VOLKSWAGEN TAYRON ESTATE 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG7 [7 Seat]

The Tayron is a sharper-looking kind of Volkswagen seven-seat family SUV. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.

Ten Second Review

Filling the gap in Volkswagen's SUV range between the Tiguan and the Touareg, the Tayron is a much more convincing seven-seat family crossover than its Tiguan Allspace predecessor. And brings a premium feel to the mainstream brand seven-seat crossover segment.

Background

'The Tayron is a bona fide Volkswagen'. This slightly strange statement from the brand's CEO conceals a veiled reference that perhaps its predecessor wasn't. That car, the Tiguan Allspace (which sold for seven years from 2017) was nothing more than a slightly stretched Tiguan with an extra seating row; in a segment where customers expect seven-seat mid-sized SUVs to be bespoke designs. Like the Peugeot 5008, the Nissan X-Trail and the Skoda Kodiaq. The Tayron shares virtually all of its engineering with the Kodiaq - and of course with the Tiguan. But is, Volkswagen assures us, very much its own car with a unique, quite premium look inside and out that supposed to better fill the brand's SUV segment gap between the Tiguan and the Touareg. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

One area where the Tayron couldn't be any different from its Tiguan stablemate was in terms of engineering. The drivetrains, all paired of course to DSG auto transmission, are pretty much exactly as you'll find them in that sister model - and very similar to those in that Volkswagen's Skoda Kodiaq close cousin. That means a defiant diesel offering - or if you really want to move on from that, the latest in Plug-in Hybrid tech. But like its VW Group stablemates, the Tayron lacks the self-charging full-Hybrid tech that you'd find in this sector with rivals from Kia, Hyundai, Peugeot and Toyota. Your dealer might tell you that the entry-level 150PS 48V mild hybrid 1.5 eTSI petrol-powered Tayron model offers much the same sort of thing, but it doesn't, as an efficiency figure comparison will demonstrate. We'd prefer the 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel. For 4MOTION 4WD, you have to have the 2.0 TSI petrol variant, which is offered with either 204PS or 265PS. Both these Tayron 4MOTION models are designed for maximum trailer weights of up to 2,400kg. It's a pity that VW's 4MOTION system can't be had on the PHEVs, which pair a 1.5-litre petrol engine to a 19.7kWh battery and offer a choice of 204PS or 272PS outputs, with a range of up to 75 miles.

Design and Build

Unlike its Tiguan Allspace predecessor, the Tayron shares nothing visually with the Tiguan it's based on. At 4,792mm in length (7cms longer than the old Tiguan Allspace), it's significantly bigger too, though still a size smaller than the Touareg. The overall look is very recognisably Volkswagen, with sharp LED lighting front and rear and a full-width illuminating bar across the tailgate. Predictably, the big black plastic- clad wheel arches house large rims - of up to 20-inches in size. Plus there are subtle roof rails and the upper glasshouse trim flows into interesting silver fin on the D-pillar. Top 'R Line' trim gives a much sportier look. Indoors, you might be expecting a dashboard carried over from the Tiguan or maybe customised from the Kodiaq but refreshingly it's neither, bespoke to the Tayron. There's a curved wing feature under the usual Volkswagen black panel dashboard, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a single knob on the lower centre console for the control of everything from audio volume to interior lighting and drive modes. There's a huge 15-inch centre touchscreen with of course the latest much improved VW Group operating system and ChatGTP integration built into the voice command functioning, plus wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Rear seat space in the sliding and reclining second row is generous and there's a choice of five or seven-seat models. With the third row fitted, there's a one-touch sliding feature for access to the very back of the car. Once there, you're find that space in the very rear-most pews is child-friendly but tight for adults - as usual in this class. The PHEV version can't be had with seven seats. As for boot space, well in the seven-seat model there's 850-litres with the third seating row folded.

Market and Model

Pricing starts from around £40,000 and most Tayrons will be sold in the £45,000-£50,000 bracket, which is pretty par for the course when it comes to upwardly mobile mid-sized seven-seat SUVs these days. Expect the usual trim choice of 'Life', 'Elegance' and 'R Line' specs. The eHybrids get specific 'Match' and 'R-Line Edition' spec levels. With an eHybrid, you have to have five seats. All the other engine choices come with seven seats. Even base 'Life' trim gets you 18-inch alloy wheels, an illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front and rear, 3D tail light clusters, sun blinds in the rear doors, nine airbags, a three-zone automatic air conditioner, 10-colour background lighting, a multi-functional driving experience controller, digital instruments and LED headlights including automatic main beam control. The centre infotainment screen measures 32 centimetres across the diagonal with an activatable navigation function and App-Connect Wireless for 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. The Tayron 'Life' model's standard assist systems include adaptive cruise control, an oncoming vehicle braking when turning function, a lane change system (Side Assist), a lane keeping system (Lane Assist), an automatic emergency braking system including pedestrian and cyclist monitoring (Front Assist), Park Assist Plus, a rear view camera system, dynamic road sign display and an exit warning system. As an extension of the lane change system, the latter can - within the system limits - prevent one of the doors from being opened if another road user approaches from behind. Optional highlights include adaptive chassis control, IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights with interactive lighting functions and Travel Assist for assisted longitudinal and lateral guidance. You might also want a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, a 700-watt sound system from Harman-Kardon, leather upholstery with electrically adjustable seats including a massage and ventilation function, plus an electrically activated child safety lock for the rear.

Cost of Ownership

The economy figures aren't too much different from those of a Tiguan. Which means that if you opt for the base eTSI petrol 1.5-litre petrol variant, in base 'Life' trim you're looking at 44.1mpg on the combined cycle and 146g/km of CO2. The base 2.0 TDI diesel improves that to around 55mpg and around 135g/km. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the eHybrid PHEV models are capable of 75 miles of range before you need to use fossil fuel. Volkswagen reckons that will allow many families to use this car as an EV, given German market research suggesting that 95% of journeys are less than 31 miles long and 99% are shorter than 62 miles. In both its forms, the eHybrid returns up to 11g/km of CO2. The 204PS eHybrid is rated at up to 592.6mpg on the combined cycle; for the eHybrid 272PS version, that figure is 608.0mpg. A Tayron eHybrid can be charged with up to 11 kW AC and 40 kW DC, the latter of which means the car can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in just 26 minutes. As for servicing across the range, well as usual with Volkswagen models, there's a choice of either 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' maintenance packages. You'll choose the 'Fixed' approach if you cover less than 10,000 miles a year and with this, the car will typically be looked at every twelve months. If your daily commute is more than 25 miles and your Tayron will regularly be driven on longer distance journeys, you'll be able to work with a 'Flexible' regime that can see you travelling up to 18,000 miles between garage visits - or every two years, whichever is sooner. And warranties? Well the standard package is three years and 60,000 miles.

Summary

Don't expect the Tayron to be a common sight on our roads, but there are grounds for Volkswagen to hope that it will do rather better than its quickly forgotten Tiguan Allspace predecessor. For a start, unlike that old car you don't have to have a third seating row for this model to make sense - though customers are probably going to mostly want it. If you've ever wished you could have the posh premium feel of, say, a BMW X3, an Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC but with the added convenience of seven seats, the Tayron could well be your car. It's efficient to run, easy to live with and practical to own. Other segment alternatives make similar claims, but after trying them following a Tayron test drive, you might end up feeling you'd be prepared to pay just a touch more for Volkswagen ownership. And we'd understand it if you did.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heat insulating glass in side and rear windows

Laminated safety glass winshield, heat insulating

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Laminated safety glass from B-pillar backwards, 90% tinted

Brakes

Front disc brakes

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Hill start assist

Rear disc brakes

Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring

Carpets/Rugs

Carpet mats, front and rear

Chassis/Suspension

Front wheel drive

Communication

Voice activation spoken voice commands for telephone and navigation system

E-Sim card for online connectivity

Wireless App-Connect

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Lane change system, Side assist, Rear traffic alert and Exit warning system

Adaptive cruise control (ACC)

Multifunction front facing camera

Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support

Dynamic road sign display

Driver attention monitoring system

Driver alert system

Driver Convenience

Start/stop system with regenerative braking

Driver Information

Digital Cockpit Pro - 10.25" high resolution dash display screen with customisable menus and information

Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened

Driving Mirrors

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Exterior mirrors convex on the left and aspherical on the right

Reverse activated passenger's door mirror

Embellishment Trims

Decorative material set R-Line

Interior door handle in matte chrome

Entertainment

Digital radio reception (DAB)

Diversity antenna for FM reception

Exterior Body Features

Rear side wing doors

Body colour door handles

Chrome moldings on the side windows

Volkswagen logo in front, illuminated lighting animation with wake up/goodbye scenario and illuminated door handles

Air intake with Chrome trim

Exterior Lights

Surround lighting with welcome light

Illuminated Volkswagen logo rear with animation

LED separate signature day time running light

Rear fog light on one side, reversing light on both sides

Dynamic headlight range control with dynamic cornering light

Coming/leaving home lighting function

Puddle lights

LED 3rd brake light

Automatic headlight control system

Interior Features

Black roof lining

Brushed stainless steel pedals

Front scuff plates in alumium

Chrome elements on the mirror switch and power window switches and door pulls

Door and side trim panel insert in Art velour

Centre console with illuminated storage compartment with sliding cover and two drinks holders

12V socket in centre console

Front centre armrest

Flat luggage compartment floor

Interior Lights

Interior ambient lighting with 30 colour options

Safety

3 Point seat belts in front with pretensioners

Front and rear curtain airbags

Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation

Two tone horn

First aid kit with warning triangle and safety vest

Front centre airbag

Front and rear side airbags

3 point seatbelts in outer rear with ECE label

Seats

Sports comfort seats in front

ISOFIX anchors for child seats on outer rear seats and front passenger seat. Compatible with i-Size

Power adjustable lumbar support in front

Mechanical rear seat release

3 rear headrests

Single front passenger seat

3 rear seat bench in 2nd row, backrest split folding with centre armrest and 2 seats in 3rd row of seats

Vanity Mirrors

Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels

Tyres with sporty vehicle dynamics

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 150

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 155

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 150

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

CC: 1498

Compression Ratio: 12.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 16

Engine Code: R415BM

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.9

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 74.5

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 40.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 41.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 42.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 39.2

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 44.1

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 48.7

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 50.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 33.2

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 44.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 8.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 6.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 5.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 5.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 7.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 7

General

Coin Description: eTSI

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 25E

Coin Series: R-Line [7Seat]

Service Interval Mileage: 18600

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Badge Power: 150

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

Engine Power - BHP: 150

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - MKG: 25.5

Engine Power - KW: 110

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 184

Engine Torque - NM: 250

Top Speed: 127

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9.4

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Wheel Style: LEEDS

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Rear: 255/40 R20

Tyre Size Front: 255/40 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4792

Width: 1866

Wheelbase: 2788

Height: 1668

Weight and Capacities

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 345

Max. Loading Weight: 662

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800

No. of Seats: 7

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 55

Minimum Kerbweight: 1648

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2310

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1905

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Driver Information

Head up Display

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with rear panoramic sunroof

Additional solid paint

Premium pearlescent paint

Interior Features

Net partition

Tool kit and car jack

Packs

Harman Kardon Sound Package - Tayron

Driving dynamics pack with adaptive chassis control - Tayron

HD matrix IQ.headlights pack - Tayron Elegance/R-Line/R-Line Edition

Infotainment plus package - Tayron

Leather package incl. ergoActive Plus seats in front - Tayron R-Line/R-Line Ed

Winter pack plus - Tayron

Family pack - Tayron

Driver assistance package - Tayron

Comfort package with park assist pro - Tayron

Black style package with 20" York black alloy wheels - Tayron

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Cipressino green

Metallic - Oyster silver

Metallic - Grenadilla black

Metallic - Nightshade blue

Metallic - Dolphin grey

Metallic - Ultraviolet

Paint - Solid

Solid - Urano grey

Solid - Pure white

Paint - Special

Premium pearlescent - Oryx white mother of pearl effect

Safety

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Towing

Folding trailer hitch with electric release including trailer assist

Trim - Cloth

Art velours Cloth - Soul black / Instrument panel soul black / Carpet black / Roof lining soul black

Trim - Leather

R415 Leather package - Soul black / Instrument panel soul black / Carpet black / Roof lining soul black

Wheels - Alloy

20" York Black style alloy wheels with anti theft wheel bolts

Wheels - Spare

Space saver spare wheel