Volkswagen Taigun has more of a crossover stance
VW Taigun is a 5 seater mid size SUV showcased in India at Auto Expo 2020. It is based on the carmakers’ T-Cross sub compact crossover SUV which is on sale for the European market. It will be the first car to be launched under India 2.0 Project with VW by Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited
The VW Taigun has more of a crossover stance than that of a SUV. Upfront, it features two slat chrome grille with which the headlamp unit merges. Headlights are all LEDs with a thick strip of LED daytime running lamps. Chrome has been applied on the lower side of the front profile and big air intakes are available for better high speed stability. The fog lamps are LEDs as well. Faux skid plates are available as well.
Coming to the side, the crossover SUV gets piano black wheel arch cladding and silver side body cladding. The alloys are chunky and quite big inn size expected to be 17-inchers. Also an interesting pattern can be seen on the space between the C-Pillar and rear windshield. Roof rails are quite big and accentuates its crossover look.
The rear profile of the Volkswagen SUV looks modern and stylish. You cannot take your eyes off from those C-shaped connected tail lamps and so is the shape for the skid plates at the lower end.
Taigun will feature dual tone interior environment. The steering wheel design is new which houses controls for MID and the infotainment system. Lots of storage spaces will be on offer along with illumination for glovebox, boot and the cabin. The 8-inch centrally placed music system houses touch control instead of buttons.
Inside door handles are similar to the other Volkswagen cars are in silver finish. Front seats are likely to get manual adjustment. Rear air con vents will also be provided as well. Rear seats has three headrests while there is slight hump in the floorboard for the middle occupant.
| Length | 4,200 mm |
| Width | 1,760 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm |
Volkswagen Taigun measures 4.2 m in length, has a width of 1.76 m while the wheelbase is 2,650 mm. Ground clearance is 180 mm, the other details will be will be revealed at the time of the launch of the crossover-SUV.
The upcoming SUV will be available with two petrol engines – 1.5 litre TSI and 1.0-litre TSI. There won’t be Diesel engine on offer and is also not expected anytime soon.
| 1.5 TSI G-TEC | 1.0 TSI | 1.5 TSI G-TEC | |
| Engine | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder TSI Petrol | 1.0 L 3 cylinder TSI Petrol | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder TSI Petrol-CNG |
| Power | 148 BHP | 108 BHP | 128 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 175 NM | 250 NM |
| Transmission | 7 Speed DSG | 6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT | 6 Speed Manual |
| Fuel efficiency | 16 kmpl | 18.5 kmpl | – |
| Top Speed | 183 kmph | – | – |
| 0-100 kmph | 9.9 seconds | – | – |
Volkswagen Taigun will be build’s on the carmakers MQB A0 IN platform and the same platform would also underpin its cousin Skoda Vision IN and will be used in a couple of upcoming cars from both the car manufacturers in India. This platform allows multiple vehicles from various segments to be produced in a efficient manner.
Like the other Volkswagen cars, Taigun in 2021 will be loaded up to the brim right from the base variant. Some of the top features of this SUV that will help it better compete with its rivals are:
Apart from the strong and rigid built quality of the SUV, thanks to the carmakers flexible and modular, the SUV will be available with a bunch of standard safety features with the top variant bundled with all the top notch safety equipment. Safety features that the 2021 Taigun will offer are:
Volkswagen India will locally assemble its upcoming Taigun SUV at its Chakan facility and are claiming 90% to 95% of localisation of the parts which will substantially bring down the overall cost of the SUV. The Volkswagen SUV is expected to be released at a starting price of Rs. 10.5 Lakhs with the top spec fully loaded trim with a price tag of Rs. 15.5 lakhs (Ex Showroom).
And also the with nearly 100 percent localisation, will not in result in easy availability of parts but will further result to bring down the overall maintenance and service cost as well which was earlier a issue for the VW car owners.
| Price (Ex Showroom) | |
| Volkswagen Taigun | 10.5 L – 15.5 L |
Volkswagen Taigun concept was unveiled back at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show and was expected to be unveiled by the carmakers in 2016 but was replaced by the T-Cross SUV on which the former is based and went on sale in European markets in 2018. And now the carmakers have showcased the Taigun back at February 5, 2020 in India at Auto Expo.
For the first time, Taigun was showcased in India at the biennial event, Auto Expo 2020 at Greater Noida. According to Volkswagen India, they are planning to bring the Taigun SUV in India in May 2021. The launch has already been confirmed for the same month inspite of coronavirus pandemic which results in the delay of a number of new car and bike launches.
| Launch Date | |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | May 2021 |
Dimensions
| VW Taigun | Hyundai Creta | |
| Length | 4,200 mm | 4300 mm |
| Width | 1,760 mm | 1790 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2610 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 190 mm |
Turbocharged Petrol Engine
| VW Taigun | Hyundai Creta | |
| Engine | 1.5 L TSI | 1.4 L GDI |
| Power | 148 BHP | 138 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 242 NM |
| Transmission | 7 Speed DSG | 7 Speed DCT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 16 kmpl | 16.8 kmpl |
*We haven’t put in comparison the 1.0-litre engine of Taigun and neither the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engine of Creta as they was great differences in power and torque numbers. Since the Taigun doesn’t come with Diesel engine, the 1.5 litre U2 CRDi engine specs have not also being compared.
Features
| VW Taigun | Hyundai Creta | |
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Tail Lamps | LED | LED |
| Tyre size | 17″ | 17″ |
| Infotainment system | 8-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Speakers | 6 | 8 |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Semi Digital |
| Ambient Lighting | – | Yes |
| Sunroof | Electric Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Ventilated Seats | – | Front |
| Electric Parking Brake | – | Yes |
| Rear Recline Seats | – | yes |
| Connected Car technology | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | – | Yes |
| 2nd row window sunshade | – | Yes |
| Three adjustable headrests for rear passengers | Yes | – |
Safety Features
| VW Taigun | Hyundai Creta | |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Rear |
| Park Assist | Reverse Parking Camera | Reverse Parking Camera |
| Brakes | Disc / Disc | Disc / Disc |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
In terms of safety equipment, both the SUVs are head to head with Taigun offering one more safety feature than Creta in the form of front parking sensors which the South Korean SUV doesn’t have even in its higher trims.
Price
| VW Taigun | Hyundai Creta | |
| Price (Ex Showroom) | 10.5 L – 15.5 L | 10 L – 17.2 L |
The base variant of Taigun is slightly costlier than Creta’s E variant while the top end fully loaded trim of the latter with all the bells and whistles costs Rs. 17.2 Lakhs and there is a lot of difference between the top model prices of the SUVs.
TSI Engine – The TSI petrol engines of Taigun offers better drivability than the Creta petrol engines although in terms of power figures they are close to each other.
Dimensions
| VW Taigun | Kia Seltos | |
| Length | 4,200 mm | 4315 mm |
| Width | 1,760 mm | 1800 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2610 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 190 mm |
Turbocharged Petrol Engine
| VW Taigun | Kia Seltos | |
| Engine | 1.5 L TSI | 1.4 L GDI |
| Power | 148 BHP | 138 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 242 NM |
| Transmission | 7 Speed DSG | 6 Speed MT / 7 Speed DCT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 16 kmpl | 16.1 kmpl / 16.5 kmpl |
*We haven’t put in comparison the 1.0-litre engine of Taigun and neither the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engine of Seltos as they was great differences in power and torque numbers. Also Taigun doesn’t have a Diesel engine which the Seltos has.
Features
| VW Taigun | Kia Seltos | |
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Tail Lamps | LED | LED |
| Tyre size | 17″ | 17″ |
| Infotainment system | 8-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Speakers | 6 | 8 |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Analog |
| Ambient Lighting | – | Yes |
| Sunroof | Electric Sunroof | Electric Sunroof |
| Ventilated Seats | – | Front |
| Heads up display | – | Yes |
| Rear Recline Seats | – | Yes |
| Connected Car technology | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | – | Yes |
| 2nd row window sunshade | – | Yes |
| Three adjustable headrests for rear passengers | Yes | Yes |
Safety Features
| VW Taigun | Kia Seltos | |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Park Assist | Reverse Parking Camera | 360 degree camera |
| Blind Spot Monitor | – | Yes |
| Brakes | Disc / Disc | Disc / Disc |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
Unlike Creta and Taigun which offers just reverse parking camera, Seltos provides additional safety in the form of 360 degree surround view camera and blind spot camera. Other than this, all the features on offer are same.
Price
| VW Taigun | Kia Seltos | |
| Price (Ex Showroom) | 10.5 L – 15.5 L | 9.89 L – 17.34 L |
Again like Creta, Seltos is a value for money with the base variant of the latter undercutting that of Taigun in terms of pricing. Although the difference in the top model of both the SUVs is around 2 lakhs. If you want features like heads up display, 360 degree camera, blind spot camera and a bigger infotainment system apart from ventilated front seats, then you can extend your budget and buy Seltos.
Great Drivability – The TSI petrol twins on offer for the Taigun offers best in class driving experience as well as sheer drivability and if you are the one who wants a car with excellent power delivery, this is the car for you.
Dimensions
| VW Taigun | Skoda Vision IN | |
| Length | 4,200 mm | 4,256 mm |
| Width | 1,760 mm | – |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,671 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 180 mm |
1.5 Petrol Engine
| VW Taigun | Skoda Vision IN | |
| Engine | 1.5 L TSI | 1.5 L TSI |
| Power | 148 BHP | 148 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 250 NM |
| Transmission | 7 Speed DSG | 7 Speed DSG |
| Fuel Efficiency | 16 kmpl | 15.8 kmpl |
| Top Speed | 183 kmph | 195 kmph |
| 0-100 kmph | 9.9 seconds | 8.7 seconds |
Both the SUVs comes with the same petrol engine with the same set of power and torque and 7 speed dual clutch transmission but the mileage of Vision IN will be less than the Taigun. Along with this, Petrol-CNG bi-fuel engine options with 128 BHP and 250 NM will be on offer for both the SUVs.
Top Speed of Skoda Vision IN is more and it also sprints from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.7 seconds which is much better than Taigun which does the same by taking more time at 9.9 seconds.
1.0 Petrol Engine
| VW Taigun | Skoda Vision IN | |
| Engine | 1.0 L TSI | 1.0 L TSI |
| Power | 108 BHP | 108 BHP |
| Torque | 175 NM | 175 NM |
| Transmission | 6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT | 6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 18.5 kmpl | 18.3 kmpl |
Another engine which both the SUVs shares apart from 1.5 TSI petrol and Petrol-CNG is 1.0 litre 3 cylinder powertrain which makes 108 BHP / 175 NM. Transmission options are exact similar as well albeit a slight difference can be seen in the fuel economy numbers.
Features
| VW Taigun | Skoda Vision IN | |
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Tail Lamps | LED | LED |
| Tyre size | 17″ | 17″ |
| Infotainment system | 8-inch | 12.3-inch |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Digital |
| Air conditioner | Automatic | Automatic |
| Ambient Lighting | – | Yes |
| Sunroof | Electric Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Connected Car technology | Yes | Yes |
The Skoda Vision IN is much more feature rich SUV than the Tiguan with the availability of huge panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, best in class and largest infotainment system. Other features on offer are shared by both the SUVs.
Safety Features
| VW Taigun | Skoda Vision iN | |
| Airbags | 6 | 7 |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Park Assist | Reverse Parking Camera | 360 degree camera |
| Brakes | Disc / Disc | Disc / Disc |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
Price
| VW Taigun | Skoda Vision IN | |
| Price (Ex Showroom) | 10.5 L – 15.5 L | 11.2 L – 16.5 L |
Price of Skoda Vision IN, when launched in India will kept on a higher side in order to equalise with the extra features on offer, which means that the Taigun is slightly more affordable than the upcoming Skoda Vision IN (likely to be called Kliq)
Price – The difference between the pricing of the SUV is one such reason for considering the Volkswagen T-Roc. In the price aspect, VW Taigun can be had at Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 lower than the Vision IN.
Features – Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited will keep the Vision IN at a bit premium price and it will be matched by more premium features on offer. Over the Volkswagen’s SUV, the carmakers will load it with 360 degree camera, bigger sunroof, more airbags and ambient lighting, large infotainment system.
Dimensions
| VW Taigun | VW T-Roc | |
| Length | 4,200 mm | 4,342 mm |
| Width | 1,760 mm | 1,819 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,590 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 160 mm |
Petrol Engine
| VW Taigun | VW Taigun | VW T-Roc | |
| Engine | 1.5 L TSI | 1.0 L TSI | 1.5 L TSI |
| Power | 148 BHP | 108 BHP | 148 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 175 NM | 250 NM |
| Transmission | 7 Speed DSG | 6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT | 7 Speed DSG |
| Fuel Efficiency | 16 kmpl | 18.5 kmpl | – |
Features
| VW Taigun | VW T-Roc | |
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Tail Lamps | LED | LED |
| Tyre size | 17″ | 17-inch |
| Air Conditioner | Automatic | 2-zone automatic |
| Infotainment system | 8-inch | 8-inch |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Digital |
| Sunroof | Electric Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Connected Car technology | Yes | Yes |
| Front seat adjustment | Manually | Manually (with lumbar support adjustment) |
| Heated Seats | – | Front |
Safety Features
| VW Taigun | VW T-Roc | |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Park Assist | Reverse Parking Camera | Reverse Parking Camera |
| Brakes | Disc / Disc | Disc / Disc |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
| Electric parking brake | – | Yes |
Again the safety features on offer are quite similar except the electronic parking brake which comes available by the carmakers in the T-Roc SUV.
Also both of them shares the same platform – MQB A0 IN and in the Euro NCAP, T-Roc scored perfect 5 star rating as well.
Price
| VW Taigun | VW T-Roc | |
| Price (Ex Showroom) | 10.5 L – 15.5 L | 19.99 L |
Since T-Roc is brought to India via a CBU track, thats why carries such a high price sticker while the locally assembled Taigun will cost between Rs. 10.5 Lakhs to Rs. 15.5 Lakhs (Ex Showroom).