Way Taigo in hard times

VW’s trusty TSI 110 makes good sense

This week sees us test a UK version of Volkswagen’s new Taigo after reviewing the top priced car with German spec late last year . That model nudged 30 grand. And while today’s has more modest specification it’s not that much cheaper – but it does offer savings in these hard times.

The Volkswagen Taigo Style 110PS with DSG gearbox costs £27,450 without options.

Under the bonnet is VW Group’s trusty 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit that’s also available with 95PS and a manual gearbox.

The other engine you can go for is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 150PS that’s only available with a DSG automatic gearbox – which was in the German spec model we tested. In comparison to other VW models this coupe crossover is 150mm longer than the T-Cross and 37mm shorter than the T-Roc.

It’s based on the same MQB platform used by both the T-Cross and the T-Roc. There’s no four-wheel drive option, as there isn’t on the T-Cross either. That’ll not trouble most buyers.

At the moment the Taigo doesn’t have a huge number of rivals: only Renault’s recently launched Arkana is a true coupe crossover.

That’s a situation that’s bound to change because car makers tend to follow each other. Especially if someone else has discovered a profitable niche –which I suspect Renault and Volkswagen have with their respective cars.

You might think that the sloping roofline compromises headroom in the back, but it doesn’t. Knee room is also acceptable and the 438-litre boot is only 17 litres smaller than the one in the more boxy T-Cross.

The Taigo’s extra height off the ground over the Polo makes it easier to get in and out – which could seal the deal for many customers.

Inside the Taigo there’s some welcome news. Although you get a digital instrument panel and an infotainment screen, you don’t get the same control systems fitted to the Golf and other larger Volkswagens.

That means the Taigo gets proper buttons on its steering wheel instead of irritating touch sensitive switches and also has separate analogue controls for the heating and ventilation and other often used systems.

The Polo is similar which is one of the reasons why I like that car so much.The Taigo is a similar drive. Because the centre of gravity is higher there’s a bit more body roll and the

handling feels a little more vague but it feels safe and surefooted.

If you want more fun out of your drive then a Ford Puma would be a better choice (the same goes for the Polo: a Ford Fiesta is better to drive). Volkswagen says it’s not going to create a GTI or an R version of the Taigo. The 150PS model is brisk enough and even this one’s 0-62mph time of 10.9sec isn’t too slow.

With petrol prices as high as they are this, Taigo’s l 47.8 miles to a gallon of petrol is much more useful than a couple of seconds off its 0-62mph time. I’m guessing Volkswagen will follow up these Taigos with others that incorporate hybrid powertrains.

But for now, with soaring domestic and transport energy prices, this modestly powered Taigo makes good sense.