Curvaceous Cross

Volkswagen's Taigo takes the Polo, pumps it up and adds a swooping roofline to its sleek aesthetics in the hopes of dabbling further in the premium compact crossover segment

- Alex Shahini

Price: R486 000 Engine: 1,0-litre, 3-cyl, turbo-petrol Transmission: 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic Power: 85 kW@ 5 000 r/min Torque: 200 N.m @ 2 000 r/min 0–100 km/h: 10,0 seconds* Top speed: 200 km/h* Fuel consumption: 5,4 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 123 g/km* Rivals: Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross, Haval Jolion

premium design, bigger boot space, higher ground clearance and heated seating may sit a little too close to the cheaper and capable T-Cross for comfort+

The much-vaunted Volkswagen Polo now has another crossover spinoff in town. With its sleek coupé-like profile, the Taigo looks to fill a niche market for aspirational buyers taken with the capable (and mechanically related) T-Cross but after a bit more visual pizzazz. We spent the day touring Gauteng roads to find out if its extravagant launch party was a worthy welcome.

The Polo and Polo Vivo remain the mainstay for Volkswagen sales in our local market. The pair account for almost 50% of nationwide sales in the compact B segment, a category which itself makes up just over a quarter of all passenger vehicle sales nationally.

In light of such findings, it may seem strange the decision-makers in Wolfsburg continually sign off on a never-ending list of SUVS while their hatchback portfolio dwindles as the months go on. Foresight is the driving force behind this logic. With the growth of the SUV market overtaking the once-prosperous hatchback, Volkswagen SA again wants to capitalise on this trend and dominate the SUV space with multiple offerings in its portfolio.