Volkswagen Taigun

The Enthusiast’s Compact SUV

When the Polo first launched in India, it set the benchmark for what a solid, well-built car should be. The heft of the doors, the quality of paint, the fit and finish of the interior and exterior parts, and the overall feel of driving a German car in that segment was unmatched. It helped that it was an absolute go-kart in terms of handling, and after the initial, sluggish 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and slightly stronger 1.2 diesel, Volkswagen began offering the Polo with stronger engine options. The 1.5 diesel, the strong 1.6 petrol, the newest 1.0 turbo petrol, and ah, the 1.2 TSI petrol. The Polo was arguably one of only two budget hatchbacks that catered to enthusiasts along with Abarth Punto, and with the latter being discontinued and the Polo too bidding farewell in 2022, is that the end for fun-to-drive budget hatchbacks? 

While the new Polo, which is based on Volkswagen’s MQB A0 platform, might not make it to Indian shores due to its longer wheelbase and the higher cost of ownership that comes with it, the Volkswagen Taigun may be the only spiritual successor to the Polo we have. Is it any good? Let’s find out in our Volkswagen Taigun review. 

Volkswagen Taigun Pros and Cons 

Volkswagen Taigun Exterior Design 

The Polo won hearts with its classy, simple, timeless European styling, and the Taigun is no different. As its contemporaries get bulkier, the Taigun remains sleek and sharp, which make for a handsome compact SUV that looks pretty from all angles. The front fascia looks like an evolution of the design that was used on the Polo and Vento, with rectangular headlamps with integrated LED DRLs and an understated front grille. The fog lamps have also been designed to integrate well into the bumper and don’t look like an afterthought. There is a fair amount of chrome, since that’s what appeals to the Indian audience, and I would personally get rid of it or wrap it for a meaner look. The rear tail light cluster gets an LED light bar and the tail lamps themselves are blacked out to lend the Taigun a sporty look. The side profile is arguably the Taigun’s best angle, with the shoulder lines, wheel arches, and beautiful 17 inch rims (in the GT automatic variant) looking proportional and the Taigun doesn’t look under-tyred. In simple words, the Taigun is a spacious Polo that went to the gym to put on some muscle. 

Volkswagen Taigun Interiors 

Volkswagen is known for its simple, functional, and high-quality interiors that stand the test of time. With the Taigun, you will feel like its rivals offer more features and a plusher interior, but what you lose in some features is more than made up by the quality, fit and finish, and general expensive feel of the materials used. This is not to say that there is no hard plastic used here. There is plenty of it; but they feel that tad bit better. The quality of fabric used on the seats is excellent and is unlikely to show its age even after a few years, as long as you get it cleaned now and then. The flat bottom steering wheel gives the driver’s seat a sporty feel, and given the way the Taigun drives, this is welcome. The eight inch driver instrument cluster and the 10 inch touchscreen infotainment displays are both sharp, and the latter has been incorporated into the dash extremely well. It doesn’t stand out and sits flush. 

One thing that is an eyesore are the dummy buttons on the dashboard even in the top trims. They just look out of place and result in the interior feeling cheap, underequipped and unfinished. Volkswagen should have found a way to get rid of these. 

Volkswagen Taigun Comfort 

The one thing you are certain of when buying a Volkswagen is the ride quality and comfort. The suspension may be tuned for more enthusiastic drives, but doesn’t equate to an uncomfortable ride for its occupants regardless of the road conditions. The Taigun soaks up the undulations well and even tackles rough patches with aplomb, making it the perfect car for road trips. The front seats are contoured to perfection and snuggle you as you take corners, while the rear offers good underthigh support and knee room. All three passengers get adjustable headrests as well. One pain point is the middle seat in the rear, with the hump in the floor making it quite an uncomfortable spot to be in on long journeys. The AC does a good job of keeping occupants cool and there is ample storage space throughout the cabin for bottles, cups, your phone and other knick-knacks. 

The 385-litre boot is also enough to pack all your luggage and set off on a road trip.

Performance and Handling

The Volkswagen Taigun is available with either a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 114 bhp and 178 Nm, or a 1.5-litre turbo petrol producing 148 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. The 1.0-litre is available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter, while the 1.5-litre is available with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG. Which one you buy, depends totally on your budget and the way you drive. If you’re looking for an urban commuter that can do occasional highway trips, then you’ll be happy with the 1.0-litre. However, the 1.5-litre is what does justice to the Taigun’s stiff chassis and handling characteristics.

The engine is smooth, loves to rev, and is a hoot to push hard. The extra torque on offer is also a boon when overtaking on highways, and it feels less strained than the 1.0-litre. Volkswagen knows a thing or two about making lightning quick dual-clutch gearboxes, and the 7-speed DSG in the Taigun is no different. The 1.5-litre also gets active cylinder deactivation technology, allowing the engine to run on two cylinders and reduce fuel consumption over longer drives. One thing to note is that the clutch, like in most Volkswagens, is harder than its rivals. 

Whenever you do end up in the twisties with the Taigun, and it's highly recommended you do, the steering and handling come to life to put a huge grin on your face. The car is the best handling compact SUV in the segment and has oodles of grip on offer. Just flick the car into tip-tronic mode, use the paddle shifters, and you’ll be reminded just why you bought the Taigun over its rivals. It doesn’t feel its size at all and is an absolute joy to drive. 

Key Specifications 

Volkswagen Taigun Safety Features

Volkswagen sells some of the safest cars in India, and the Taigun is no different with a 5-star Global NCAP rating. You also get six airbags, ABS, EBD, TC, brake assist, ESP, and Hill hold assist. The MQB A0 platform is also known to be stronger and more rigid, and this is the safest car among its rivals along with the Kushaq, the Taigun’s sibling. 

Volkswagen Taigun Technology and Infotainment

The Taigun may not feel as feature-rich as its rivals such as a 360 degree camera, but it has all the tech you could ask for and need on a day-to-day basis. The 10 inch infotainment system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and there is a wireless charging pad in the front for your smartphone. The six speaker system produces balanced sound with adequate bass and the steering mounted controls make it easier to control the music or cruise control system. The two cylinder mode in the Taigun, as mentioned above, is designed to save you on fuel bills while petrol prices skyrocket. 

Is the Volkswagen Taigun for you?

The Volkswagen Taigun may not be as feature-rich as its rivals, may cost a slight premium, and it may not even be the most powerful car in the segment. But it more than makes up for it in the way it drives, the bullet-proof safety and build quality on offer, and the reliability of a well put together German car. Whether it’s the 1.0-litre or the 1.5-litre, both engines are fun to drive and the Taigun will complete road trip after road trip, commute after commute, without fuss, and plant a grin as wide as the rear tail light cluster on your face.