The 2022 Volkswagen Taigo is here and will debut on the brand’s native continent.
Volkswagen’s new baby crossover is based on the outgoing South American Nivius (yeah, I had to google it too). And if everything goes as planned, the 2022 Taigo is all set to debut in Europe as a favorite among daily commuters. The crossover’s compact size, excellent connectivity features, raised seating position and impressive mileage make it an ideal vehicle for everyday use.
The German automaker offers the Taigo in two gasoline-powered engine options, a three-cylinder 1.0-liter unit producing 95 hp or 110 hp and a bigger four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine letting out a healthier 150 horsepower. And interestingly, both engines are petrol-powered, marking VW’s gradual shift from TDI engines. A five or six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic sends the power to the front wheels.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the Taigo bears a striking resemblance to its South American cousin. The five-seater crossover SUV comes with LED headlights, faux quad exhaust tips, and stunning alloy wheels. However, depending on the options selected, it also gets an illuminated radiator grille crossbar and the brand’s new IQ. LIGHT LED Matrix headlights are putting on quite a show.
According to Volkswagen, the Taigo is built on the same MQB platform used for the compact Polo hatchback and the T-Cross SUV. Dimension wise, it is 167.7 inches long, 69 inches wide and, 58.6 inches tall. Interestingly enough, it is only 0.1 inches shorter than the Golf, making it ideal for tight parking spots in a city setting. Furthermore, the wheelbase measures 101 inches, a bit longer than the T-Cross. And despite the “compact” moniker, the Taigo comfortable seats five people and can accommodate 438 liters of luggage.
The interior of the crossover also comes with a few tricks of its own. It gets an all-digital cockpit, a multifunctional steering wheel, and VW’s latest MIB3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Climate control also gets a slight upgrade from the one found in the Brazilian Nivus. Other features include wireless charging, an online control unit (eSIM), natural voice control, and cloud-based personalization that can be synced using Volkswagen ID.
As usual, Volkswagen does not compromise on the safety of its customers either. The Taigo comes with a host of driver assistance features, including front assist, forward collision assist, lane assist, IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, lane departure warning, and emergency brake function. Customers can also enable semi-automated driving up to 130 miles per hour, quite impressive for a B-segment SUV.
Keeping the Covid-19 pandemic in mind, VW presented the Taigo’s virtual European debut on its Youtube channel. Unfortunately, that’s another pretty decent model that won’t reach the US.
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