The Tayron is Volkswagen’s latest plus-sized, seven-seat SUV

Say hello to the new Volkswagen Tayron. Essentially replacing the old Tiguan Allspace, it'll be VW's second-largest SUV, positioned between the Touareg and the Tiguan. Looks good, doesn't it? But before we get into that, there’s the small matter of decluttering the confusing powertrain lineup. 

Joining the from-launch mild-hybrid in due course will be a total of six different plug-in hybrid (PHEV), turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel powertrain options. VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive can be specced too, with the trusty DSG automatic transmission fitted to most models.

As for specific outputs, we know the 148bhp mild-hybrid will be upped to between 204 and 268bhp by the PHEVs. Volkswagen also says these will hit 62 miles of all-electric driving and 528 all-in before needing a pit stop. A towing capacity of up to 2.5 tonnes is also quoted, which should come in handy at some point. Probably.

You’ll eventually be able to opt for up to three trim levels: ‘Life’, ‘Elegance’ and ‘R-Line’. The Life is the only one available at present, and we know it’ll get three-zone automatic climate control, 10-colour ambient lighting and a multi-function steering wheel at the very least.

Wider bits and bobs for the Tayron lineup include the choice of five or seven seats - with 885 litres of storage space if five are chosen - and lots of plush materials like microfibre and open-pore wood with decorative trim. There’s a 12.6in infotainment screen nestled in there too with ChatGPT integrated. The ideal companion to provide you with useless facts about cosmology on long, dull journeys.

The standard safety suite includes lane assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and much more besides for all of the usual beeps and bongs. 

Now we can get on to that exterior, which measures 4.8 metres in length (around 100mm short of the Touareg). Standout traits include LED Matrix headlights, illuminated badges at either end and a full-length rear light bar. It’s a bulky, powerful shape with lots of straight lines, and you’ll choose between 17/18in alloys to pin it to the ground. 

The new Tayron can be ordered now in Germany, with the entry-level mild hybrid starting at the equivalent of around £38,000. Full UK pricing structures will be announced in due course.