- New seven-seat SUV to replace Tiguan Allspace is called Tayron.
- Two models: R-Line tops out at 195kW and $97k.
- All-wheel drive, active suspension standard across the range.
The new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater is the next-generation Tiguan Allspace by any other name. And the lineup just announced for New Zealand doesn’t just put distance between itself and the standard Tiguan with a different badge; it’s destined to sit quite a bit higher on the pricing ladder.
Tayron will be launched here in two models, the Elegance at $78,990 and R-Line at $96,990. That’s right, a Tiguan (well, kind of a Tiguan) that will crack $100k with an option or two. And there are indeed some of those, read on.
So Tayron opens at $19k more than the entry-level Tiguan Life, although there is still some crossover: the top Tiguan R-Line costs $84,490.
As you might/should expect, Tayron is significantly higher-specification than the Tiguan. It eschews the 1.4-litre engine and FWD employed for two of the three Tiguan models, and is being sold exclusively with a 2.0-litre turbo engine and AWD.
Tayron Elegance gets a 150kW/320Nm version of the powerplant (not currently offered in any Tiguan), while the top R-Line makes 195kW/400Nm (same as the Tiguan R-Line AWD). Both meet EU6e emissions standards.
Tayron is 202mm longer in the wheelbase and 253mm longer overall than Tiguan. If you’re planning a bit of light off-roading with the family, there’s good news: ground clearance is 198mm, which is at least 22mm more than any Tiguan.
Driving profiles, 4Motion AWD “Active Control” for off-road and snow and Adaptive Chassis Control Pro suspension are standard on both, but the R-Line adds Progressive Steering, which can adjust the ratio to specific cornering circumstances.
The R-Line also adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a more comprehensive camera-view system, IQ. Light matrix headlamps, dynamic indicators, illuminated rear “VW” logo, sports steering wheel and ergoActive part-leather front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions, plus a larger 15-inch infotainment and head-up display.
To either model you can add a Touring Package, which includes the fancy seats, Harman Kardon audio and panoramic sliding glass roof. For the Elegance it adds $6000, but it’s only $4000 for the R-Line because it already has the ergoActive chairs.
Exclusive to the R-Line is a $2000 Black package for the exterior, including the wheels.
One of the most striking additions to the new model is a new purple colour called Ultraviolet Metallic – although the only hue in the range to attract a premium is actually
