Volkswagen South Africa has officially opened the order books for its latest SUV offering, the Tayron, set to hit local dealerships later this year. Positioned as a premium seven-seater, the Tayron fills a gap between the compact Tiguan and the flagship Touareg in the brand’s SUV lineup.
While closely related to the Tiguan, the Tayron is essentially a replacement for the outgoing Tiguan AllSpace. With a length of 4,790mm, it stretches 230mm longer than the Tiguan, offering a more spacious alternative without stepping into the territory of larger SUVs like the Kia Sorento. In fact, its dimensions place it in between the Chery Tiggo 8 and the Touareg, which is reportedly set to be discontinued after 2026, according to Autocar. This means the Tayron will take over as Volkswagen’s local flagship SUV in South Africa, with the Atlas not available in the region.
Pricing & Specifications
While official pricing will be revealed closer to the Tayron’s launch, it’s expected to be priced above the Tiguan, which starts at R668,100. Volkswagen South Africa will offer three trim levels: the base Tayron, the Tayron Life, and the Tayron R-Line.
All variants are powered by the familiar 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine, producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox.
Tayron Base
The entry-level Tayron is available as a five-seater, equipped with a range of standard features. This includes a 12.9-inch infotainment display, adaptive cruise control with Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, and Park Assist. The base model also rides on 18-inch Bologna alloy wheels and comes with Eco LED headlights.
Tayron Life
The mid-tier Tayron Life adds several comfort and technology upgrades, such as three-zone automatic climate control, wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, and 10-colour ambient lighting. The safety suite is further enhanced with nine airbags. Aesthetically, the Tayron Life stands out with illuminated VW badges at the front and rear, LED headlights with automatic main-beam control, and 3D LED taillight clusters.
Tayron R-Line
The flagship Tayron R-Line takes luxury a step further, featuring ergo Active seats with heating and massage functions, Varenna leather upholstery, and an impressive 30-colour ambient lighting setup. Unique visual touches, including a sportier front bumper, LED Plus headlights, and 19-inch Coventry alloy wheels, set the R-Line apart from the rest of the range.
With the Tayron, Volkswagen South Africa offers a versatile, premium SUV that blends style, performance, and advanced technology. As the local flagship in the absence of the Touareg, the Tayron is poised to make a significant impact in the South African market. Stay tuned for more details, including pricing and availability, as the official launch draws closer.
Main Image: Car Magazine
