After being on sale since 2021, the Volkswagen Taigun has received its first facelift in India, with prices ranging from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 19.30 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes with a more modern exterior inspired by bigger Volkswagen offerings and some additional features in an attempt to catch up with popular mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, and Kia Seltos. So how do the Taigun facelift’s specifications and prices compare to the rivals? Let us find out.
Volkswagen Taigun facelift vs rivals: Dimensions
Taigun facelift has a larger wheelbase than the segment best-seller Creta
*Unlike other models, Tata has measured the Sierra’s boot space till the SUV’s roof
In the mid-size SUV segment, the Seltos is the longest, while the Sierra is the widest and tallest offering, with the longest wheelbase. The Taigun sits at the bottom end of the dimension spectrum with the shortest length, width and height figures. Interestingly, its 2,651mm wheelbase is larger than the segment bestseller Creta by 41mm and the Astor by 66mm.
It has the lowest claimed ground clearance amongst its rivals. Like the Kushaq, it offers a boot space of 385 litres, which is 26 litres more than the Astor and 12 litres more than the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, but is inferior to other rivals. It gets up to 17-inch rims, similar to the Maruti-Toyota offerings, Kushaq, Elevate and Aircross.
Volkswagen Taigun facelift vs rivals: Powertrain options
The Taigun facelift continues with the same turbo-petrol engines as before
*P = Naturally-aspirated petrol; T = Turbo-petrol; H = Strong hybrid; D = Diesel; C = CNG
^DHT = Dedicated Hybrid Transmission
The Volkswagen Taigun facelift features a 115hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine options. The smaller engine produces 15hp more than the Duster’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and is more potent than all the models with a naturally aspirated engine, except for the Elevate. Interestingly, the Honda SUV gets the most potent naturally aspirated petrol engine in the segment. Interestingly, amongst all the higher-spec 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, the Taigun’s mill produces the least power and torque in the segment.
Since its inception in 2021, the Taigun has not been offered with a diesel or strong-hybrid option. Notably, the Sierra has the most potent diesel motor in the segment, while only the Maruti and Toyota offerings are the only models currently to offer strong-hybrid, CNG and AWD options in the mid-size SUV space.
Volkswagen Taigun facelift vs rivals: Prices
Starting price of both TSI engines on Taigun is more than that of the Kushaq
Comparing the entry-level turbo-petrol engines, the Duster offers the most affordable base variant, followed by the Kushaq and Taigun. Interestingly, the Taigun’s starting price is more than the Creta, Victoris, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Aircross, and Astor, all of which are offered with a naturally aspirated petrol mill.
At Rs 19 lakh, the starting price of the Taigun’s higher-spec turbo-petrol engine (1.5 TSI) is over Rs 6 lakh more expensive than the Duster and Seltos, Rs 1.81 lakh more than the Kushaq, and Rs 1.01 lakh more than the Sierra. However, the Creta’s turbo-petrol variants have a Rs 30,000 higher starting price than the Volkswagen offering. On the top-end, only the Duster and Kushaq are more affordable than the Taigun with their respective higher-spec turbo-petrol engines.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
