Volkswagen Taigun

Step inside, and the Taigun continues its understated approach. The dashboard layout is horizontal and clean; the touchscreen is integrated instead of floating.

Cabin Layout and Quality

The cabin has a combination of soft-touch inserts and hard plastics. While the structure feels solid, some of the switchgear elements do not feel like the Volkswagen we've all come to know. The painted inserts on the dash, in select colours, add character. GT variants get darker themes with red ambient lighting accents. Fit and finish are generally consistent, although some plastics are thin to the touch.

Siddharth commented during the review:

“On the whole, the interior is more premium than some of its sibling products, but there are little areas where you can see the cost focus.”

Seating Comfort

Front Row

The driver enjoys height-adjustable seating and tilt and telescopic steering adjustment. Visibility is good because of large windows and relatively slim pillars. Front seats in higher trims have ventilation, which is useful in warmer climates. The side bolstering offers moderate firmness and support without being too firm. The height of the seating is a neutral balance. You step into the cabin instead of climbing up or dropping down, which makes the usability on a daily basis easier.

Second Row

Rear space is one of the Taigun's strong points. The legroom is generous for the segment, and headroom is still good despite the sunroof in the higher trims. Two adults can sit comfortably, with good under-thigh support and centre armrest. Seating three adults is possible but not ideal because of the width of the cabin and the contouring of the seats.

Shams noted after spending time in the rear:

“I could comfortably sit behind a six-footer. That speaks volumes about the packaging.”

Features That Improve Daily Use

• The 10.1-inch touchscreen is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Interface clarity is good, but the climate control panel below uses touch-sensitive sliders that require more attention than physical buttons.
• An eight-inch digital instrument display in higher trims offers multiple layout options and easy-to-read displays. 
• Wireless charging, cruise control, automatic climate control with rear vents, electrically folding ORVMs and a single pane sunroof are available depending on variant.
• Storage solutions include deep door pockets, a cooled glovebox and usable centre console storage.

The Volkswagen Taigun sits in the upper half of the compact SUV segment. Its pricing reflects its turbo-petrol-only strategy, five-star safety rating and European driving character. With an ex-showroom price range of Rs. 11.42 lakh to Rs. 19.19 lakh, it competes with the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. It is also closely allied with its platform sibling, the Skoda Kushaq.

Volkswagen Taigun Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

Note: Prices will vary from state to state and are subject to revision.

Efficiency in the Taigun is affected very strongly by driving style, particularly since both engines are turbocharged. The 1.5-litre has the benefit of cylinder deactivation when cruising at constant speed, whereas the 1.0-litre has no further tricks than its throttle discipline.

Observed Fuel Efficiency During Testing

In city conditions, both engines return similar figures when driven conservatively. The 1.0-litre can be more sensitive to aggressive throttle inputs, and this can drop the efficiency more quickly. 

On the highway, the 1.5-litre DSG ensures constant cruising efficiency thanks to the seven-speed gearbox and the cylinder deactivation system. When pushed hard, both engines drop closer to 10 kmpl, especially on sustained high-speed driving.

Shams noted during testing:

“When driven sensibly, it will reward you. Push it all the time and it will consume accordingly.”

One of the Taigun's strongest pillars is safety. It has a five-star Global NCAP rating, putting it in the safer category of its segment.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

The Taigun is built on the MQB-A0-IN platform with extensive use of high-strength steel. The structure is rigid and composed, especially at highway speeds. Six airbags are standard now in the trims. Three-point seatbelts are available for all five occupants. ISOFIX child seat mounts are also included.

Multi-collision braking is one other important feature. In case of a first crash, the system automatically brakes to minimise the risk of secondary impact. The five-star Global NCAP result is based on good adult and child occupant protection scores. This strengthens the structural integrity that Siddharth mentioned in the review:

“It feels planted and solid in the way a Volkswagen should.”

Active Safety and Stability Systems

Electronic Stability Control is standard throughout the range, which is a lot at this price point. ESC works with traction control to ensure that the vehicle doesn't lose stability when doing sudden manoeuvres. Additional systems include Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, hill hold assist, rear parking sensors and rear view camera on higher variants. Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is also available in upper trims.

What the Taigun does not have are Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. There is no adaptive cruise control or lane assist. Volkswagen has instead focused on fundamental structural and electronic stability systems.

The Taigun's technology package focuses on clarity and everyday usability and is not driven by novel technology.

Infotainment and Interface

Higher variants are equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface is generally responsive and clean-looking. An eight-inch digital driver's display is available on Topline and GT Plus trims. It has several layout options and easy-to-understand driving information.

Wireless phone charging and connected car features are all smoothly integrated. Acceptable clarity is provided by the six-speaker audio system for use in daily commuting, but it is not optimised for high-end audio performance. One area that is a matter of opinion is the touch-sensitive climate control panel. While visually minimal, there is more to focus on when adjusting the temperature while driving than traditional physical controls.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Tech

The Taigun features automatic climate control with rear AC vents, cruise control, push button start, keyless entry and electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs. Ventilated front seats are available in higher trims and add to comfort in warmer conditions. A single-pane sunroof increases the brightness in the cabin without having a significant impact on headroom. USB Type-C ports are available in the front and back seats. Storage spaces include large door pockets, a cooled glovebox and a practical centre console.

Boot space is one area where the Taigun is an understated winner. It does not advertise class-leading numbers, but in the day-to-day use, it proves practical for a family of four.

• With rear seats up: 385 litres
• With rear seats folded (60:40 split): Significantly expanded, though not completely flat

In real-world use, 385 litres is enough for a set of suitcases and a couple of smaller soft bags. The opening of the boot is wide, and the shape is regular, making it easier to pack than in SUVs with heavily sculptured interiors. One disadvantage is the slightly high loading lip. Heavier luggage requires lifting instead of sliding in. When the rear seats are folded, the floor is not quite flat, making it less convenient to load bulky items.

Shams remarked after loading equipment during the shoot:

“It is more usable than it appears from outside. The space is practical and sensibly shaped.”

Built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, the Taigun brings structural rigidity along with a suspension setup geared up for Indian roads. The result is a compact SUV that is composed without being too stiff.

City Driving

In urban conditions, the Taigun is easy to handle despite its SUV stance. The steering is light at low speeds, which makes parking and tight manoeuvres easy. The 1.0-litre engine is especially suitable for city use. It has a smooth and predictable torque delivery. The clutch in the manual version is manageable, and the torque converter automatic shifts unobtrusively.

Ride quality in city conditions depends on the size of the wheels. Variants with 16-inch wheels are more cushioned over broken surfaces. The 17-inch GT transmit sharper edges more noticeably, but the suspension is controlled.

Siddharth observed during testing:

“The ride quality stands out. It is just right for most conditions, especially in daily use in the city.”

Highway Driving

The Taigun comes into its own on the highway. At 80 to 100 kmph, the chassis has a planted and stable feel. Steering weight increases as one goes faster and serves to provide a reassuring feel of control. The 1.5-litre DSG is especially powerful in this environment. Overtakes require little planning, and the seven-speed gearbox keeps the engine relaxed at cruising speeds. Body roll is controlled through corners, and the Taigun is more composed than many softer rivals. 

Shams summed it up well:

“It has a planted and balanced look. That's the strongest impression I got from driving it all day.”

The Taigun range is split into two broad lines, Dynamic Line (1.0-litre engine) and Performance Line (1.5-litre engine). Within these, the variants increase in terms of equipment and visual detailing.

Variant Structure Overview

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• No diesel engine option
• No naturally aspirated petrol option
• No Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
• No panoramic sunroof
• No completely flat folding rear seats

These omissions constitute the character of the Taigun. It is about driving fundamentals and not maximising specification sheets.

Choosing the right variant is dependent a lot on your driving style and your expectations.

Best for City-Focused Buyers: 1.0 Highline

The 1.0-litre Highline brings a sensible balance. It adds automatic climate control, the larger touchscreen and a rear camera without taking the budget way into top-spec territory. For daily commuting and occasional highway use, it seems complete.

Best All-Rounder for Features: 1.0 Topline

If you are looking for ventilated seats, a digital cluster and a sunroof without stepping into 1.5-litre pricing, then Topline is the most comprehensive 1.0-litre option.

Best for Performance-Oriented Drivers: 1.5 GT Plus DSG

If driving engagement is important, the 1.5-litre DSG is the obvious choice. The more powerful torque delivery and quick-shifting gearbox change the character of the Taigun on the open roads.

Siddharth put it succinctly:

“When you're buying the bigger engine, you're doing it for performance. In that case, the DSG is the one that really delivers.”