If you have grown fond of the Volkswagen Tiguan but find yourself needing more room for the family, the new Volkswagen Tayron is designed specifically for that transition. Replacing the long-standing Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron is essentially a stretched version of the latest-generation Tiguan, featuring a longer wheelbase to accommodate a much-needed third row of seating.
While Volkswagen has rebranded the model to distinguish it from the five-seat Tiguan, the market is still adjusting. Currently, sales for both models are neck-and-neck, though the Tayron faces stiff competition from established three-row SUVs like the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia Sorento.
Interior: Premium Comfort Meets Digital Complexity
The Tayron’s cabin is a study in contradictions. On one hand, it is a high-quality, “super-plush” environment. The Elegance trim elevates the experience with ash wood accents, artistic ambient lighting, and premium leather upholstery. The seats are highly configurable, offering massage, lumbar support, and ventilation—features that make long journeys much more bearable.
However, the interior design leans heavily into the “screen-first” philosophy, which introduces some usability hurdles:
- The Good: Volkswagen has reintroduced physical buttons on the steering wheel, making basic navigation much easier than in previous iterations. The multi-function dial on the center console is a helpful addition for toggling between volume and drive modes.
- The Bad: Essential functions like air-conditioning temperature and audio volume are often buried in menus or controlled by “piano-black” haptic sliders. These sliders are notoriously fiddly and prone to showing greasy fingerprints.
- The Confusion: While the digital instrument cluster is customizable and visually impressive, the user interface can occasionally be opaque. During testing, a tyre pressure warning appeared, but the system failed to specify which tyre was low, highlighting a potential gap in the vehicle’s information delivery.
Space and Practicality: Built for Families
The Tayron excels where it matters most: versatility. Unlike many competitors that compromise significantly on cargo space to fit a third row, the Tayron remains highly practical.
- Second Row: Spacious and comfortable, with ample legroom and features like heated seats and USB-C ports for passengers.
- Third Row: While not a full-sized “people mover,” it is perfectly functional for children or occasional adult use.
- Boot Capacity: With the third row folded, you get a massive 850 litres of space. Even with all seven seats in use, the utility remains higher than many rivals, thanks to clever design and a power tailgate with a kick sensor.
Driving Dynamics: Balanced but Firm
Under the hood, the 150TSI Elegance features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
In terms of driving feel, the Tayron behaves like a larger Tiguan. It is predictable, well-balanced, and easy to handle, even with the extra length. The DCC Pro (Dynamic Chassis Control) system allows you to adjust the suspension, but there is a trade-off:
The Tayron feels somewhat “crashy” on rougher roads. Even in comfortable modes, the ride can feel firmer and more aggressive over bumps than expected, which might lead to fatigue on very long trips.
However, the engine and transmission are well-matched. The 150TSI engine is arguably the “sweet spot” of the range, offering a refined balance of performance and efficiency. On the highway, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems work reliably, providing a confident sense of safety.
Value and Competition
Priced at $60,390 (before on-road costs), the Tayron Elegance sits in a competitive bracket. It is priced similarly to the five-seat Tiguan Elegance, which may lead some buyers to question whether the extra space is worth the identical price tag.
When compared to rivals, the Tayron offers a more premium, “European” interior feel than some, but it lacks the hybrid efficiency offered by the Toyota Kluger or the broader price range of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Conclusion
The Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance is a sophisticated, highly practical seven-seater that excels in cabin luxury and cargo versatility. While its heavy reliance on touchscreens and a slightly firm ride may bother some, it remains a polished and capable choice for families seeking a premium driving experience.
