Volkswagen Taigo review
The Volkswagen Taigo is a stylish coupe-SUV that doesn’t compromise on practicality
Our opinion on the Volkswagen Taigo
The Volkswagen Taigo is based on the more upright-looking T-Cross, but it features smoother lines and a lowered stance. In contrast to its sleek appearance, the Taigo still comes with enough space and flexibility to appeal to family buyers.
Contrary to its funkier appearance, the Taigo still drives like a T-Cross. In other words, it’s not particularly fun from behind the wheel. However, it does make up for this with sturdy build quality, good levels of standard equipment and reasonable efficiency.
About the Volkswagen Taigo
The Taigo acts as the more stylish coupe-SUV sibling to the boxier Volkswagen T-Cross, with both cars sharing the mechanical makeup. However, unlike some other coupe-SUVs, the Taigo doesn’t give up too much in the way of crucial day-to-day usability. However, it is more expensive to buy.
We’ve tested the Taigo extensively during its lifetime. During our twin test against the previous-generation Toyota C-HR, the VW fell short of its rival. However, one key area where this car continues to have the advantage is with its lower price.
Volkswagen Taigo prices and latest deals
Starting from around £25,000, the Taigo manages to undercut a large number of other small SUVs, including the coupe-esque Toyota C-HR and Peugeot 408. The most expensive variant is the Black Edition with the most powerful 1.5-litre engine fitted, which starts from around £33,500.
Used - available now
2024 Volkswagen
Taigo
34,460 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £13,300
2024 Volkswagen
Taigo
35,257 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £13,300
2027 Volkswagen
Taigo
29,731 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £14,197
2024 Volkswagen
Taigo
13,746 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £16,205You can save on the list price by building your new Volkswagen Taigo with the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We also have a number of Taigo leasing deals to choose from, along with used Taigo models in stock.
Performance & driving experience
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Buyers shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the stylish, sporty-looking Taigo comes with extra performance credentials over its Volkswagen T-Cross sibling, and there’s no hot R model at the top of the range.
Instead, the options are a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI petrol engine with either 94bhp or 113bhp. Alternatively, a four-cylinder 1.5-litre TSI with 148bhp is also available in the the very fanciest Black Edition model.
The entry-level 94bhp model is paired solely with a five-speed manual gearbox, while moving up to the 113bhp version — our recommended choice — gives you the choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. The larger 1.5-litre is fitted with the DSG auto as standard.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| Taigo 1.0 TSI Life | 94bhp | 11.1 seconds | 114mph |
| Taigo 1.0 TSI 115 Match | 113bhp | 9.9 seconds | 122mph |
| Taigo 1.5 TSI 150 Black Edition DSG | 148bhp | 8.2 seconds | 132mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
The entry-level 1.0-litre engine is capable of 0-62mph in a sluggish 11.1 seconds, so we’d recommend investing a bit more in the more powerful three-cylinder if you opt for any model except the Black Edition. Not only does this shave down the 0-62mph to 9.9 seconds, but it also provides a useful torque boost.
If you are tempted by the priciest Taigo, this is also the quickest as the four-cylinder 1.5-litre allows it to cover the 0-62mph sprint in 8.2 seconds. It also has the highest top speed.
Town driving, visibility and parking
The Taigo’s engine line-up pretty much reflects the true character of this coupe-SUV; a leisurely, laid-back cruiser that just gets on with typical everyday driving. There’s a focus on overall stability and comfort, although there’s a bit more road noise than we’d like and a fidgety ride at lower speeds.
If you frequently take on the urban commutes, it might seem odd that in the manual vs automatic gearbox debate, we’d recommend the manual. However, we found the DSG auto to be jerky when attempting to park, and it was also a bit hesitant when pulling away from junctions – not ideal traits if you spend a lot of time navigating the hustle and bustle of busy streets.
Country road driving and handling
With its light steering, and higher centre of gravity, the Taigo provides very little of the fun factor. However, it does feel safe and assured enough if you enter a corner at a reasonably high speed. That being said, this is no sports car, and comfort is by far the priority.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
The Taigo is perfectly pleasant at motorway speeds, and it remains calm and comfortable enough for longer trips. Opting for the more powerful engines means it feels responsive at these higher speeds, but the DSG transmission can become a bit flummoxed when overtaking. This is yet another reason why we’d stick with the manual.
MPG & running costs
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What the entry-level 1.0-litre engine lacks in power, it makes up for in efficiency as it boasts the highest WLTP combined figure of the line-up at 53.2mpg. However, the more powerful 1.0-litre engine’s increased thirst is negligible, returning 52mpg.
There’s an ever-so-slightly bigger penalty to pay for the punchier 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit, but it’s still easy on the bank account at up to 48.5mpg.
It’s worth noting, however, that choosing the DSG auto option on the 1.0-litre cars will take a slightly increased toll on fuel economy compared to the manuals. However, this consequence certainly isn’t unique to the Taigo.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| Taigo 1.0 TSI Life | 53.2mpg | 121g/km | 13 |
| Taigo 1.0 TSI 115 Match | 52mpg | 124g/km | 18 |
| Taigo 1.5 TSI 150 Black Edition DSG | 48.5mpg | 133g/km | 24 |
Insurance groups
The entry 94bhp 1.0-litre Life model should be relatively cheap to insure because it occupies insurance group 13 (out of 50), but upgrading to the 113bhp variant only bumps this up to group 14E. Predictably, the most expensive and most powerful 1.5-litre Black Edition commands the highest premiums in group 24.
In comparison, the Toyota C-HR is generally pricier to cover as it starts from group 20 and goes as high as group 27.
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Tax
There aren’t any VED road tax savings to be had with the Volkswagen Taigo, but every single model does at least fly below the £40,000 combustion luxury car tax threshold.
The complete lack of electrification renders the Taigo as a poorer option as a company car. Instead, you’ll be far better off looking towards an electric SUV for the very lowest Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates. The Skoda Elroq and Toyota C-HR+ are two of our preferred smaller models.
Depreciation
Volkswagen cars tend to perform strongly across the used market, and the Taigo coupe-SUV is no exception. After a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period, our market data shows that this model should retain between 48 and 52 per cent of its original value. This car’s Volkswagen T-Cross sibling also shares these numbers.
The Toyota C-HR, on the other hand, is a weaker performer after the same amount of time or miles, at only 42 to 49 per cent.
To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool…
Interior, design & technology
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With a sloping roofline, lower bonnet and a 66mm reduction in height over the Volkswagen T-Cross, the Taigo will look smart on the school run, and it has that extra kerb appeal that’s so important to plenty of the nation’s drivers. But it’s not all form over function; the Taigo is longer than the model it's based on, which helps keep interior space up to par.
The standard kit is reasonable, although we’d recommend moving up to the Match trim as this adds extra kit for a very small additional outlay of less than £300. One bugbear with the Taigo, though, is VW’s infamous touch-sensitive climate controls, which are simply a nuisance to use on the move and are positioned too low to be within easy reach.
Interior and dashboard design
The Taigo’s cabin doesn’t throw up too many surprises as the dash is lifted straight from the T-Cross, although there is the option to customise the look with a painted finish to match the car’s body colour.
Materials and build quality
Softer materials are used higher on the Taigo’s dashboard and door cards, but you won’t need to venture too far to find a selection of lower grade plastics lower down. It’s still a pretty smart and pleasant car to sit in, but we would suggest opting for a lighter interior trim colour in order to help to lift the ambience.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
The Taigo’s Discover Media set-up is a familiar one that’s hard to find fault with. The main menu is neatly laid out with a selection of tiles, while the screen is flanked by a set of touch-sensitive shortcut keys and physical knobs for the volume and navigation zoom functions, so it’s easy to find what you choose.
VW’s built-in navigation loads quickly enough, and a proximity sensor brings up certain functions when you move your hand toward the display, so the screen is uncluttered when you don’t need them. Loading times are fine, although the screen lags slightly when swiping through the menus.
The Taigo gets a digital driver’s display with an eight-inch set-up used on the Match and Life models, but the pricier Style and Black Edition trims upgrade this to a 10.25-inch system. On the latter system, you can switch between screens to show various bits of information, such as navigation instructions and driver assistance information. If all that scares you, don’t worry – there’s a screen with conventional-looking dials, too.
Boot space & practicality
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Despite offering a style upgrade over its Volkswagen T-Cross sibling, the Taigo doesn’t disappoint in terms of overall practicality.
Generally speaking, there’s a good amount of space on offer, but one small grumble of ours is that we didn’t like the design of the two cup holders between the front seats. They’re shaped hexagonally and struggle to hold anything more than a small coffee cup. It’s an odd feature in an otherwise ergonomically sound interior.
Dimensions and size
The Taigo is a bit longer than the T-Cross, although not quite as wide, but the Toyota C-HR is even longer than both.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Volkswagen Taigo | Toyota C-HR | Nissan Juke |
| Length | 4,266mm | 4,362mm | 4,210mm |
| Width | 1,757mm | 1,832mm | 1,800mm |
| Height | 1,518mm | 1,564mm | 1,593mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,550mm | 2,640mm | 2,640mm |
| Boot space | 440 litres |
388 litres (1.8 hybrid) 364 litres (2.0 hybrid) 310 litres (PHEV) | 350 litres |
Seats & passenger space
Volkswagen has done an excellent job of ensuring that the Taigo’s sloping roofline doesn’t impact headroom for rear passengers, while legroom is good throughout the cabin. Space upfront is not dissimilar to the T-Cross, meaning it should be fine for most.
Family car buyers will be pleased to see Isofix points in the front and rear passenger seats; they’re easy to reach, with access made all the easier by the large rear door opening.
Boot space
At 440 litres, the Taigo’s boot capacity is only 15 litres down on the T-Cross, and it’s well ahead of the Toyota C-HR, which offers a maximum load space of 388 litres.
Adding to the Taigo’s practicality is the large tailgate opening, low load lip and adjustable boot floor. Folding the rear seats unlocks a total of 1,222 litres.
Towing
If you’re prioritising towing ability, the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI is the engine to go for. It is rated to tow up to 1,200kg, while the 113bhp 1.0-litre limit is 1,100kg, followed by the 94bhp version with a maximum braked trailer load of 1,000kg.
These should be perfectly fine for a smaller trailer, but those in need of a real load lugger will be better off a diesel-powered Skoda Karoq, as this can handle up to 2,100kg.
Reliability & safety
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Safety levels for the Volkswagen Taigo are some of the strongest in the small SUV class, underpinned by the coupe-SUV’s five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating that it received in 2022.
All Taigo models feature adaptive cruise control, a driver fatigue alert, autonomous emergency braking, a side assist function which monitors blind spots while driving and a Travel Assist system, which offers a level of semi-autonomous driving using onboard, radar-based cameras. For those who find parking a chore, park assist helps with parallel or bay parking.
Neither the Taigo nor T-Cross appeared in the most recent Driver Power survey, but Volkswagen’s performance as a brand left a lot to be desired. With only a 27th place finish out of 31 in the best manufacturer rankings, numerous rivals including Ford (23rd), Kia (18th), Mazda (17th), and Toyota (14th) all placed higher.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2022) |
| Adult occupant protection | 94% |
| Child occupant protection | 84% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 71% |
| Safety assist | 70% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Volkswagen Taigo 1.0 TSI 115 Match
There’s a tiny price difference between the base Life model and the slightly fancier Match, so we’d happily invest a few hundred more pounds to get the additional kit on offer. Opting for the more powerful 1.0-litre engine doesn't come at a real efficiency cost, either, so we think it’s worth it. Sticking with the manual gearbox is the better option here, though, as the DSG is a bit dimwitted. Only choose the auto if you are unable to drive a manual car.
Volkswagen Taigo alternatives
Small coupe-esque SUVs are high fashion on the current market, so there are a number of rivals to delve into. The Toyota C-HR and Nissan Juke are two of the most prevalent cars on UK roads, and while they aren’t quite as practical as the Taigo, they do come with the advantage of hybrid power.
Key updates of the Volkswagen Tiguan review
18 May 2026: Latest driving impressions and model line-up information.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty for the Taigo is fairly typical, but it’s nowhere near as generous as you’ll find with the Toyota C-HR. This car benefits from up to ten years of cover.
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