2025 Volkswagen Tayron review
After a period of comparative stasis, Volkswagen has come alive in Australia in 2025, launching a volley of updated iterations and brand-new models. The latest addition to its lineup is the Volkswagen Tayron, a large SUV that slots between the mid-sized VW Tiguan and the flagship VW Touareg. In a sense the Tayron replaces the Tiguan Allspace (a Tiguan with an extended wheelbase), although it has been designed as a purpose-built seven-seat large SUV. The Tayron is far cheaper than the larger Touareg and – somewhat uncharacteristically for VW – many other competitors, too. But what exactly does it offer?
How much does the Volkswagen Tayron cost?
The four-model VW Tayron lineup comprises a wide variety of engine choices and trim levels, kicking off with the 1.4-litre turbo 110TSI Life for $48,290. The two mid-spec models, 150TSI Life and 150TSI Elegance, each have a 2.0-litre turbo engine and retail for $53,990 and $59,990 respectively, with the 150TSI Life the lone five-seater option (the rest have seven seats). Topping the range is the 195TSI R-Line, which runs a higher-output 2.0-litre engine and makes a huge price jump to $73,490.
This price band puts the Tayron in a surprisingly affordable position next to other large SUVs, with the Toyota Kluger range starting at $62,410, the Hyundai Santa Fe kicking off at $57,000, and the Kia Sorento starting at $50,880. It’s really only the Chinese brands (such as the MG QS for $46,990) that undercut the Tayron on price.
Volkswagen confirmed it will introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model for the Tayron (and Tiguan) in the first half of 2026, but did not disclose prices. There will be no diesel engine option.
You may also like: Read our recent comparison of three large family 7-seat SUVs
What is the Volkswagen Tayron like inside?
There’s no question the Tayron dwarfs the Tiguan, despite the latter growing even larger with the recent introduction of its third-generation model. The Tayron’s exterior silhouette and footprint are enormous, its wing mirrors are like elephant’s ears, and a high waistline means the windowsills sit higher than the occupants’ shoulders. For context, the Tayron is 4792mm long, 1853mm wide, 1668mm tall and i2788mm wheelbase is 110mm longer than a Tiguan’s. Inside VW’s latest central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, only adding to the Tayron’s sense of size and space.
Interior styling is predictably Volkswagen – predominantly black with the odd bit of silver trim, some white stitching and piping on the seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The higher up the range you go the fancier the accoutrements, with leather upholstery and a backlit ‘Tyron’ dash fascia making their debut in the 150TSI Elegance. The 195TSI R-Line is treated to suede trim, a sportier steering wheel and larger touchscreen. The driver’s information screen is a good size, with just about everything a motorist could want arranged neatly within it.
The front seats vary depending on model grade, with the two Life models getting cloth upholstery and only basic adjustment functions, while the upper-spec Tayrons have extendable panels beneath the thighs, as well as a number of luxury appointments (although that doesn’t necessarily make them superior – more on that below). On Elegance grade and up, the front seats are heated and ventilated. All models get two USB-C ports, two wireless phone chargers, and two drink holders.
Switching to the second row reveals nicely shaped rear seats with loads of space for feet, legs and heads, plus room to comfortably fit three kids abreast. Back seat passengers are treated to a centre armrest with two cup holders and an iPad holder, two USB-C ports, and on Elegance trim or higher, heated outboard seats. The third row is a kid-only affair, although it doesn’t feel like the seats have been crammed into the space and access in and out is ample when the second-row seat back is tipped forward.
— Kris Ashton
Cargo volume is where the Tayron really sets itself apart. Even with the third row upright there is a very usable 345 litres on offer, and that jumps to 850 litres with the third row flat (885 litres in the five-seater 150TSI Life) and a cavernous 1905/2090 litres with the second and third rows folded. A good deal of that space is length, with the wheel arch intrusions hampering width somewhat.
One could argue the materials used in the two Life models are a bit downmarket for a vehicle that tops $50,000 by the time it hits the road (the seat fabric is quite coarse and there are some scratchy plastics here and there), but sound ergonomics and cabin design push such concerns into the background. It’s a different story in the Elegance and R-Line, with sound-deadening glass, ambient lighting options and leather/suede upholstery better reflecting their respective asking prices.
What equipment does the Volkswagen Tayron come with?
The features list on the base model 110TSI Life doesn’t disappoint, with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, LED headlights, a hands-free electric tailgate, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting with a selection of 10 colours, a leather steering wheel, 10.25-inch driver info screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, satellite navigation, dual wireless phone chargers, and rear window blinds. A space saver spare wheel is standard across the range.
The five-seater 150TSI Life is mainly treated to mechanical upgrades, with a 2.0-litre engine, all-wheel drive and adaptive chassis control justifying the $5700 premium over the 110TSI Life.
Stepping up to the 150TSI Elegance results in 19-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed upholstery, front seats with 12-way electric adjustment and three memory settings, front seat heating/ventilation and massage function, a heated steering wheel, two heated seats in the second row, a luggage net, chrome roof rails and trim, privacy glass, premium LED headlights/taillights, and 30 colours to choose from for the interior lighting.
Fork out for the full-fruit 195TSI R-Line and you’ll get a higher-output 2.0-litre engine, 20-inch alloy wheels, R-Line styling inside and out, progressive steering, extra-fancy LED headlights/taillights, a premium 700-watt Harman Kardon sound system, and a 15-inch central touchscreen.
The Volkswagen Group likes an optional extras package and the Tayron is no exception. On the 150TSI Elegance you can tick the Sound & Vision Package ($4200), which bundles the premium headlights/taillights, Harman Kardon sound system, and 15-inch touchscreen that are standard on the R-Line, plus a head-up display.
If the $73,490 asking price for the 195TSI R-Line isn’t rich enough, you can option the $1500 Black Style Package that adds 20-inch ‘York’ alloy wheels and black styling elements to the interior, mirror housings, bumpers, and roof.
Any colour other than white will set you back $800 (Ultraviolet Metallic, a colour exclusive to the R-Line, costs $1100). The 150TSI Elegance and R-Line can be optioned with a panoramic sunroof for $2100.
How safe is the Volkswagen Tayron?
At the time of writing, the Volkswagen Tayron had been ANCAP crash tested but results were still pending. The Tayron did achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating and its list of safety features includes nine airbags, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alert, exit warning, lane keeping assistance, speed sign recognition, and a driver attention and drowsiness monitor. VW says it is confident of a five-star rating.
What powers the Volkswagen Tayron?
As alluded to above, three different petrol engines power the Volkswagen Tayron depending on model grade, and a plug-in hybrid model will be added to the range in the first half of 2026.
The base model 110TSI Life has VW’s 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which puts out 110kW and 250Nm. A seven-speed DSG gearbox directs drive to the front wheels.
The 150TSI Life and Elegance step up to a 2.0-litre engine (150kW/320Nm), with a seven-speed DSG and all-wheel drive. The 195TSI R-Line also has a 2.0-litre turbo four retuned to produce 195kW and 400Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds.
The 4Motion AWD Tayrons can tow up to 2500kg and have six drive modes: comfort, eco, sport, off-road, snow and individual. The FWD 110TSI is limited to 1800kg towing.
What is the Volkswagen Tayron like to drive?
While it can sometimes feel as if the Volkswagen experience never changes, a number of substantial differences have filtered through in recent years. The gear shifter on the Tayron, for example, has made its way to a stalk on the right-hand side of the steering column, freeing up space for the twin phone chargers and drink holders.
The location of other instruments and controls has been well thought through. There’s a large volume knob on centre console, while in a gutter below the central touchscreen is another set of volume controls and shortcuts to the driver and passenger climate functions. Basic air con functions are operated by easy-to-hit physical buttons of a decent size, while other AC controls are given over to the touchscreen. On the steering wheel one finds yet more buttons for volume, cruise control, driver’s information layout and voice control activation.
Nearly everything on the Tayron can be personalised in one way or another if you’re inclined to spend a few minutes squirrelling through menus. If you find the adaptive headlights distracting, for example, you can turn that function off and, wonder of wonders, if you turn off the speed alert ding-dongs they stay off – even if you switch off the engine.
The higher up the range you go, the more customisable features you’ll find. VW was conscious that many buyers may be upgrading from a five or ten-year-old Tiguan and the infotainment system employs large graphics and imagery to help explain what the various features are and how to alter them.
Model shown: 2025 Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Life
With such a diverse range of engines and drivetrains across the lineup, there’s no single answer to how the Volkswagen Tayron drives.
The familiar 1.4-litre front-wheel drive unit in the 110TSI Life generates 110kW and 250Nm, which on paper looks pretty meagre for a large SUV. But VW’s sharp-witted seven-speed DSG transmission keeps engine revs where they need to be, minimising lag and drawing out the muscularity inherent in a turbo engine. The 2WD Tayron does get a tad unsettled on rough surfaces (as cars with Euro-tuned suspension tend to do), but the sense of connectedness to the road, agility and stability while cornering, and well-damped ride are more than ample compensation. This is a large SUV that drives like a composed mid-sizer.
The added torque provided by the 150TSI’s 2.0-litre engine is immediately evident when you put your foot down or tackle a steep hill and it would undoubtedly perform better with a family or large load aboard than the 1.4. Volkswagen’s 4Motion AWD system and adaptive chassis control also lead to more relaxed power delivery and surefootedness on tight bends, although the jittery ride over lumps and bumps remains.
The additional power and torque from the R-Line’s 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre engine does deliver improved straight-line performance, although when accelerating out of corners on our road test in Kangaroo Valley, the benefits didn’t seem to warrant the $14,000 premium over the 150kW/320Nm on offer in the 150TSI Elegance.
Interestingly, we found the front seats in the Elegance and R-Line a bit too firm for really long journeys and they also have the typical Euro luxury characteristic of endless adjustment options instead of being sculpted to a comfortable shape in the first place. Coarse fabric aside, the run-of-the-mill manually adjustable seats in the 110TSI Life and 150TSI Life were preferable for an extended drive
Open Road’s take on the Volkswagen Tayron
For driving dynamics, the Volkswagen Tayron has few peers. It drives like a mid-sized SUV while offering many of the benefits of a genuine large seven-seater. Interior presentation on the Life models is perhaps a bit budget and the R-Line struggles to justify its premium price, but on the whole Volkswagen has got the model mix just right. The Tayron offers real choice and value and is sure to appeal to those who want German engineering in a generously proportioned car without a luxury sticker price.
Pros
- Excellent performance and driving dynamics
- Loads of space but never feels cumbersome
- Good list of customisable standard features
Cons
- Cheapish interior on Life models
- 195TSI R-Line seems overpriced
- Head-up display an optional extra
