Volkswagen Tayron eTSI

FIRST DRIVE New SUV takes all that's good about its Tiguan sister car, and adds more space and seats. Is it worth the extra cash?

- Alex Ingram

IN recent years, it seems that Volkswagen has been trying to make MPVs cool again. The likes of the new Multivan, with its car-like road manners combined with van-like practicality, was a great step forward, and then the all-electric ID. Buzz showed off a modern electric interpretation of the brand's original iconic campers.

However, many people prefer the look of an SUV. There are also those who need seven seats only on rare occasions, and would rather not look like they’re driving a van the rest of the time.

That role was previously filled by the VW Tiguan Allspace, but following some tinkering with its MQB platform, the addition of a little more interior space and a complete exterior glow-up, it has emerged, based on the MQB Evo platform, with an all-new name. This is the Tayron: a seven-seater (unless you go for the PHEV, which is a five-seater) designed to take on the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and VW Group rival, the Skoda Kodiaq.

Under the skin, the Tayron shares much of its mechanical make-up with the Kodiaq, which is a very strong starting point, because it’s the best seven-seat family SUV on the market. The Tayron wraps that up in its more Germanic package, which now includes illuminated logos, so there’s no mistaking what other road users are following.

There is plenty of risk of mistaking it for the Tiguan, however; despite the name change, the Tayron still remains closely related to the latest version of VW’s five-seat SUV. From the front, the pair are virtually indistinguishable; it’s only towards the back where the Tayron’s longer wheelbase and greater rear overhang become obvious.