Volkswagen Taigo (2022) 1.0TSI Life Review
Crossover-crazy South Africans are going even more nuts for the new Volkswagen Taigo, the brand’s latest compact T-model to join the brand’s off-road friendly lineup. After a week with this stylish (but spacious) little number, we can tell you exactly why it may steal even more hearts than its similarly-sized stablemate, the T-Cross.
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The Taigo, SA’s smallest coupé-style crossover, is basically a smaller version of the Golf-based T-Roc, with the same sloping roofline and sensuous curves. The Taigo is also built on Volkswagen’s lightweight, safe, and versatile MQB platform which has been a one-size-fits-all solution for many of the T-models, and also underpins the T-Cross and Tiguan, for example. The Taigo 1.0TSI Life is ever-so-slightly longer than the T-Cross and weighs in at 60 kilos more than the entry-level T-Cross model.
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Styling
As I’ve already mentioned, the Taigo’s sports a coupé-crossover-look which is highly fashionable and will remain so for many years to come. With its forward-sloping C-pillar and long roofline that flows elegantly into the roof spoiler, along with a striking rear overhang, sharp character lines, large wheels and purposeful wheel-arch cladding, you can’t help but take notice or even stare, which is exactly what the townsfolk did when they encountered the brand-spanking, newly-launched Volkswagen Taigo rolling into Hermanus and the rest of the Overberg. It’s not often that a sub-R430 000 car gets this much attention from onlookers!
Viewed from the front, the Taigo also oozes sex appeal, due in part to its muscular nose and handsome swept-back IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights (an optional extra which is standard in the Style and R-Line package) with an LED light strip that connects the two headlamps. The Taigo can be had in one of eight exterior colours, but this pale off-white solid colour, affectionately known as Pale Café Latte (my name, not Volkswagen’s) looks great and doesn’t take one’s attention away from the Taigo’s attractive shape.
I will admit that my favourite view of the Taigo is from the rear - the black LED taillight unit with its continuous red light strip forms a signature that is aesthetically very pleasing and fashion-forward.
Interior
The cabin looks familiar and reminds us of the T-Roc, T-Cross, and Polo, but the Taigo’s hard surfaces are covered in firm-but-squishy soft-touch plastics. Even in the entry-level model, things literally feel more upmarket! The seat material is a bit dull in the Life model but the glossy dashboard accents and brushed chrome finishes assist in making the cabin look a little less 'poverty-spec'.
Our test model also had an optional 8-inch Composition Media display fitted with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, (usually the Life model has the smaller Composition Colour Display) as well as a wireless charging station for your smartphone. There are two USB C-ports for the driver and front passenger, but the rear passengers also have two designated USB C-ports at their disposal to keep all devices charged up
In the Taigo Life, our test model, a Digitial Cockpit is standard - the more colourful and advanced Digital Cockpit Pro calls the Taigo Style and Taigo R-Line home.
Space and comfort
The rear seat doesn’t offer major legroom for taller adults but it’s enough for persons of average height. My son's three 13-year-old friends who needed a lift home after his birthday lunch, sat side-by-side comfortably, each with a three-point safety belt on.
Unlike the T-Cross, the rear bench doesn’t recline, but the boot is a generous 440 litres when all seats are upright. The large boot also served us well when we needed to take multiple bags of clothing and bric-a-brac to charitable organisations.
The drive
The Taigo’s 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine (with 85kW and 200Nm) mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox is no stranger to South Africans - it’s utilised in many Volkswagen models such as the Polo and T-Cross. In the Taigo, performance is decent enough for city and highway driving and thanks to a sport mode things can feel a little more lively if you prefer a more responsive throttle, but your fuel usage will be higher so it’s best left in normal mode, especially in this day and age. A six-speed manual Taigo would be my top choice, if only it existed.
The Taigo’s suspension is also slightly harder than the T-Cross which behaves more like an SUV than a sporty crossover. During our tenure with the Taigo we drove a variety of mountain passes and the Taigo stuck to the tarmac like a thorny weed on an unkempt French poodle!
Fuel economy
According to Volkswagen, fuel consumption figures should be around 5.4 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle, but this isn't terribly accurate. Only very relaxed highway driving will return an average of 6 - 6.5 litres per 100 km.
In town, our fuel consumption rose to 9-10 litres per 100 km and a straight, flat route yielded 7 litres per 100 km. Our trip from Hermanus to Cape town included the Sir Lowry’s Pass as well as the Houwhoek Pass and our average consumption came to 8.3 litres per 100 km which isn’t fantastic; however, once the Taigo is run in properly, these figures will probably improve. (Our test model was as fresh and new as the first June snow!)
Safety
The Taigo scored a full five stars in the EuroNCAP safety test, which is among the strictest worldwide.
Price
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Volkswagen Taigo 1.0TSI Life | R429 900 |
| Volkswagen Taigo 1.0TSI Style | R464 100 |
| Volkswagen Taigo 10TS R-Line | R486 000 |
Other competitors
The entry-level Taigo 1.0TSI Life’s other key competitors include the Ford EcoSport 1.0T Titanium auto (R416 900), the aforementioned Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS (R425 400) and Kia Seltos 1.6 EX auto (R426 995), the Toyota C-HR 1.2T (R429 000), Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GLX AllGrip (R429 900) and the Mazda CX-3 2.0 Dynamic (R430 600). Spend a few bucks more, however, and the top-spec, turbocharged Vitara 1.4T GLX (at R436 900) or Corolla Cross in XR trim (R438 200), could be yours.
Related: VW Taigo vs Opel Mokka vs. Hyundai Kona - Which is the best value?
Verdict
The Taigo gets four out of five stars from me because of its thirst. As for the Taigo as a whole, it’s yet another solidly built, sophisticated and highly attractive Volkswagen which will be on many a Christmas list this year.
If I had money to spend on a sexy little crossover, however, and I wasn’t entirely budget- or performance-driven, a Volkswagen dealership would be on the receiving end with their trendy Taigo. I am a sucker for a good-looking crossover, even if it’s not the fastest or most frugal!
