New name should bring more attention
At the beginning of the year, Volkswagen introduced the new Tiguan and had delivered over 40,000 units in Germany by the end of August. And that despite the fact that an important offshoot was previously missing from the configurator: the Tiguan Allspace.
VW will not release the long version with seven seats until the end of 2024, but then under the new name Tayron. Wolfsburg wants to market its second-largest SUV (in Europe), positioned between the Tiguan and Touareg, as an independent series from now on in order to generate more attention for the model. The longer SUV differs from the Tiguan especially at the front: its bonnet is significantly higher, which makes the car look a little more massive and at the same time better protects pedestrians. Since there is more air between the sheet metal and the engine block, the hood does not have to be raised mechanically at lightning speed in the event of an accident, as in the Tiguan. However, there is no change in the general vehicle height – the Tayron also measures 1.66 meters at the top.
Read now: First test VW Tiguan (2024)
The VW Tayron is not only longer, but also visually more massive
The distinctive double headlights are also slightly higher. With matrix LED technology, you can switch on your LEDs individually for an additional charge and illuminate the street depending on the traffic and lighting conditions. The new light signature introduced in the ID.7 in the form of an LED bar with an illuminated VW logo in the middle is also used. At the rear, the Tayron also shows which brand it comes from with a red glowing logo. LED technology opens up a lot of possibilities for manufacturers to stage their cars in a sophisticated way. And so the Tayron also creates an impressive light spectacle on its red light bench at the back as soon as the car is opened or closed.
In the interior, the SUV is on the same technical and visual level as the Passat, ID.7 or Touareg. There are digital instruments, a huge screen, easy operation – even by voice – and lots of options for customizing light, sound and optics. Depending on the equipment, VW generously uses open-pore wood or backlit applications in the dashboard and door panels.
Access to the third row of seats is difficult
At 4.77 meters, the Tayron is around 23 centimeters longer than the new Tiguan. Half of the increase in length benefits the trunk, the rest goes to the interior, where VW can install two folding seats in the rear upon request. But while you sit exceptionally comfortably on the high back seat and have plenty of space for your legs, the two seats in the third row only accommodate children. You have to be quite agile to climb into the rear through the narrow gap between the sliding bench and the C-pillar.
The backrests of all seats can be folded down to create a flat loading area that only rises slightly at the front. Up to 2,090 liters of storage space is an announcement and even with the backrests up, several suitcases and bags can be loaded behind the back seat of the five-seater. Thanks to its high body, the Tayron could definitely serve as a small van for trips to the hardware store or furniture store.
Significantly more expensive than the Tiguan
It will be introduced in October at prices starting at around 45,000 euros, the Tiguan starts at 38,250 euros. However, the difference to the shorter brother is put into perspective when you take a closer look. The large SUV does without the basic equipment, runs at least in Life level and with a 150 hp TSI petrol engine including DSG. If you compare these versions, the surcharge for the long model shrinks to a fair 2,200 euros. The price difference to the Skoda Kodiaq is somewhat larger – the group subsidiary offers its largest SUV from around 42,000 euros. Incidentally, VW emphasizes that the new Tayron is not a simple copy of the Kodiaq. Although the same basis is used, the car was otherwise developed independently in Wolfsburg and also rolls off the production line there. The Skoda, in turn, is manufactured in the Czech Republic.
But back to the drive portfolio, which is similar to that of the Tiguan. At the top end, the people of Lower Saxony are relying on the two new plug-in hybrid variants, which VW also uses in the Passat and Golf. They travel a good 100 kilometers electrically and can even be charged with up to 50 kW using a DC fast charger. The part-time electric vehicles are also suitable for customers who actually want to drive electrically but don’t yet have the courage or don’t have the necessary charging infrastructure at home. However, because of the battery in the back of the floor, the PHEV models are only available as five-seaters. Mile eaters choose one of the two well-known diesels with 150 or 193 hp. The more powerful TDI comes with 4Motion all-wheel drive as standard and is therefore particularly suitable if you want to make the most of the trailer load of up to 2.5 tonnes. VW also offers three petrol engines with up to 265 hp, two of which also have all-wheel drive technology.
VW is using a new clutch for the 4×4. To save fuel, it disconnects the rear axle when the road is dry. Only when more grip is needed does it transfer the drive forces to the rear wheels via the cardan shaft. When a trailer is coupled, the technology activates the so-called Trailer Assist. This distributes the drive forces depending on the load and prevents the trailer from starting to sway, for example if the support load is too low. It also helps to circle the team backwards into tight spaces.
The seven-seater VW Atlas is offered in the USA.
Tayron/Atlas opinion & initial assessment
In the last few months we have experienced a real boom in seven-seat SUVs. Manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia, Renault, but also Skoda, Peugeot and now Volkswagen are eagerly expanding their SUV portfolios in order to meet the supposedly growing need for more seats. However, whether there is actually a large market for these spacious city SUVs remains to be seen.
Volkswagen has decided to turn the previous Tiguan Allspace into the new Tayron – a name that has been known in the VW portfolio in China since 2018. However, for many customers it is difficult to understand why Volkswagen is extending the Tiguan at great expense instead of simply bringing the more spacious VW Atlas from the USA to Europe. But the answer seems obvious: a cheaper Atlas could jeopardize sales of the higher-positioned Touareg. (Text: tv, hb/sp-x | Images: manufacturer)
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