Volkswagen launches its small SUV Taigo

When a model like the Taigo fails to attract its audience, they liquidate the stock and give it a little boost with a facelift.

Launched in 2021, the Volkswagen Taigo is starting to show its age. Based on the Polo platform and directly derived from the Nivus, a star in the Brazilian market, the model has struggled to find its position within the lineup. Uncomfortably placed between two best-sellers, being 150 mm longer than the T-Cross and barely 37 mm shorter than the T-Roc, the German brand has not made life easy for it, to be fair.

So why was this model introduced to European markets? Simply to offer a small urban SUV with a pleasant look, exclusively available in conventional engine versions. Yes, there is no hybridization, even mild, no 100% electric variant; the Taigo is a pure combustion vehicle! Three petrol engines are offered: a 1.0 TSI with 95 horsepower exclusively paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, a 1.0 TSI with 116 horsepower available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission, and a 1.5 TSI with 150 horsepower exclusively paired with the DSG 7 automatic transmission.

We are liquidating the Taigo

With all models subject to a tax penalty, it’s safe to say that Volkswagen has struggled to sell them in recent months, despite very affordable prices starting at 25,370 euros. However, they need to make room in the dealerships as a facelift for the Taigo is announced for 2025. We don’t know yet if hybridization is on the agenda, but a small 48V system wouldn’t hurt and would primarily help reduce CO2 emissions to escape the penalty. But we’re not there yet.

To clear out existing models, until August 31 Volkswagen is offering 3,800 euros in customer benefits, which brings the entry price down to only 21,570 euros. A Long-Term Lease financing of 37 months / 30,000 km is also offered starting from 149 euros per month, but with a down payment of 4,500 euros, it’s much less appealing. So if a good old internal combustion engine and a 5-speed manual transmission don’t scare you away, it’s a very attractive offer for a model that benefits from all of Volkswagen’s expertise and has proven its reliability and robustness in emerging markets where it has had a great career.

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