Coupé-like silhouette, tight proportions. Stylish, desirable, unique – with the new Volkswagen SUV coupé Taigo, a design-oriented body shape enters the booming volume segment of compact SUVs. With its coupé-like rear end, the Taigo takes the successful body style of much higher-priced crossover utility vehicles – CUVs for short – and translates this to the world of the Polo and T-Cross.
Modular transverse matrix. The technical basis of the new Taigo is provided by Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB) – in this case the MQB A0, which has been perfected to suit particularly compact Volkswagen models. The MQB offers a range of advantages: tight proportions are combined with a high level of body rigidity, excellent crash properties and a low body weight. Thanks to the MQB, the new Taigo has access to technologies and quality standards that are otherwise only familiar from higher vehicle classes. These include the latest generation of assistance and Infotainment systems as well as a fully digital cockpit as standard. In this way, the new Taigo sets the benchmark in terms of driving comfort and safety.
Long wheelbase. Flatter and longer than the T-Cross but with the same ground clearance, higher and roomier than the Polo for an excellent elevated view and generous space: the new Taigo is positioned as a trendy crossover between the compact city SUV T-Cross and the hatchback bestseller Polo. In addition to the coupé-like body style, the striking design of the front and rear bumpers also underscores the highly distinctive nature of the new Taigo. The long wheelbase of 2,566 mm gives all passengers a comfortable, slightly elevated seating position. As compared to the Polo and T-Cross, the distance between the axles has been increased by two and three millimetres respectively. Measuring 4,266 mm in length, 1,494 mm in height and 1,757 mm in width, the Taigo has short overhangs that give it a powerful, sporty appearance. The front overhang measures 844 mm, the rear overhang 856 mm, while the track width is 1,531 mm at the front and 1,516 mm at the rear. There is comfortable knee and leg room between the front seats and the rear seat – even for tall passengers. The space between the seat cushions is 792 mm, and headroom is generous on all seats. On the driver’s seat, the distance between the seat surface and the headliner is 1,019 mm; at the rear it is 964 mm.
Silhouette. The new Taigo is a compact car that exudes self-confidence, featuring a modern, sporty design with a distinctive, charismatic look, no matter what angle you marvel at it. At the side, the Volkswagen has a long roof line that slopes elegantly towards the rear, merging into a roof spoiler at the level of the rear window. The window line surrounded in black visually lowers the centre of gravity of the Taigo, which has a height of 1,495 mm. Among the iconic details is the long band of side windows, including the third side window integrated in the C-pillar and the window line rising sharply towards the rear. It opens up into the precisely cut C-pillar and gives the new crossover model a dynamic feel – as if it was already pushing forward when stationary.
Other important design features follow below this window line, such as the so-called tornado line, an arrow-shaped double line featured on both the Taigo and Polo. The surface of this three-dimensional tornado line projects out slightly in the style of a shoulder section, before finishing with a sharp undercut at the bottom. The upper of these two double lines begins at the C-pillar and extends forward to the front wings. The second, lower line forms the undercut. It begins in the three-dimensional LED tail light cluster and likewise runs to the front wings, where it rises slightly to meet the upper line.
Front end. The standard LED headlights extend far into the black radiator grille. Together they define the Taigo’s “face”, extending across the entire width of the vehicle. The optional IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights (standard in Style and R-Line) are particularly striking. Here the LED modules combine with the LED daytime running lights to form a unique signature. An LED strip frames the headlights at the top and bottom. The upper and longer of these two LED strips visually ends at the upper edge of the radiator grille; the lower one merges apparently seamlessly with the LED light strip which is integrated in the centre radiator strut on the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlight. The resulting light strip at the front is interrupted only by the Volkswagen logo – a characteristic light design feature of the new Volkswagen models from the ID.4 to the Golf. With its muscular contours, the bonnet extends far down into the radiator grille. No less striking is the newly designed bumper which, like the radiator grille, emphasises the width of the compact crossover. From Taigo Life upwards, the centre cross piece in the bumper has a chrome look and spans almost the entire width of the vehicle. A narrow chrome strip frames the radiator grille at the top, while another forms the end of the bumper opening at the bottom.
Rear end. The new Taigo comes with narrow two-part LED tail light clusters as standard. These consist of one main element on both the right and left in the body, and a second segment that extends over the tailgate. The rear tail light unit surrounded in black gives a more striking appearance to the rear section and an enhanced sense of quality and dynamic flair to the Taigo as a whole. One continuous light strip emphasises the width of the vehicle and intensifies its sporty appeal.