Reasons for the popularity of the Volkswagen Taigun!

It's inevitable that when you are an auto journalist, your friends and family will want to seek your advice when buying a new car. Of late, I’ve found myself responding to a few such inquiries in my own circle, thanks to it being the festive season, and it’s always interesting to hear about the many ways in which different folks plan to use a car. The criteria for choosing a potential new car is demanding too. Safety is a high priority, as is the equipment on offer, but what is all the more surprising is the trend where more Indian buyers are now eschewing the cars that simply offer better fuel economy and value, for alternatives that offer an engaging driving experience and performance. It seems that post the pandemic, more people want cars that are rewarding to drive and which make them feel alive behind the ’wheel – which is why I’ve often ended up recommending the Volkswagen Taigun.

The appeal of the Taigun starts from the fact that it wears the Volkswagen badge. In the context of the Indian market, Volkswagen has always been one of those brands that people have aspired to own, thanks to cars such as the Beetle, the Polo and more recently, the Golf GTI hot hatch that has now made its way to our shores. Volkswagen’s cars have always had an inherent trait to excite the driver behind the ’wheel, and I can vouch that this holds true with the Taigun as well since I have spent a considerable amount of time driving one. We’ve seen sporty cars make their way to our shores, but it’s not often that a mainstream SUV has felt this lovely to drive. I’m not just talking about the excellent ride and handling balance either. Once you step inside, the spacious cabin is laid out ergonomically and it's easy to find a good driving position, as the driver’s seat is adjustable for height while the steering can be adjusted for rake as well as reach. The cooled seats are always a boon to have in Indian climes and all of it makes the driving experience in the Taigun very pleasant. There are other good things to report too, such as the presence of an easy-to-use infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and seats that are comfortable yet supportive, especially helpful on longer journeys.

And those journeys are dispatched in a jiffy thanks to the performance on offer with the Taigun. This Volkswagen can be had either with a 1-litre TSI petrol or a 1.5-litre TSI EVO petrol engine, and both the engines are offered with the choice of a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission – the 1-litre TSI getting a 6-speed torque converter and the 1.5-litre TSI being mated to the 7-speed DSG. No matter which engine option you choose, once you get behind the ’wheel of a Taigun, it will bring a smile to your face. In fact, the first Volkswagen I ever drove was evo India’s longterm Taigun, and it was a love at first drive. This SUV’s compact dimensions coupled with the view from the driver’s perch make it excellent to pilot around in city traffic, and when you do get to an expressway, the Taigun’s high-speed stability is excellent. On highways, bad roads, or in some cases even no roads, this SUV gives you the confidence to push and pile on the kilometres, while also offering great comfort and a sense of safety to you and your passengers. I do know of people in my circle who did have other cars in mind when making a buying decision, but once they took a test drive of the Taigun, it was inevitable that they would bring one home. Such are its charms! We do have a Taigun in the clan as well and one of its most adventurous outings has been a road trip from its home in Maharashtra to the unforgiving region of Ladakh, and despite it being a 1-litre TSI, it never felt out of its depth during the drive to the north and then back home.

One of the reasons why a Taigun is so appealing and why it has been very popular amongst buyers in India however is the way it looks. Contrary to what the age old adage might say, people do judge a book by its cover and the Taigun, which looks like a shrunken down (previous-gen) Volkswagen Tiguan – a larger and more expensive SUV – does command good road presence while also sporting the timeless lines we’ve come to associate with Volkswagens. It does look smart and handsomely styled, and you can also choose between variants that offer chrome exterior elements or sportier blacked-out bits. You will see that there are quite a few Taiguns on our roads now, such is its popularity, but the design continues to look fresh and eye-catching even today, especially in the louder colours. My two-year-old nephew in particular is a big fan of the Taigun in the family, so much so that even when he has the opportunity to be driven around in the other cars that I might have on hand at the time of his visit, he vehemently throws a tantrum and will only be happy once he is back in the Volkswagen.

And that helps me sum up the appeal of the Taigun. It has been four years since this Volkswagen was launched in India, and while it continues to embody the legacy of performance and sportiness that cars such as the Polo established, this SUV also proves that those traits do not necessarily have to come at the cost of practicality or mass-market appeal. The Taigun has also helped get a lot more buyers into the brand’s fold and the tight-knit owner communities have always been enthusiastic and vocal about the appreciation for their SUVs. It’s not like the Taigun has broken from the status quo in any one aspect, but what it has done is score well on multiple fronts, such as performance, driving thrills, styling and comfort. Those who own Taiguns also tell me that what differentiates it from other offerings in the segment is that this SUV has a certain character. Every time you drive a Taigun, the experience feels special, making you appreciate being behind the ’wheel even in our chaotic traffic. The way that the SUV has been put together and the pull of the German brand also makes it feel more premium and expensive. But the best part is that thanks to it being devoid of gimmicks, the Taigun lets you appreciate the Thrill of Driving even more – and it’s hard not to love a car like that.