2026 Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance review

Do you like the Tiguan but need seven seats? The Volkswagen Tayron has you covered.

The Tayron is the successor to the longstanding but oft-forgotten Tiguan Allspace, which means it’s effectively a longer-bodied version of the new-generation Tiguan and has a longer wheelbase to accommodate a third row of seating. And it now has a different name to make it clear they’re different models on the showroom floor.

To Volkswagen’s credit, that seems to be working. The Tiguan and Tayron are neck-and-neck at roughly 650 sales so far this year, so any confusion seems to have been cleared up since the new generations of both models were launched in 2025.

That said, the Tayron is still being outsold by other similarly sized three-row SUVs, including more expensive ones. While that's not good news for Volkswagen's seven-seater, it’s also a reflection of the German brand’s overall sales, which are down 18 per cent year-to-date compared with the same period in 2025.

Does the Tayron deserve to be selling better, or is the Tiguan the more logical buy?

How much does the Volkswagen Tayron cost?

The Elegance is the penultimate grade in the non-hybrid Tayron range, priced at $60,390 before on-road costs.

Direct rivals for the seven-seat Tayron include the Toyota Kluger, which starts at $62,410 before on-roads and is offered exclusively with hybrid power.

There’s also the Hyundai Santa Fe, which ranges in price from $54,000 to $77,150 before on-roads, and the Kia Sorento, which is pricier at the top of its range. The Mazda CX-80 is also more expensive but, like the models already mentioned, it is outselling the Tayron.

For Volkswagen-specific context, the equivalent Tiguan 150TSI Elegance costs $61,590 before on-roads.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

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What is the Volkswagen Tayron like on the inside?

Just like the regular Tiguan, the Tayron’s interior is visually simple but functionally somewhat complex, owing to its reliance on screens over physical buttons.

The only physical controls you get are the buttons on the steering wheel and the controls on the centre console. That means you’ll have to dive into the touchscreen to make even the most basic of adjustments, though Volkswagen has attempted to simplify this process by providing an array of customisable shortcuts.

While it’s far from ideal compared to a permanent array of dedicated physical buttons, it is nice to have control over what menus and functions are easiest to access. It’s particularly helpful to be able to access a menu like vehicle settings with a single touch.

That said, the piano-black haptic sliders below the screen are still horrid. There’s no reason for functions as basic as audio volume and air-conditioning temperature to be this fiddly when simple and effective buttons have existed for years, and the use of glossy black plastic means any greasy fingerprints will be on display for all to see.

All other climate controls are buried within the screen itself, albeit accessible via an always-on ribbon at the bottom of the display. It’s needlessly cumbersome and means even simple adjustments require you to divert your attention longer than you should.

At least there’s an alternative to audio volume: the multi-function dial on the centre console. This can toggle between audio volume and the drive modes, and it works quite well – even if it feels like an off-brand version of Skoda’s lovely Smart Dials.

If that’s not good enough, you’ll find the real steering wheel buttons clearly labelled and nice to press. We appreciate that Volkswagen is committed to reintroducing physical buttons here, and the Tayron is much easier to live with as a result.

The ones on the left are responsible for cruise control, and the ones on the right navigate the instrument cluster. The latter unlocks several different layouts and themes, and there should be plenty on offer to satisfy the needs and tastes of most motorists.

However, there was one confusing moment here. While driving along we received a tyre pressure warning, but we couldn’t for the life of us figure out which tyre was actually low. We sifted through everything – including all vehicle status menus we could find – but nothing provided a more detailed breakdown of the warning.

Even if we missed something, that proved there’s either a limitation in the monitoring system or in the way the car’s screens are configured – neither of which you want to grapple with when you’re travelling at speed. Oh, and none of the tyres were actually flat.

Beyond that, the Tayron’s cabin is a pleasant place to spend time. There’s no denying the pared-back design looks tidy, and the unique wood inserts and artistic ambient lighting elements of the Elegance really elevate its ambience.

It’s unfortunate that there’s still a fair bit of piano-black plastic on high-touch areas, namely the infotainment system’s sliders and the centre console. As is always the case, this looks nice and shiny in photos but smudges and scratches very easily.

That’s the only real misstep in Volkswagen’s material choices for the Tayron cabin. Everything else is super-plush: there’s plenty of soft-touch synthetic leather on the dashboard, armrests, and seats, while the steering wheel is a highlight with its premium look and feel.

You’ll also find the cabin is fairly configurable. While we could do with more reach adjustment for the steering wheel, there’s a good range of powered movement in the plush, massaging seats, including thigh and lumbar support.

Storage is also decent. There’s a central cubby with movable dividers and cupholders, allowing you to hide things under the central armrest as needed, along with a robust rubberised flap further forward. There, you can place loose items on top, or charge devices using the dual phone chargers and USB-C ports underneath.

Moving to the second row brings another comfortable, spacious area. It may not be visually interesting beyond the white accents in the upholstery, but it doesn’t need to be: the bench is well-sculpted and comfy, and passengers of all shapes and sizes should fit without issue.

The middle seat is even workable if need be, though there’s still a sizeable driveline hump on the floor. Otherwise, passengers can make use of a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, and a simplified climate system on the back of the centre console, plus dual USB-C ports and even seat heating.

Further back is the third row; the whole reason you’d buy a Tayron over a Tiguan. Spacious is not a word that comes to mind, but once you’ve shuffled the second-row seats around and taken your seat, you’ll find it’s actually fairly practical.

The Tayron isn’t meant to be a people mover, so the third-row seat area is just large enough to work, which means you’ll be able to haul a car full of adults with relative ease. Of course, the seats lack meaningful bolstering, but that makes them slimmer and allows for a flat cargo floor when they're folded down.

You can do so using handy levers on either side of the boot, which unlocks 850 litres of space. That’s hardly much of a compromise on the 885 litres offered by the sole five-seat Tayron variant, and both boots are significantly larger than the 700 litres offered by the defunct Tiguan Allspace.

Better yet, all Tayrons offer a power tailgate with a kick sensor, and there’s a space-saver spare wheel under the floor as standard – along with provisions to store the retractable cargo cover.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Powering the Tayron 150TSI is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Our week with the Tayron was dominated by highway commuting, including a lengthy round-trip to the Lang Lang proving ground. The skew towards low-intensity driving provided a better-than-claimed fuel economy readout.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

How does the Volkswagen Tayron drive?

For all intents and purposes, the Tayron drives like a larger Tiguan. That’s both good and slightly less good.

Naturally, both cars are practically identical beyond the Tayron’s stretched wheelbase, so similarities are to be expected. That means both have the same dorky column-mounted, twistable gear selector, which will only be found by newcomers once they inevitably and incorrectly look to the multifunction dial in the middle.

However, there are far more significant consistencies between the two models than just their efforts to reinvent age-old automotive conventions. One is a well-balanced chassis, as the Tayron doesn’t feel any more unwieldy than the Tiguan in bends, despite its extra length.

That gives it a sensible character on the road, and it’s incredibly easy to understand the car from behind the wheel. It’s not particularly exciting, but it all seems to work just right.

The most significant part of this is the car’s powerplant. In 150TSI guise, the 2.0-litre turbo-four offers decent performance without setting the world alight, even if you have to work it a bit harder than many other cars to make the turbo do its best work.

It stays fairly refined across its rev range, keeping its voice down enough to prevent overpowering conversations, and transmitting no notable vibrations through the cabin. The 150TSI is arguably the sweet spot in the Tayron’s three-engine non-hybrid lineup, at least in terms of the compromise between efficiency and performance.

The automatic transmission is also solid. It’ll still exhibit some typical dual-clutch behaviour, stumbling while crawling at low speed in traffic, but its shifts are generally smooth once up to speed.

You can take control of changing gears using the steering wheel’s paddle shifters if you like, though you’ll notice some input lag in any drive mode that isn’t Sport. They’re still functional if you need to hold gears while towing, though.

On that note, it’s super-easy to flick through the various drive modes. While they’re accessible via the infotainment system, the most convenient way to make a change is to press the multifunction dial down and then twist to your desired mode.

All modes do what they say on the tin, though Sport mode has the advantage of stiffening up the Tayron’s steering and suspension. The former feels nice by default, despite the fact it isn’t Volkswagen’s fancier ‘Progressive Steering’ system that feels even nicer still. It’s just appropriately weighted and communicative enough.

The adaptive suspension damping, meanwhile, is enabled via Volkswagen’s Dynamic Chassis Control Pro (DCC Pro) system, which is as well calibrated as ever – though perhaps not as impressive as it is in other Volkswagens.

The main issue with the Tayron is that it feels somewhat crashy, at least more so than we experienced in the Tiguan. It’ll clatter over harsh bumps with some aggression, generally feeling firmer than we’d expect, regardless of the drive mode.

Naturally, the benefit is decent handling. The Tayron can take turns with decent composure even in its most comfortable suspension setting, with Sport mode there to give you an extra edge on twisty roads, or large roundabouts if you need to scoot around a slower vehicle.

Still, we could do with a little more compliance in the day-to-day, as the Tayron’s ride can wear on you during longer stints behind the wheel. You can at least take some of the load off by using any of the vehicle’s well-calibrated safety gear.

Aside from the tyre pressure monitor we mentioned earlier, we found the Tayron’s safety suite to be functional and reliable. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring systems are highlights, with the former appropriately reacting to and matching surrounding traffic, and the latter confidently keeping the car on the straight and narrow.

We had no issues with any passive systems intervening unexpectedly, either. It’s simply a complete package that gets the job done in a no-fuss manner, and the minor hiccups we experienced aren’t exactly deal-breakers.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

Four grades of Volkswagen Tayron are currently sold in Australia.

2026 Volkswagen Tayron 110TSI Life equipment highlights:

• 7-seat capacity
• 18-inch ‘Bologna’ alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare wheel
• Auto LED projector headlights
• Animated LED tail-lights
• Illuminated front and rear Volkswagen logos
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Black plastic exterior cladding
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors with position memory
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Cloth and synthetic leather upholstery
• Manually adjustable seats with lumbar support
• 10.25-inch digital instrument display
• 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth
• DAB+ digital radio
• 5-year connected services subscription
• 2 x front USB-C ports
• 2 x second-row USB-C ports
• Dual wireless phone chargers
• 8-speaker sound system
• Tri-zone climate control
• 10-colour interior ambient lighting
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Keyless entry
• 4 drive modes:
  • Eco
  • Comfort
  • Sport
  • Individual

Tayron 150TSI Life adds:

• 5-seat capacity
• All-wheel drive
• Adaptive chassis control (DCC Pro)
• 6 drive modes:
  • Eco
  • Comfort
  • Sport
  • Individual
  • Off-road
  • Snow

Tayron 150TSI Elegance adds:

• 7-seat capacity
• 19-inch ‘Catania’ alloy wheels
• 2-module auto LED projector headlights with dynamic cornering
• Chrome exterior accents
• Rear privacy glass
• Aluminium scuff plates
• Ash wood interior accents
• Heated steering wheel
• ‘Varenna’ leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front sport seats
• 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage and position memory
• Heated second-row outboard seats
• 30-colour interior ambient lighting

Tayron 195TSI R-Line adds:

• 20-inch ‘Leeds’ alloy wheels
• Progressive steering
• Matrix LED headlights
• 3-mode animated LED tail-lights
• Dynamic rear turn signals
• R-Line exterior styling
• Black headliner
• Stainless steel pedals
• R-Line leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Head-up display
• 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• IDA voice assistant
• 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

Options

Two option packs are available for certain Tayron variants.

Black Style Package (Tayron 195TSI R-Line, $600) adds:

• R-Line bumpers with gloss black accents
• Gloss black roof rails
• Gloss black side mirror caps
• Black/dark anodised interior accents

Sound and Vision Package (Tayron 150TSI Elegance, $4200) adds:

• Matrix LED headlights
• Head-up display
• 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• IDA voice assistant
• 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

The Sound and Vision Package is standard on the Tayron 195TSI R-Line.

A panoramic glass sunroof is also available for the Tayron 150TSI Elegance and 195TSI R-Line for $2100, while 20-inch ‘York’ alloy wheels are available on the 195TSI R-Line for $900.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

Is the Volkswagen Tayron safe?

The Volkswagen Tayron has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2025.

Standard safety features include:

• 9 airbags, incl:
  • Curtain
  • Front-centre
  • Rear-side
• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Cyclist detection
  • Pedestrian detection
• Driver attention monitor
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front cross-traffic alert
• Junction assist
• Lane departure warning
• Park Assist Plus
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit assist
• Surround-view camera
• Traffic sign recognition
• Travel Assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane-centring
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The Tayron 150TSI Life adds hill start assist and hill descent control.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

How much does the Volkswagen Tayron cost to run?

Volkswagen Australia backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing for the Tayron is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Volkswagen Australia’s individual service pricing is detailed below:

For context, the Toyota Kluger costs $1400 to service over five years, while the Hyundai Santa Fe (non-hybrid) costs $2455, and the petrol Kia Sorento costs $2605.

Maintenance for the Tayron over five years is even slightly more expensive than that of the six-cylinder petrol-powered Mazda CX-80, which costs $3583.

To see how the Volkswagen Tayron stacks up against the competition, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance

The Tayron is a good thing and might just make more sense than the Tiguan, even if you don't need seven seats.

The Tayron has most of the positives of the Tiguan – namely, a comfortable interior and sensible powertrain options – but trades the good ride and general dynamic competence for a longer body that can accommodate up to seven people.

The ridiculous service pricing and firm ride are a shame, but at least you’re getting decent bang for your buck. The fact the Tayron on test here is cheaper than the equivalent Tiguan, yet packs two extra seats inside a larger body, is proof of that.

The 150TSI engine is also the most sensible pick of the bunch, but you’d probably be just as well off dropping down a rung on the variant ladder and going for the Life instead of the Elegance. The lack of dashboard buttons is a pain across the range, but at least most of the important things work as they should.

Overall, the Tayron is a commendable family SUV, and while there may be some compromises compared to the Tiguan, in this case it’s difficult to argue with the lower price.

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