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Volkswagen Tayron review

If Goldilocks were a car, she'd be a Tayron. Not too big, not too small, just the right amount of space, tech and understated German quality. Replacing the Tiguan Allspace, Volkswagen's Tayron adopts the brand's new minimalist styling, adding even more practicality. But should you choose one over the regular Tiguan? Read our full Volkswagen Tayron review to find out.

Craig Hale

By Craig HaleUpdated on 9 June 2025

Pros

  • Great standard tech with top-drawer optional extras
  • Predictable high-quality German manufacturing
  • PHEV models offer 70+ miles of electric range

Cons

  • No 4x4 option for diesel or PHEV powertrains
  • Third-row seats aren't overly spacious

Interior

Our rating: 8/10

Driving position

Launched as a standalone model to replace the Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron is a seven-seat family SUV backed by extensive Tiguan underpinnings, so it's bound to be a comfortable place to be.

Just like its smaller sibling, it gives drivers an elevated driving position with good all-round visibility, so if you're familiar with the Tiguan, then you'll have no problem jumping into the Tayron.

SUV traits aside, the Tayron's cabin is well-designed, with an open feel thanks to its minimalist centre console. You get the same multi-function "driving experience control" to change things like volume, driving mode and 4x4 dynamics where you'd usually expect the gear selector – which has been moved to behind the steering wheel to free up space.

Despite the car's size, the angle of the infotainment display towards the driver also helps to create a slightly more welcoming environment.

If you're after the most relaxing driving experience, though, consider an Elegance or R-Line model with the upgraded ergoActive Plus seats. They have 14-way electric adjustment including pneumatic four-way lumbar support plus a 10-chamber pressure point massage. As we're beginning to see in more cars, including the five- and seven-seat Tesla Model Y, the seats also have automatic heating, as well as cooling.

Tech and features

All cars come with a 12.9-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but while most drivers will likely just leave their phone on the wireless phone charger, we love that VW has included 45W USB-C ports throughout the car. That translates into some pretty quick charging, so if you've left the house in a hurry, you should reach your destination with a fully charged phone.

Although standard equipment is strong across the board, it's the higher trim levels that really stand out. Look out for Tayron models with the IQ.LIGHT headlights, which use over 19,000 LEDs to perfectly illuminate the road without blinding oncoming traffic.

In fact, most trim levels come with the same tech unless you're adding in the optional extras, and one worthwhile addition is the Infotainment Package Plus. It increases the size of the infotainment display to 15 inches, adds a head-up display, and injects some AI into the voice assistant with ChatGPT.

The only other optional extra we'd suggest is the Comfort Package including Park Assist with Park Distance Control, which includes keyless entry, a powered boot lid that you can open by waving your foot under the rear bumper (these systems are always hit and miss, but in our experience, VW has just about got it right), and a self-parking system that can remember your last steps to get you out exactly the way you came in.

Performance

Our rating: 7/10

Engines and power

We think the best all-rounder is the 1.5 eTSI – it's a mild hybrid petrol producing 150hp, and can be quite fun to drive once you work out that lifting off the throttle early disengages the engine and allows you to coast to a stop.

There's also a 150hp 2.0-litre diesel, but despite the added torque it's the slowest of the lot. It's great that diesel is still an option in the mid 2020s and beyond, but VW is seriously trying to tempt buyers away from the black pump with more powerful petrols capable of towing heavier loads, and extended range plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with higher fuel economy figures.

The 204hp and 265hp 2.0-litre petrols are the only models with 4MOTION four-wheel drive – it's a shame that the Tayron doesn't get any 4x4 diesel or PHEV powertrains. These 2.0-litre units also lack any form of electrification.

Many buyers could be tempted by the 204hp and 272hp 1.5-litre eHybrid PHEVs, which have big batteries and long electric-only ranges. They're pretty nippy, too, so they're a great middle ground.

All Tayron models use a smooth DSG automatic gearbox (seven gears in combustion models, six in the plug-in hybrids), so if you prefer to drive manual, you're out of luck.

Handling and ride comfort

Like its other mainstream models, VW built the Tayron on a version of the MQB platform, which translates to sharp and composed handling.

It's a bit of a jack of all trades – it can be fun to drive (relative to its size) and comfortable around town – but it's not quite a master of none. Testament to VW's quality engineering, then.

Higher-spec models add adaptive chassis control (DCC Pro), which adjusts each wheel's two-valve shock absorbers in the blink of an eye to ensure you're getting the best ride at all times. You can also choose how soft or firm you want your ride on a sliding scale in the infotainment panel.

Practicality

Our rating: 9/10

Boot space

If you're buying a Tayron over a Tiguan, then this section will no doubt be important to you. Boot space reaches 850 litres in the seven-seat version with the third row folded flat, but even with those two rear seats in place you still have 345 litres, which isn't far off what you get in a Golf hatchback.

It's worth noting that five-seat eHybrid PHEV models have a smaller 705-litre space to account for the extra space required by the batteries.

With just the two front seats in place, total capacity stands at 1,905-1,915 litres.

Rear seats

Because the Tayron is 70mm longer than its Tiguan Allspace predecessor, there's more interior space.

Space in the middle row is perfect, with large windows and a tall cabin helping rear-seat passengers not to feel cramped.

However, the third row is only suitable for children. You'll also want to slide the middle row forwards to create more space back there, compromising legroom for adults who can't fit in the boot-mounted seats.

If you're after a full-sized seven-seater, look elsewhere. The Kia EV9 does a good job of accommodating seven adults in reasonable comfort. But if you're just after two occasional additional seats, the Tayron is on par with most of its rivals.

Storage solutions

VW has always been good at building strong family cars, which is exactly what you'd hope from this model in particular. You get the usual centre console storage with a sliding cover and twin cupholders, including well-proportioned door bins.

The rear armrest also has a swivelling tablet/smartphone holder for keeping young ones entertained on long road trips. Given that most of us carry a phone with us these days and rear-seat entertainment screens never really caught on, this is a useful touch.

Towing

You'll need to opt for the optional folding trailer hitch if you want to really tap into your Tayron's abilities, but do so and you'll be impressed.

The 150hp eTSI and the 204hp eHybrid have the lowest ratings, but at 1,800kg, that's still plenty for most caravans.

Then you have the 272hp eHybrid and 150hp TDI (2,000kg), and the 204hp and 265hp 2.0-litre petrols (2,400kg). These powerful petrols are the only 4x4 versions, which is a bit of a shame – being that towing can significantly reduce fuel economy, we don't quite understand why 4MOTION is only an option on the least efficient Tayron powertrains.

Safety

Not only was the Tayron awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating (and, believe it or not, there are still cars that get three or four stars), but it scored consistently high in each of the four categories.

Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, road sign display, Lane Assist, parking sensors and a reversing camera, so it's easy to feel in control.

Running costs

Our rating: 8/10

Fuel economy

We think most buyers will be happy with the 1.5 eTSI – a mild hybrid capable of 44.1mpg. It's nearly as efficient as the 2.0 TDI diesel (51.4mpg), and because it gets a small electric boost, real-world economy figures are very strong.

If you want over 70 miles of electric range, consider one of the two eHybrid PHEVS, with 19.7kWh batteries. A full charge could cost as little as £1.40 on a cheap off-peak tariff.

The claimed fuel economy of up to 696mpg is wildly overestimated, but that's a product of the official WLTP testing procedures – it's not VW blatantly lying. In reality, treat the eHybrid as a normal car and fail to plug it in and fuel economy could drop below 50mpg.

As with any plug-in hybrid, the real benefit comes from charging at home regularly.

On the flip side, the powerful 2.0-litre petrols claim 32.5-35.8mpg. Add any sort of weight, be it a car full of passengers or a trailer, and this will soon dip below 30mpg.

Reliability

VW has an outstanding reputation for reliability – buyers love the German brand's premium build quality, which is why it often performs well in consumer satisfaction surveys.

The engines (EA888 and EA288 units, if you want to be technical), are shared with most other VW cars, so although the Tayron is new, the mechanical parts it uses are very much tried and tested.

All Volkswagens have a three-year warranty – the Hyundai Santa Fe has five years' coverage, and the Kia Sportage has seven.

The verdict

Interior

8/10

Performance

7/10

Practicality

9/10

Running costs

8/10

Much like the Tiguan Allspace was a carbon copy of the Tiguan (until you saw the rear), Volkswagen's new Tayron takes everything that's great about the third-generation Tiguan and makes it an even more useful car.

It's practical without being dull and clever without being tech-obsessive – just the right amount of refrainment you'd expect from a VW.

Sure, rivals can be sportier or more spacious in the third row, but the VW Tayron is consistently good across all categories, rendering it an ideal upmarket family SUV.

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