Volkswagen Taigo 2021: T-Cross sized SUV with coupe styling off the cards for Australia

John Law

Contributor

Volkswagen has added another card to its SUV hand in Europe with the sleek new Taigo, an almost-coupe small crossover.

The 2021 Volkswagen Taigo – or Nivus as it’s known in Brazil and South Africa – will go on sale in Europe later this year. At the moment, there are no plans to release the new small SUV in Australia.

In Europe The Taigo is an alternative to the T-Cross light SUV. The new SUV shares that car’s MQB A0 platform along with the Volkswagen Polo.

Volkswagen Taigo 2021-5 — The Taigo looks pretty funky with its sloping roof line.

Volkswagen’s new sleek light SUV isn’t to be confused with the Indian-market Taigun that uses a lower cost version of this car’s MQB A0 underpinnings. Instead, Volkswagen pitches the Taigo on price parity with the T-Cross.

While much of the running gear is the same, the Taigo differentiates itself with a sloping roofline, different alloy wheels, illuminated grille and available Matrix LED headlights.

The European market Taigo is slightly shorter than the Brazilian Nivus. Volkswagen claims a length of under 4,2600mm, making the new car notably longer than a T-Cross (4,108mm).

Inside the Volkswagen Taigo

Volkswagen Taigo 2021-2 — Inside is very familiar and all models will feature a digital driver’s display.

Volkswagen has yet to confirm detailed specification for the Taigo. We do know it sits on the same MQB A0 underpinnings as the T-Cross, and will boast the marque’s MIB3 infotainment system.

This means the Taigo will likely offer a 9.2-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, navigation, and a digital driver’s display.

It also appears to offer even more customisation than the T-Cross. The car pictured here wears green cabin accents to set off the two-tone white seats. Funky stuff.

Volkswagen Taigo 2021-3 — European buyers will be offered plenty of interior customisation.

The Taigo’s sloping roofline indicates a sportier vehicle, though one with slightly compromised boot space of 438L. That said, the sleek Volkswagen still bests the coupe-esque Toyota C-HR (318L)

As standard, Volkswagen fits the Taigo with frontal AEB and lane departure assist, though will offer the full IQ.Drive program with adaptive cruise control and lane-trace assist on upper grades.

What will power the Taigo?

Volkswagen made no mention of the Taigo’s powertrains in the release. It is likely the small SUV will utilise the same engines found in the Polo and T-Cross, expect a 1L three-cylinder turbocharged ‘70TSI’ engine with 70kW of power and 175Nm of torque.

Volkswagen Taigo 2021-4 — Under the bonnet will be a familiar suite of engines, though the Taigo doesn’t look likely for Australia.

In higher trim levels, Volkswagen will likely offer an ‘85TSI’ tune which will bump outputs to 85kW/200Nm. All Taigo models will be FWD, and a manual transmission will likely be standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic optional.

Kurt McGuinness, Volkswagen Australia brand experience manager confirmed that currently there is no discussion around bringing the Taigo to Australia.