REVIEW: Volkswagen Tayron is classy, practical and refined, but needs more punch
The Volkswagen Tayron replaces the previous Tiguan Allspace.
Image: Supplied
Tayron is a brand new name, but it fills a familiar role, that of a more family-friendly Tiguan with seating for two extra children or a much larger boot, depending on how you choose to configure it.
Bumper to bumper, the newcomer measures 4,790mm, making it 230mm longer than its closely related Tiguan sibling, and also a bit larger than the popular Chery Tiggo 8.
The Tayron, launched in South Africa this year, inherits some advanced technologies from the Touareg, including the optional interactive IQ. Light matrix headlights and redesigned seats with a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure point massage function.
However, its price tag has been a point of consternation, with the Base version coming in at a R147,000 premium over the equivalent Tiguan, and it’s also a cool R110,000 more expensive than the Tiguan AllSpace that it replaces.
The Tayron’s stretched body gives it a dignified presence, sitting confidently next to its Tiguan sibling.
Image: Supplied
While ‘stretched’ seven-seaters can sometimes look a bit awkward, in my opinion, Volkswagen has succeeded in giving the Tayron a dignified and somewhat elegant appearance. In automotive terms, it doesn’t have too much of a ‘Dad bod’, in other words.
Although it is around 50mm longer than the AllSpace, it’s certainly not a ‘full-size’ SUV, however, and hence the third row seats are best suited to small children.
As an average-sized adult, I could not fit my legs into the very back row without first sliding the middle-row seats as far forward as they would go, but on the upside, this vehicle is quite flexible in the way one can configure the seating positions. For an ‘emergency’ run of seven around town, it should do just fine.
Unlike many other compact seven-seaters, it also has a reasonable amount of boot space (345 litres) when all seven seats are in place, and that rises to a massive 850 litres when the third row is folded.
Inside, the 12.9-inch floating infotainment screen dominates the minimalist, tech-centric cabin.
Image: Supplied
The cockpit area is as per the latest Tiguan, with a somewhat tech-centric and minimalist design that appears both modern and elegant.
The steering-mounted gear shifter does take some getting used to, however, and I really wish they’d followed the Golf 8’s formula of placing an electronic shift lever on the centre console, right next to the parking brake and start button, so all the things you need to get going are in one easy-to-access place. On the upside, the steering wheel has normal buttons, rather than those finicky ‘slider’ controls that other recent VeeDubs have been criticised for.
Moving to the middle, the all-new 12.9-inch ‘floating’ infotainment system boasts crisp new graphics and an improved interface that is relatively user-friendly.
The climate system is now operated via this screen, and although that kind of set-up will never be as user-friendly as physical controls, the Tiguan’s system is perhaps better than most, as numerous climate functions are permanently displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Elegant on the outside, flexible and high-tech inside—Tayron makes a strong impression on every level.
Image: Supplied
In terms of standard features, the R-Line model that we sampled comes with ergo Active seats with heating and massage function up front, Varenna leather upholstery, 30-colour ambient lighting, three-zone automatic climate control, and wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Driver assistance features include Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, and Park Assist, amongst others.
Under the bonnet of all Tayron models you’ll find Volkswagen’s familiar 1.4-litre TSI turbopetrol engine, which delivers 110kW and 250Nm through a seven-speed DSG (dual-clutch) automated gearbox.
While the 1.4 seems to meet most needs in the smaller Tiguan, it struggles a bit in the Tayron, delivering performance that is adequate at best. Add five kids and a boat or caravan, and this vehicle will likely struggle to keep up. Thankfully, a 2.0 TSI with 4Motion all-wheel drive is set to join the line-up in 2026, but sadly, there are no plans for a diesel.
Driving manners are otherwise quite impressive, with smooth throttle reactions and gear changes, and the vehicle is also quiet on the road, and rides comfortably over most surfaces.
VERDICT
The Volkswagen Tayron successfully fills the gap as a more practical, family-focused alternative to the Tiguan, offering flexible seven-seat capability, a genuinely usable boot and a polished, upmarket interior packed with modern tech.
It drives comfortably and feels refined, but the 1.4 TSI engine is only just adequate for a vehicle of this size, especially when fully loaded.
While well executed and handsome, the Tayron’s steep pricing and modest performance mean it makes the most sense for buyers who value space and luxury over affordability or power.
IOL Motoring