Way Tai-go, VW... coupe crossover is a winner

GOOD LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT – AND EVEN A BIT RETRO

We kick the New Year off with an interesting ‘niche’ product from Volkswagen. That said, I suspect the new Taigo may well sell in such numbers it’ll become a mainstream car.

First we need some context, not least because Volkswagen’s range is complicated enough as it is without another newcomer.

As you can see from the pictures, the Taigo is a coupe crossover – a style which first emerged over a decade ago with the BMW X6. Then came the Mercedes GLE coupe and many more, including a swoopy version of Porsche’s Cayenne. But what we’ve not had so many of are coupe crossovers that are this small. Last year, Renault launched its Arkana – which is similar in concept to the Taigo and probably its closest rival.

Taigo (I quite like the name, what do you think?) is 150mm longer than VW’s T-Cross and 37mm shorter than the T-Roc and is based on the same MQB platform used by both.

There’s no four-wheel drive option, as there isn’t on the T-Cross either. That will not trouble most buyers.

For now, you have a simple choice between a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with either

109bhp or 94bhp, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 148bhp. The smaller engine comes with the option of a manual or DSG automatic gearbox, but the

bigger one only gets the DSG box.

Due to Covid kerfuffels, VW brought three left-hand drive cars to the UK for British critics to try, rather than putting on a

launch for the car abroad. I drove a 1.5 Taigo TSI in R-Line trim which in UK spec will cost £29,140. That’s about a grand more than the equivalent T-Cross, but VW will justify that by pointing out the extra style you get for your money.

And yes, the Taigo is a nice looking car. A full-width light bar at the back adds a bit of class and the shape itself is pleasing.

There’s more good news inside – although all models get digital instruments there are still plenty of analogue features here.

There are actual buttons on the steering wheel and not highly annoying touch-sensitive pads.

Also, there is a separate control panel for the heating controls. Brilliant, I just wish VW’s bigger cars, and especially the Golf, had such a user-friendly set-up.

Remember manual handbrakes? There’s one of these inside the Taigo. VW’s newest machine is almost feeling retro.

You might think the sloping roof 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.

I drove to the Taigo test at VW’s Milton Keynes HQ at the wheel of a new Polo – the one we wrote about a couple of weeks ago. It was metallic purple, a colour that would look terrific on the Taigo.

Being lower to the ground, the Polo is a better car to drive on twisty roads – but its taller brother is not bad at all. The steering is light and accurate enough and the ride is comfortable. There’s plenty of shove from what is the most powerful engine available in the Taigo.

Incidentally, VW has ruled out any GTI or R-spec Taigos so 148bhp is your lot. It’s more than adequate with 0-62mph in 8.3sec.

I wasn’t expecting to like it as it’s not my sort of car.

And I was particularly expecting to be rather sniffy having arrived in the Polo, which is very much my sort of motor.

Volkswagen handed out mince pies during our visit – but a slice of humble pie may have been rather more appropriate.

I just wish VW’s bigger cars had such a user friendly set-up inside