The VW Taigo is Volkswagen’s first coupe SUV and made waves back in 2022 when it made its local debut. Towards the end of 2022, we got to sample the Taigo 1.0 TSI Life, and now we recently got to sample the range-topping and stunning R-Line model.
Let’s start with the styling of the Taigo R-Line. It takes on a coupe-like design that looks quite athletic. Our tester came optioned with the Black Styling Package which blacks out trim bits and adds 18-inch black Misano wheels. We internally called it the Darth Vader, and we think it looks epic. Overall, we love the look, which is further enhanced by standard IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, privacy glass for rear side windows and rear windows, and sporty front and rear bumpers.
Inside, the Taigo looks similar to the Polo, which is not a bad thing as the Polo has a well-sought-after cabin. With that being said, there is a fair use of plastics which most likely won’t be a deal-breaker for most. In front of the driver lies a Digital Cockpit Pro display, and to the side, an 8.0-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. One thing we don’t like about the interior is the finicky touch panels for the air-conditioning controls; conventional buttons are much preferred. With a 440-liter boot (1222 liters with the rear seats folded), it has plenty of room for a small family.
Powering the Taigo R-Line and like the rest of the range is a 1.0-litre TSI engine that produces 85kW and 200Nm and sends its power to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG transmission. We have to admit that low down it does suffer from turbo lag, but once you get up to speed, overtaking and cruising are a breeze. Whilst VW claims 5.4 L/100 km, we were able to get close with an average of 5.6 L/100km on the open road. Everyday driving returned a decent 6.3 L/100 km. One of the highlights of driving this car is how comfortable it is. It irons out most road imperfections and it’s quite fun to drive hurriedly.
The Taigo is a neat package from Volkswagen as it’s spacious, has great tech, and drives very comfortably. Our chariot, the Taigo R-Line, starts from R545,200.00 and with that kind of money, you can get yourself a Polo GTI, which is a tried and tested formula. With that being said, it would be a slight compromise in terms of practicality. What would you pick, practicality or performance?
