VW Tayron debuts to reinforce the T-SUV range
It is indeed true that the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace nameplate has been discontinued. Introduced to the local market in 2018, the Tiguan Allspace was designed to cater to those who required more space than the standard Tiguan could offer.
Frankly, the Tiguan Allspace had all the positive traits of the 5-seater Tiguan but added a bigger boot and two extra seats, thus making it a commendable family SUV that slots between the regular Tiguan and Touareg SUVs.
While the Allspace moniker may be gone, Volkswagen has unveiled its replacement, which boasts the Tayron nameplate. Though the name may sound new, that's not entirely the case. You see, the Tayron has been around in China since 2018 and it’s set to become a global nameplate.
Offered either as a 5-seater or 7-seater, the new Tayron is everything that the third-generation Tiguan is all about, it’s longer at 4,770mm, making it 231mm longer than the model it’s based on. As for practicality, the Tayron is generous, thanks to 345 litres with all seven seats raised and 850 litres of boot space with the last row folded. The 5-seater has a maximum capacity of 2,090 litres with all rows folded.
The choice between the two depends on whether you prioritise passenger capacity or boot space. The 5-seater, on one hand, is ideal if you need more boot space regularly, while the 7-seater is better for larger families or those who sometimes need to transport more passengers.
Like the regular Tiguan, the Tayron will also be offered in Base, Life, and R-Line as the flagship, all with impressive standard features and technologies that underpin the current Tiguan.
While the local range is yet to be confirmed, the Tayron will likely be powered by the same 1.4-litre TSI with 110kW and 250Nm, or a 2.0-litre TDI with 110kW and 340Nm as well as a 2.0-litre TSI which will replace the previous model’s 162kW. The range will feature a 7-speed DSG transmission plus a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system or front-wheel-drive configuration, depending on the model.
Markets outside of SA will receive a range of mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations.
The new Tayron is expected to arrive in South Africa sometime in 2025. Like its sibling, it appears to feature a softer aesthetic which isn’t a bad thing at all as this will ensure it enjoys a decent shelflife in its respective segment.