The Volkswagen Taigun midsize SUV, launched on September 23, 2021, has completed three years in the Indian market. According to SIAM wholesales data, by the end of August 2024, the Taigun had sold 67,140 units domestically, while 32,742 units were exported to overseas markets. With a combined total of 99,882 units sold, the remaining 118 units to reach the 100,000 milestone were likely achieved in early September 2024.
The Volkswagen Taigun is the brand’s first midsize SUV, built on the globally recognized MQB A0 IN platform as part of the strategic India 2.0 project, featuring up to 95% localization at launch. The Taigun shares its platform with the Skoda Kushaq and competes in the growing midsize SUV segment in India, which includes rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, and Toyota Hyryder.
Offered exclusively with petrol engines, the Taigun comes with either a 115hp 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol engine (115hp, 175 Nm) or a 150hp 1.5 TSI (150hp, 250 Nm), both available with manual and automatic transmission options. Pricing for the 21-variant lineup starts at Rs 13.84 lakh (on-road Delhi) for the base 1.0 Comfortline variant and goes up to Rs 23.44 lakh for the top-end 1.5 GT Edge Sport DCT Mate.
Volkswagen’s midsize SUV offers chic looks, a favourable interior and good build quality. The 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI turbo-petrol engines are punchy, and the dynamics help increase appeal to keen drivers. As for negatives, space for five is tight, there are signs of cost-cutting, and it misses some features.
A little over a year after its launch, the Volkswagen Taigun aced the Global NCAP crash test with a top five-star rating as did the Skoda Kushaq. Both SUVs achieved the highest 5-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. The strong results affirmed the Skoda Auto Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project strategy to build cars of European quality standards for the domestic and export markets. In June 2024, Volkswagen India further enhanced the Taigun’s safety quotient by making six airbags standard fitment in the midsize SUV.
Earlier this month, to kick off the festive season, Volkswagen Passenger Car India announced Volksfest 2024 with attractive offers across the product range comprising the Taigun, Virtus sedan and Tiguan SUV for one-and-a-half-month period starting from September 14, 2024 till October 31, 2024.
