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.