After being on sale since 2021, the Volkswagen Taigun has received its first facelift in India, with prices ranging from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 19.30 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes with a more modern exterior inspired by bigger Volkswagen offerings and some additional features in an attempt to catch up with popular midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Kia Seltos. So how do the Taigun facelift’s specifications and prices compare to the rivals? Let us find out.
Volkswagen Taigun facelift vs rivals: Dimensions
Taigun facelift has a larger wheelbase than the segment bestseller Creta
*Unlike other models, Tata has measured the Sierra’s boot space till the SUV’s roof
The Seltos is the longest in the midsize SUV segment, while the Sierra is the widest and tallest and has the longest wheelbase. The Taigun sits at the bottom end of the dimension spectrum with the shortest length, width and height figures. Interestingly, at 2,651mm, its wheelbase is 41mm longer than the segment bestseller Creta and 66mm longer than the Astor.
It has the lowest claimed ground clearance among its rivals. Like the Kushaq, it has a boot space of 385 litres, which is 26 litres more than the Astor and 12 litres more than the Grand Vitara and Hyryder but less than what the other rivals offer. It gets up to 17-inch rims, similar to the Maruti-Toyota offerings, Kushaq, Elevate and Aircross.
Volkswagen Taigun facelift vs rivals: Powertrain options
Taigun facelift continues with the same turbo-petrol engines as before
*P = Naturally-aspirated petrol; T = Turbo-petrol; H = Strong hybrid; D = Diesel; C = CNG
^DHT = Dedicated Hybrid Transmission
The Volkswagen Taigun facelift comes with 115hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 150hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine options. The smaller unit produces 15hp more than the Duster’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and is more potent than all the models with a naturally aspirated engine, except for the Elevate. As for the higher-spec 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, the Taigun’s unit produces the least power and torque in the segment.
The Sierra has the most potent diesel mill in this comparison, and only the Maruti and Toyota models currently offer strong-hybrid, CNG and AWD options in this space. The Taigun continues to lack a diesel or strong-hybrid option.
Volkswagen Taigun facelift vs rivals: Prices
Starting prices for both TSI options on Taigun are more than those of Kushaq
Comparing the entry-level turbo-petrol engines, the Duster offers the most affordable base variant, followed by the Kushaq and Taigun. As the Creta, Victoris, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Aircross and Astor are offered with a naturally aspirated petrol mill, they start at a lower price than the Taigun.
Coming to the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, the Creta is the most expensive, priced Rs 30,000 higher than the Taigun, which starts at Rs 19 lakh. The Taigun costs over Rs 6 lakh more than the Duster and Seltos, Rs 1.81 lakh more than the Kushaq and Rs 1.01 lakh more than the Sierra. At the top end of the 1.5-litre-engined models, only the Duster and Kushaq are more affordable than the Taigun.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
Rivan RS 
Saumil Shah
