VW Tayron 7-seater revealed, replaces Tiguan Allspace

 

A Tiguan Allspace by any other name would seat just as many, Volkswagen figures, introducing the Tayron as its new seven-seat SUV this week.

 

Migrating over from the Chinese market, the Tayron badge will make its Australian debut as an entirely new generation directly related to the new Tiguan. Both family SUVs are due here in 2025 – the Tiguan in the second quarter, followed by the Tayron towards the end of the year.

 

In comparison to the outgoing Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron measures 4770mm long and 1852mm wide, making it 284mm longer and 13mm wider than its predecessor – although both ride on the same 2791mm wheelbase, highlighting the continuation of the familiar MQB platform in its upgraded ‘evo’ design.

 

As a dedicated seven-seater, the Tayron has a 114mm longer wheelbase than the new Tiguan, and measures 230mm longer overall. The big Touareg still outstretches both, however, with its 2904mm wheelbase.

 

Overseas, the Tayron will be offered with either five or seven seats, and while the company briefly offered the same choice in Australia, it’s likely to focus on the three-row layout at least initially.

 

Depending on the market, the new SUV will launch with no fewer than seven powertrains: one eTSI 48V mild-hybrid petrol, two TSI turbo petrol, two TDI diesel and two plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) eHybrid models, all using four-cylinder engines.

 

In Europe, the Tayron range kicks off with the mild-hybrid 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre petrol eTSI engine, while the diesel end will be topped by a 142kW/400Nm TDI model.

 

The eHybrid PHEVs will be offered in 150kW/350Nm and 200kW/400Nm forms –both with the same 19.7kWh battery pack and 100-kilometre claimed EV driving range. Charging will support up to 50kW on DC power, and 11kW on AC.

 

The space needed for the e-Hybrid system’s single electric motor and battery means they’ll be five-seaters only. Given Volkswagen Australia’s stated plan to bring more PHEVs to our roads, these may be the exception in an otherwise three-row line-up.

 

Volkswagen has yet to announce power figures for the entry diesel option and the two turbo petrol engines, although the latter are expected to be meaner 150kW and 195kW tunes of the company’s 2.0-litre mill. Whatever the case for the diesel engines, it’s likely Volkswagen Australia will focus on the turbo and electrified petrol choices.

 

The mild-hybrid and PHEV models are front-wheel drive, while the two TSI turbo petrol models (and the 142kW diesel) are paired with all-wheel drive and receive a 2500kg tow rating. Volkswagen’s DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, in six- or seven-speed guise, depending on the variant.

 

In its European form, the entry-level Life trim gets 17-inch alloy wheels, nine airbags, three-zone climate control, a rear view camera, digital driver display and a 12.3-inch main display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

 

Stepping up to the Tayron Elegance and R-Line adds features like 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels, open-pore wood or aluminium-look trim, noise-insulating laminated safety glass, powered boot lid, Park Assist Pro, micro-fibre seat trim (and sports seats in the R-Line), keyless access and start, programmable LED tail-lights, and ambient interior lighting.

 

Driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, and Lane Assist, which helps keep the vehicle centred in its lane. A new exit warning feature is also featured, preventing the doors from being opened if it detects an oncoming vehicle or cyclist.

 

The options list for Europe offers adaptive chassis control, IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights, and a Travel Assist system for semi-autonomous driving, along with a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon sound system, and leather seating with massage and ventilation functions.

 

Boot space in the Tayron is listed at up to 2090 litres in the regular five-seat model. The seven-seater, which sacrifices space for the third row of seats, offers a maximum of 1905 litres. The eHybrid model, with its additional battery components, provides slightly less capacity, at 1915 litres.

 

When measured up to the second seating row, the five-seater offers 885 litres, while the seven-seater has 850 litres. In the eHybrid, the space drops to 705 litres. With all three rows in use, the seven-seater provides 345 litres of luggage space.

 

The Tayron will reach Australia in late 2025, following the local debut of the smaller Tiguan.