Overview

Should you buy one?

If you want a compact car with a degree of coupe glamour, the Taigo could be for you. It’s only a limited degree, though – in most respects this is little more than a slinkier T-Cross, and it feels like that way. it does come very well-equipped as standard, and it’s reasonably practical with a large boot and space for tall passengers. It should also prove reasonably cost-efficient to buy and own.

It’s more expensive than the associated T-Cross, though, so you’ll need to ask yourself whether the additional style is worth it. We have two main problems with the Taigo. The first is the lack of any up-to-date powertrains such as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full EV – these are becoming increasingly necessary for compact SUVs to keep up with the pack.

The second is its complete lack of character. If you’re only after a vehicle to transport you from A to B, that probably won’t bother you, but the T-Cross already fills that gap in the VW lineup. By opting for the more stylish Taigo, you’re making a sacrifice for looks – and we think cars like this need that last degree of sparkle to stand out. So the Taigo isn’t up there with the best small SUVs – but it’s not too far behind. It’s not a crime to be boring, after all.

What’s new?

The Volkswagen Taigo has been around since 2021 and is intended to appeal to style-conscious buyers who still want the elevated driving position and rugged character that a compact SUV provides, but just don’t like the boxy shape and don’t need its extended practicality.

Not that long ago the coupe-SUV was the preserve of expensive premium models like the BMW X6, but more and more manufacturers are launching affordable models to give the proletariat a taste of the good life.

Rivals include the Citroen C4, Renault Arkana, Kia XCeed and Toyota C-HR, though other stylish SUVs that may be a little boxier – such as the Ford Puma and Mazda CX-30 – will no doubt sit on many of the same shopping lists. These are some of the best small SUVs you can buy, so the Taigo has a lot of work to do in order to keep up.

The Taigo is pure Volkswagen up front – and not very exciting – but round the back it’s slightly more interesting. In addition to the sloping roofline and steeply-raked rear window you get a full-width taillight element which does actually look quite cool, especially at night. R-Line models with their sportier body kits also add to this effect, while VW’s offering the Taigo in some bold exterior shades as well.

Despite the mildly avant-garde exterior looks the Taigo is as conventional as it gets under the skin. It’s closely-related to the T-Cross, of course, which means a compact range of petrol engines with manual or automatic gearboxes. You’ll find no hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric trickery here.

In fact, from behind the wheel you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between this and the T-Cross – but we suspect for many drivers that won’t be a bad thing.

If you’d like to know more about the VW Taigo, you’re in the right place – keep reading and we’ll take you through what it’s like inside and out, how practical it is, how much it’ll cost you to run and what it’s like to drive. If you’d like to learn how we came to these conclusion, you can find out how we test cars.