Volkswagen Taigo Review 2024

On paper the Volkswagen T-Cross makes more sense - it's both a little bit more affordable and slightly more practical, but the design is pretty vanilla to say the least. The attraction of the Taigo is it's coupe-inspired design, and while it's not the last word in style, it's certainly more memorable than the T-Cross. 

Despite sacrificing a bit of space, it's more practical than you might expect (ignoring the miniature cupholders for a moment), while the frugal engines and low running costs will also make strong cases for themselves. 

You're spoilt for choice if you're after the best small SUV, but there's not quite the breadth of choice if you're looking for something with a more rakish rear. 

Key rivals though are perhaps the excellent Ford Puma and the slightly less impressive Nissan Juke, while you could also look at something like the Renault Arkana or Mazda CX-30 if you were after something a little larger. If you're wanting something a little more premium, then step forward the Audi Q3 Sportback and BMW X2. 

VW might have a good reputation for good quality interiors, the Taigo's interior quality doesn't quite hit the mark. While there are some nice soft touch materials within easy reach, you'll soon notice a lot of scratchy plastics elsewhere that brings down the overall quality of the cabin. While you wouldn't expect it to match the premium feel of something like a Audi Q3 Sportback thanks to the price, we'd like to have seen something feel a little less budget.

Both the entry-level Volkswagen Taigo Life and Taigo Match feature a pretty modest 8-inch digital cockpit, but Style and R-Line Taigos enjoy a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument display (or Digital Cockpit Pro if you're VW). 

Whatever trim you pick, all models come with an 8-inch touchscreen display that features a few touch-sensitive shortcuts either side of the screen (though things like volume control has a dedicated dial). There's also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and while both Style and R-Line models benefit from a built-in sat nav, Life and Match models go without. 

All Taigos as standard get two USB-C ports in the front and two USB-C charging sockets in the rear, while there's a six speaker stereo as well. This can be upgraded to a Beats Audio system - the six speakers remain, but there's an 8-channel amplifier, subwoofer and 300W total power output. 

While the sloping coupe-style design of the Taigo means it sacrifices a little in the way of space compared to it's more upright T-Cross sibling, it's not as much as you think. In fact, it's only down 15 litres with an overall boot capacity of 440 litres with the rear seats in position. 

The rest of the cabin feels pretty roomy - you certainly won't feel cramped upfront, though you don't sit much higher than you would do in a Polo or Golf, while there's a good amount of storage dotted round the place as well. Theres a good-sized glove box and pretty large cubby in the central armrest, though you'll struggle to find a cup that fits in the two minute cupholders in the central console. 

Despite the sloping roofline, headroom in the back is good, though if you're going to be driving adults or taller teenagers about regularly, then you might want to look at a larger alternative. For smaller children its great, and along with the two ISO fittings in the back, the front passenger seat also has a fixing as well for greater flexibility.

The engine range is kept nice and simple with the choice of three petrol engines. There a two 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engines - an entry 95PS model and a more powerful 115PS version. The 95PS version is only available with a five-speed manual, while the 115PS comes with the choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic. 

The 95PS version is fine for pootling round town, but most will prefer the extra flexibility and performance the more powerful engine brings. While a lot of buyers will be tempted by the DSG option, it can be a little hesitant at lower speeds. We'd certainly favour the six-speed manual gearbox - it has a good shift and light clutch and works nicely with the engine to make for a very pleasant drive. 

On the Taigo Style and R-Line, the 95PS engine isn't an option. Instead, there's a larger 150PS 1.5-litre petrol engine available. Coming with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard, performance is a little bit better than the near ten second 0-62mph of the smaller engines, hitting 62mph in 8.2 seconds. 

The 1.5-litre engine is the one to go for if you're going to be doing regular long trips, but the pick of the bunch has to be the 115PS engine. It's got plenty of character while still remaining nice and frugal. 

With only a five-speed gearbox, the 95PS engine is the least refined of the three as it has to work that bit harder. The 115PS version gets the balance about right, with pleasing audible character at lower speeds, while at motorway speeds there's little in the way of engine or wind noise.

Round town and the VW Taigo doesn't clatter over humps and bumps, feeling a little more grown-up than some of its rivals. 

Even if you spec your Taigo in entry-level Life trim, Volkswagen have been pretty generous with the standard safety kit. You get autonomous emergency braking (Front Assist), lane-keeping and traffic jam assist (Travel Assist), and automatic headlights. 

As you'd expect, the VW Taigo has a comprehensive suite of airbags, while it scored a full five stars when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP. 

The Volkswagen Taigo has been on sale now for a couple of years now and in that time we haven't heard of any significant issues, while Volkswagen as a brand performs will in the annual HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index. A VW Taigo comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

Opt for one of the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engines and whatever trim you choose, you're looking at insurance groups 13-16. This is pretty similar to the competition like the Nissan Juke, while the more power 1.5-litre engine increases this to insurance group 22-23. Considering insurance groups run up to 50, you should find a Taigo pretty affordable to insure.

After the first year of ownership, regardless of what engine you plump for, you'll pay a flat rate of £190 per year for road tax. Even if you go crazy with the options list it's impossible to nudge the on the road price of the VW Taigo over £40,000, so you won't have to pay premium car tax.

Sitting at the bottom rung of the range is the Taigo Life and it comes equipped with a decent range of standard kit. You'll find Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist make up the foundations of the Taigo's suite of driver assistance systems, as well a both front and rear parking sensors. 

In Life trim the Taigo sits on 16-inch 'Everett' alloy wheels, sports black roof rails and gets logo projection from the car's door mirrors (which also electrically fold and have heating), LED headlights (with separate daylight running lights). Inside and while there's not built-in sat nav, there's smartphone connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a multifunctional steering wheel.

Not introduced when the Taigo was initially launched, Match trim is a new addition. Building the the Life, the Taigo Match gets larger 17-inch 'Clayton' alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, keyless access and rear tinted glass among other things. For the extra £175 outlay over the Life model, it looks like great value.

The Taigo Match is followed by the Taigo Style, building on the standard equipment with a few more niceties. It comes with a £3600 premium over the Match car, so it depends how much these luxuries are dealbreakers to you, but you benefit from the addition of VW's navigation system, a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument display, 2-zone climate control, interior ambient lighting and sports comfort seats upfront. It sits on 17-inch 'Aberdeen' alloy wheels, has sliver roof rails and LED matrix lights (with cornering lights). 

At the top of the range is the Volkswagen Taigo R-Line. A shade under £1000 more than the Taigo Style, the Taigo R-Line is a sportier alternative and while it shares many of the same standard features as the Style, there are some differences. These are most notable on the outside, with 17-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels, sportier bespoke bumpers and black roof rails. Inside and the front seat inserts and the rear outer rear seats are in R-Line Karoso Art Velours.