Volkswagen Taigun: In India’s ever-burgeoning SUV market, a car that can offer style, driving pleasure, practicality and that all-important badge value isn’t exactly easy to come by.
Enter the Volkswagen Taigun — a compact SUV that has hustled its way onto the scene without having to scream for attention. It’s not the shiniest or the largest, but, man, does it have character.
Part of VW’s India 2.0 strategy, the Taigun is closely related to the Skoda Kushaq but gets an exclusive dash of European flair.
And whether you’re a road trip aficionado or simply crave something premium for plugging along the daily grind, this machine just might surprise you.
Design: Subtle Yet Sharp
First impressions, after all, count. And the Taigun gets it right with clean lines, a squat stance and that imperturbable VW grille.
It doesn’t use thematically shaky gimmicks or oversized elements in order to have an impact. But instead, it has the not unappealing sort of backhanded confidence of something that you warm to.
The GT variants in particular add a bit of spice with red accents, dual-tone alloys and blacked-out trims – it’s hinting at performance without looking try-hard.
The proportions are neat too. It’s small enough to navigate narrow city spaces but wide and tall enough to look like a true SUV.
Chrome inserts, premium details, and the LED light arrangement all contribute to its upmarket feel.
Inside & Features: German Common Sense Inside and under the metal is where Passats really shine, and the 2009 redesign is no exception.
Enter, and you’ll immediately be struck by the clean, modern design. No extraneous motor driving; just good old thoughtful design.
The dash receives soft-touch materials, the steering wheel is a solid piece you’ll grip often and there’s just enough gloss and contrast to keep things interesting.
The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system looks slick and is wireless friendly for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s a fully digital instrument cluster that’s crisp and easy on the eyes on upper trims, too.
Throw in a sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless charging and a punchy sound system, and you’ve got a cabin that doesn’t feel devoid of more expensive accents.
The Taigun is certainly a space winner and four adults would be very happy on board.
The backseat has good leg- and headroom, though three in back might be a bit tight on longer drives. Boot capacity is only average at 385 litres, but sufficient for most normal family requirements.
Performance: Where It Excels
This is where the Taigun starts showing you it is a Volkswagen at heart. It gets two turbo-petrol engines—a 1.0L TSI and a 1.5L TSI.
Both are game, but really it’s the Active Cylinder tech 1.5L with 150 hp that’s the hero. It’s smooth, punchy and can actually make driving fun again.
The DSG (7-speed) gearbox with the 1.5L is buttery smooth and the manual option also feels crisp and responsive. The 1.0 motor isn’t all that slow either, it’s reasonably peppy, and also it’s more economical and cheaper to purchase.
There is good firmness to the ride, but it never grows harsh. The steering is accurate, the handling is nimble, and high-speed stability is excellent. It’s not a city commuter only — it is highway-ready and then some.
Safety & Reliability
Volkswagen has always been about safety, so why should the Taigun fail in that area. This SUV feels like a secure cocoon for your family, equipped with upto 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold and shaken-and-stirred it is safest with a solid 5 star Global NCAP rating.
Having said that, after-sales support has never been VW’s strong point in India. Though conditions are improving, it is something for potential buyers to bear in mind.
Pros
Quality build and quality European design
Fun and sporty performance that doesn’t break the bank
Top safety scores and features
Clean, contemporary interiors
Compact with big road presence
Cons
Rear seat best for two adults
Boot space could be better
light firm ride on the bad roads.
Volkswagen service network continues to expand
Volkswagen Taigun: Verdict
The Volkswagen Taigun isn’t attempting to be all things to all people — and that’s what makes it so strong. It’s for people who like uncluttered lines, want a little bit of a kick in the keister behind the wheel and don’t mind choosing quality over novelty.
It may not be the cheapest, or the most tech-laden or the most feature-rich, but if you appreciate an SUV with its feet planted firmly on the ground, and its design kept unpretentious and honest, Zi Germans deliver the goods.
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