Sporty looks: The Volkswagen Taigo 1.0 TSI R-Line has coupé-style lines and good ground clearance.
Volkswagen has been plugging more and more of the holes in the crossover and SUV market and there’s one for just about everyone.
The latest addition is the Taigo.
Its coupé-style body certainly has a presence. We are testing the R-line, Volkswagen’s sporty trim option, not to be confused with the full-fat R high-performance nameplate.
The Taigo driving experience is pleasant, especially on the highway, and the vehicle’s good ground clearance makes it easy to navigate gravel roads and corrugated tarmac.
The engine is nothing to write home about. It feels largely underpowered and has considerable turbo lag, which hinders off-the-line acceleration.
The specs would explain this — the Taigo packs a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder, which develops 85kW and 200Nm. I do think that the 100kW mark could be a game-changer for this compact crossover.
The motor is paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox which, under normal driving conditions, does the job well.
The seventh gear allows for better fuel efficiency on the highway and on road trips, claiming an impressive 5.4l/100km.
In practice, I did struggle to get it down to these numbers, mustering an average figure of 5.8 litres. Still, it’s impressive for a petrol-powered crossover of this size.
I did, however, find that on rougher road surfaces, the low-profile 18-inch tyres added some bite to the ride quality.
On the inside, it’s all chic. I especially appreciated the moody feel created by the predominantly black colour scheme.
There is a lot of plastic but, overall, it doesn’t detract from the ambiance.
The gloss black accents around the infotainment display and the drive selector didn’t do much for me but that’s a personal preference.
Chic: The Volkswagen Taigo 1.0 TSI R-Line’s interior is mostly black with red accents and the suede-and-leather seats are comfortable.
The R-Line brings suede textures to the seats, which are both visually appealing and comfortable.
The seating position is rather high, which can limit headroom for lanky individuals such as myself.
Volkswagen’s Taigo R-Line comes standard with high-quality in-car technology, including a Beats audio system; an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Bluetooth; a 10.25-inch driver display and a Comfort Package, which offers keyless entry and door-locking facilities.
It also offers features such as a rearview camera and parking assist.
There is a wireless charger for those individuals whose phone batteries drain faster than Max Verstappen’s in qualifying.
Cost of ownership? The VW Taigo R-Line will set you back R537 100, which is not cheap, but cheaper than its rivals. These include the Toyota C-HR Luxury at R612 000 and the Ford Puma Titanium at R569 900.
The Taigo comes with a 3-year/120 000km warranty and a 3-year/45 000km Easy Drive service plan. The plan is a little short but provides you with peace of mind in the early stages of vehicle ownership.
In conclusion, the Taigo R-Line is a stylish crossover that is a pleasure to drive for the most part.
The ride quality is good, despite the occasional jolt on bad road surfaces, and it is a great option for the daily commute and the odd road trip.
My only reservation is the slightly underpowered 1.0-litre engine but, if styling and specifications are more important factors than pure power, it’s almost a no-brainer.
The excellent fuel consumption might also help sway your decision.