Volkswagen Tayron: For Those Who Prefer No Surprises

The Volkswagen Tayron may carry a new name, but it steps into the shoes once filled by the Tiguan Allspace. Positioned neatly between the Tiguan and the larger Touareg, the Tayron is like the all-knowing family patriarch—reliable, versatile, and always prepared to handle both a baby bottle and a fine whiskey glass. It finally fills the gap in Volkswagen's SUV lineup, a gap as under-acknowledged as the dust beneath an old Passat’s seat.

The Tayron stretches 112 mm longer in wheelbase than the standard Tiguan. This isn’t just a figure in a brochure; it translates to real comfort, especially for third-row passengers who no longer need to contort themselves like circus acrobats in a tiny plane lavatory. This SUV promises family-friendly space without sacrificing comfort, aiming to blend Touareg-level luxury with Tiguan-like affordability.

All this character is built upon the updated MQB evo platform—the same technical foundation found in the latest Passats and Tiguans. Tayron gets the best of it: plug-in hybrids, a new generation of infotainment and driver assistance tech, and aids that might understand you better than your spouse.

Design-wise, the Tayron is as German as it gets: straight lines, meticulously calculated proportions, and no excess. Forget the spaceships from Peugeot or the boxy Santa Fe. The Tayron measures 4.77 meters long, 1.85 wide, and 1.66 high. Its front end is serious and substantial, exuding the gravitas of a German banker. Big hood? Check. Wide grille? Absolutely. LED Matrix headlights? Standard. These are not just glorified flashlights but adaptive lights that peer into curves.

The real show begins at night. The Tayron’s light signature, with full-width taillights, animations, and glowing badges, feels like a city’s neon billboard. Choose the Elegance or R-Line trims for extra flair: one in chrome, the other in gloss black, depending on your mood or ego.

The profile is classic, straight, even a touch dull—which is the point. No freehand Korean sketches here, just ruler-straight design, a long roofline, well-defined D-pillar, and a trademark triangular rear window extension. The wheel arches are clad in plastic for a hint of SUV ruggedness, but let’s face it, this car’s off-road adventures will likely be limited to dropping kids off at scout camp, not bear tracking. Wheels go up to 20 inches, underscoring its urban credentials. The R-Line adds sportier bumpers and gloss-black trim to distinguish it from base models.

So, the Tayron is like a German lawyer: respectable, discreet, expensive, but not flashy. It may seem dull compared to stylish French or adventurous Korean rivals, but its disciplined composure and understated confidence ultimately win out. This is a car for those who appreciate knowing every bolt is exactly where it should be.

Inside, Tayron’s cabin marks a return to Volkswagen’s roots—where everything worked and felt premium. Genuine wood trim or plush ArtVelours Eco suede resist even the stickiest kids’ snacks. And if any plastic remains, it’s so well hidden that even your most discerning friends won’t spot it.

The dashboard centerpiece is a touchscreen, either 12.9 or 15 inches, depending on your appetite for digital real estate—this time, it actually works. Menus are intuitive, software is responsive, and adjusting the volume doesn’t require a PhD. Physical buttons are back, at least partially: real dials for volume and drive modes, and even illuminated sliders. Volkswagen seems to have realized that people do drive at night.

Ahead of the driver sits a 10.25-inch digital cluster, fully customizable. The center offers clever two-tier storage, perfect for hiding your phone. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ten-color ambient lighting, and tri-zone climate control are all standard. Higher trims add even more lighting drama and seats with massage and ventilation—because nothing soothes a summer traffic jam like a cool seat.

Space is Tayron's trump card. Not just adequate, but the golden mean. The second row slides and reclines, giving even the tallest passengers room to stretch. Kids get gadget holders, USB ports, and an armrest ideal for propping up a tablet. The third row? Airline economy class—fine for a short trip or for kids, but at least you don’t need to be a yoga master to climb in. In the world of seven-seaters, that counts for something.

Cargo space tops out at 885 liters, or realistically about 805 depending on how you measure—still plenty. Plug-in hybrids lose a bit, but the overall capacity remains huge. Fold all the seats and you’ve got a near-van: two meters of flat floor, ready for bikes, dressers, or gift boxes.

Little delights abound: sun shades that stay put, a power liftgate you can open with a foot wave, and storage lined with velvet-like material—as if cradling a Fabergé egg, not just a gum pack.

If the engine lineup were a menu, Tayron’s would rival a well-stocked restaurant. Volkswagen didn’t skimp here. Eco-friendly hybrid? Check. Autobahn-ready power? Absolutely. Diesel for torque lovers? You bet.

It starts with the modest 1.5 eTSI: 150 hp and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It moves—nothing exhilarating, but adequate for city life. Zero to sixty in 9.4 seconds is more than the lifespan of some TikTok trends. But if you plan to tow or climb hills with a full load, you’ll want more.

Enter the 2.0 TSI engines: 204 or 265 hp, all-wheel drive standard, and DSG transmission. The more powerful version uses a 6-speed DSG because the 7-speed couldn’t handle the grunt. With 265 hp, you get a 0-100 km/h sprint in about six seconds—quicker than some hot hatches. You may not need it daily, but like cake in the fridge, it is good to know it’s there.

Prefer old-school torque? The 2.0 TDI diesels, at 150 or 193 hp, offer 360 or 400 Nm instantly. These tow up to 2.5 tons—be it a horse, a boat, or an ambitious Ikea haul—while sipping just 5.6 liters per 100 km.

But the Tayron’s tech showcase is the plug-in hybrid. Here, Volkswagen puts on its lab coat and delivers German efficiency with a dash of engineering ambition: 204 or 272 hp, pairing a 1.5 TSI with an electric motor, 6-speed DSG, and up to 127 km of pure electric range. With access to a plug and basic discipline, you can run errands all week on electricity alone.

The stronger hybrid hits 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds—matching the 2.0 TSI but in near silence. Play your charging cards right and you’ll average just 2.8 liters per 100 km—an absurd number for a car this size. CO₂? Just 9–10 grams per kilometer. Environmentally friendly is an understatement. However, the gas tank is smaller (45 liters), so forget to charge and you’ll be seeing gas stations more often.

Charging speed is solid: 50 kW DC fills the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes—just enough time for a quick bite and some existential office thoughts.

If you’ve ever dreamed of an SUV that glides over city potholes without spilling your coffee or provoking endless “Are we there yet?” from the backseat, the Tayron is your rolling sanctuary. It’s not an adrenaline machine, but rather a car that lowers your blood pressure. Settle behind the wheel, bask in the amplified quiet, and the world feels less annoying.

From the high captain’s chair, surrounded by massive windows, you command traffic like a general from a tank turret—or at least someone who’s realized the road is not a competition. And the silence is profound, thanks to acoustic glass and sound-deadening materials that could calm even hyperactive kids.

Suspension feels homey and soft, soaking up bumps even on 20-inch wheels with poised, effortless grace. The body sways gently—part of the charm. If you want go-kart handling, buy a go-kart.

Add DCC Pro active suspension and you get 15 damper settings. In reality, you’ll pick Comfort and forget the rest, just like a good coffee machine: one button and it does its job.

Steering is light and very German. Even a first-year student could maneuver the Tayron around town. It’s not totally numb, though—there’s feedback when something interesting happens up front. On winding roads, Tayron won’t thrill enthusiasts, but it stays composed. Tires grip, and XDS brakes the inside wheel when needed.

With R-Line sport suspension and 20-inch wheels, you’ll feel the odd bump, the price for a more assertive look. For a smoother ride, stick to Life or Elegance with 18 to 19-inch wheels.

The plug-in hybrid’s brake pedal is a bit odd—sticky, not always immediate. The transition from regen to regular braking could be smoother.

Tayron can semi-drive itself: lane changes, distance keeping, all under control. Not eyes-closed, but you might risk a quick wink.

Worried about safety? The Tayron is like a protective parent—five Euro NCAP stars, with 87 percent adult safety, 85 percent for children, 83 percent for pedestrians/cyclists, and 80 percent for assist systems. Nine airbags standard, including a center one between driver and passenger, plus ISOFIX even on the front seat. All controls, headrests, and levers are optimized for safety.

Active safety is just as robust: autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, and exit warning—Tayron watches in all directions with German precision.

Adaptive cruise with Stop&Go brakes to a halt and resumes, zen-like. It self-parks too. And you can add Night Vision, electronic child locks, IQ.Light matrix headlights that project lane markers, and proactive brake alerts.

If all else fails, Tayron’s eCall system automatically dials for help, free for the first years. One caveat: reverse AEB doesn’t detect pedestrians, so keep an eye on the camera.

What stands out in the Tayron:

- Best-in-class space: three rows (except plug-in hybrid), sliding second row, huge boot, and a cabin fit for tall adults, kids, and even the dog crate.
- Quietness: Acoustic glass and heavy insulation make it a rolling library, a rare luxury in today’s family cars.
- User-friendly tech: Volkswagen finally ditches the all-touch panel experiment for real buttons and logical controls. Driver aids work, infotainment is sane, and it’s all understandable after a long workday.
- Broad, sensible engine range: choose from mild hybrids, strong diesels, peppy petrols, or a plug-in hybrid that out-EVs some electric cars.
- Five-star safety, standard: All key safety tech included from the base trim. Tayron is determined to keep you out of harm’s way.

Points to consider:

- Emotionless design: Solid and calm, but perhaps too calm. If you want wow factor, look elsewhere.
- Lacks sporty handling: Light steering, soft suspension, safe understeer. Not a car for attacking corners.
- Price approaches premium: Tayron costs more than Kodiaq or Sorento. You get a lot, but pay extra for the VW badge.
- No third row in the plug-in hybrid: Want seven seats and electric drive? Sorry, not here. Check the Kia Sorento for that combo.
- PHEV brake feel and small tank: Regenerative and regular brakes don’t always blend smoothly. The 45-liter tank means you’ll visit fuel stations if you forget to charge.

The Tayron is like a well-mannered German engineer: never raises its voice, never late, never forgets, never flaunts, never pretends to be sporty or digital-futuristic. It just works—quietly and comfortably, as a family car should.

If you need a car for kids, a dog, and a stroller, Tayron is your answer. Want to enjoy music without a noisy engine? Tayron. Need directions to the nearest gas station, but not an AI therapist? The IDA system listens and responds without psychoanalyzing you.

Is it pricier than some rivals? Yes. Sportier than a bicycle? No. But that’s not the point. The Tayron is designed to be the car you never have to think about, because it simply takes care of everything—precision-engineered, the German way.