Volkswagen’s New Contender: The 2025 VW Tayron – Bridging the Gap Between Tiguan and Touareg

Volkswagen Introduces the New Tayron for 2025: A Spacious Crossover Between Tiguan and Touareg

Volkswagen's new addition, the VW Tayron, is set to be a sizable SUV that carves out its own space between the smaller Tiguan and the larger Touareg models. Previously, the Tiguan Allspace occupied this mid-sized slot, but it never quite established itself as a distinct model in the market, partly due to its name. The Tayron, taking over from the Tiguan Allspace, promises ample room and the first pricing details have already surfaced.

Volkswagen has now introduced the Tayron, a vehicle conceived in Wolfsburg and also manufactured there. It aims to provide not only the spaciousness of the seven-seater Tiguan Allspace but also to match the quality of the Touareg. We took a close look at this new SUV.

Photo Gallery: VW Tayron (2025) Original Images

To address the obvious query first: What prompted the rebranding from the former Tiguan Allspace? Volkswagen conducted extensive market research and discovered that the Allspace was not widely recognized and was never seen as a distinct model.

The intended benefit of leveraging the Tiguan name failed to materialize. Consequently, the decision was made to create an entirely new model with a different name, deliberately distancing it from the Tiguan and aligning it closer to the luxury segment embodied by the Touareg.

The Tayron, which was fully developed in Wolfsburg and is also manufactured there, has no connection whatsoever with the Chinese VW Tayron. Naturally, like all contemporary VW combustion engine vehicles, it's built on the MQB-evo platform.

The Tayron, while sharing some commonalities with the Skoda Kodiaq, particularly in size, is not a straightforward offshoot like the Passat is from the Superb, which are both manufactured on the same assembly line in Slovakia. Conversely, the Tayron is assembled in Wolfsburg, Germany, as opposed to the Kodiaq, which is made in Kvasiny, Czech Republic.

Exterior

The exterior design of the Tayron shares similarities with the latest models of the Tiguan and the Kodiaq. Measuring 4,770 mm long, 1,852 mm wide, and 1,660 mm tall, the Tayron ranks as Volkswagen's second-largest SUV offering in Europe.

The vehicle's front section is notably elevated, dominated by a broad engine hood and distinctive double LED headlights. The high-end "Elegance" and "R-Line" models come standard with "LED Plus headlights," which include dynamic headlight range control and cornering lights. Additionally, the "IQ.LIGHT – HD Matrix headlights" are available as an option.

Moving on to the side profile of the Tayron, what stands out is the slender gap at the top edge of the D-pillar, which extends the window line right into the rear windshield. The extended roofline and window design stretching into the D-pillar aim to impart an elegant outline to the Tayron.

According to Volkswagen, the wheel arch trims made of dark plastic can accommodate wheel and tire combinations up to 20 inches, ensuring ample suspension travel off-road. However, we would have preferred – at least for the R-Line – trims painted in the color of the car, as the black trims make the wheel arches appear even larger than they already are.

The rear end of the Tayron features a continuous LED crossbar and a design that's characteristic of the brand. The lighting systems in the top models come equipped with a welcome and goodbye animation feature.

Interior

Upon first examination, the interior of the Tayron indeed presents a superior quality of materials. The areas most visible and tactile are upholstered with soft padding and covered with refined materials. Hard plastics are relegated to the lower sections.

The design aligns with the current Volkswagen trend, similar to what is seen in models like the Tiguan and Passat. The large central screen is a prominent feature here as well, but it doesn't overwhelm as much as it does in the Passat, where it can somewhat obstruct the view. The increased interior space and elevated seating in the Tayron are beneficial features.

The cockpit area is interconnected and spacious, accommodating drivers, passengers, and luggage comfortably. Soft faux leather surfaces and authentic wood trim in the Tayron Elegance, alongside aluminum-style trim in the Tayron R-Line, create a cozy and inviting environment.

The premium models come standard with seats upholstered in "ArtVelours Eco," with deluxe leather options available as well. Additionally, the cabin boasts a range of comfort-enhancing features, including tri-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic tilting/sliding sunroof.

The space available is truly regal. It's hard to characterize the ample room provided in any other way. Rear-seat passengers in particular relish in an abundance of legroom and headspace. Equally, the front area offers generous room in every dimension, with ergonomics that hit the mark. One sits elevated above the road, looking down upon the flow of traffic.

Upon request, Volkswagen offers a foldable third row of seats, designed to be comfortable not only for children. However, for the editor at 1.87 meters tall, this was the limit of comfort.

The Tayron also boasts a substantial trunk capacity. With the rear seats up, it has a space of 760 liters, expanding to a maximum of 1920 liters when the seats are folded down. In comparison, the Skoda Kodiaq offers between 745 and 1945 liters of cargo space. The Tiguan, on the other hand, has a cargo capacity ranging from 652 to 1700 liters.

Trim Levels

The Tayron, similar to the Tiguan, is available in three different trim levels: "Life", "Elegance", and "R-Line". The standard model "Life" comes well-equipped, featuring a tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting with a choice of 10 colors, nine airbags, and an infotainment system that includes a navigation option and App-Connect Wireless that can be activated.

The premium models "Elegance" and "R-Line" come equipped with extra amenities such as genuine open-pore wood interior, noise-reducing laminated safety glass, an electric tailgate, and an advanced "Park Assist Pro" system that includes memory and remote capabilities.

The Tayron comes with a choice of seven different powertrains, including two plug-in hybrid options (eHybrid), a mild hybrid system (eTSI), a pair of turbocharged gasoline engines (TSI), and two turbocharged diesel engines (TDI). The output varies from 110 kW (150 hp) to 200 kW (272 hp), reminiscent of the Tiguan. Each model of the Tayron is equipped with an automatic dual-clutch transmission (DSG).

Improvements have been made to the plug-in hybrid systems in the Tayron, allowing it to operate as an electric vehicle temporarily. These systems also provide a substantial overall driving range of approximately 850 kilometers for long-distance journeys. The Tayron eHybrid is available in two power variants: one with 150 kW (204 horsepower) and another with 200 kW (272 horsepower). Thanks to the sizable 19.7 kWh battery, Volkswagen anticipates an electric range of more than 100 kilometers for the eHybrid versions.

Support Systems

The Tayron is also equipped with an array of support systems designed to enhance driving comfort and safety. These include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a lane change assistant, a lane keeping assistant, an emergency braking system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, a parking assistant, and a rearview camera. The newly introduced exit warning system prevents doors from being opened if a vehicle is approaching from behind.

Prices

As of the initial sales launch in Germany on October 10, 2024, there will be four powertrain options to choose from: The starting model is the 110 kW eTSI in the "Life" trim, starting at 45,475 euros. A comparable Tiguan is priced at 42,880 euros. Additionally, two eHybrid models and the top-tier 142 kW TDI can be ordered.

Rivals of the VW Tayron:

Conclusion

The mid-sized SUV continues to be a niche offering for Volkswagen, even with its rebranding. However, it's impressive how much effort the team from Wolfsburg has put into giving the Tayron a unique identity, especially considering that the previous model was essentially just an extension in wheelbase. The Tayron certainly merits recognition beyond being overshadowed by the Tiguan and deserves to carve out its own niche in the lineup, as it has the necessary attributes to do so.

Photo Gallery: VW Tayron (2025)

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