Question 6: may I drive it? Sure, just not this one as it was kindly lent to us by the VW South Africa press fleet. But please take my impartial recommendation and swiftly pop down to your nearest Volksie dealer to arrange a test-drive of your own.
Each new Tayron is sold with a 3-year/120,000km warranty, plus a 5-year/90,000km service plan or optional maintenance plan.
FULL SPEC LIST
| Engine: | 1,395cc i-4 turbo-petrol |
| Transmission: | 7-speed DCT, FWD |
| Max. Power: | 110kW @ 5,000rpm |
| Max. Torque: | 250Nm @ 1,500rpm |
| Avg. cons.: | Claimed 7.6L/100km |
| 0-100km/h: | 9.57 seconds (claimed 9.6) |
| Top Speed: | Claimed 207km/h |
| List Price: | From R 811,800 |
