2025 Volkswagen Tayron [UK]: The Seven Seat Sweet Spot

The year 2025 marks a new chapter for Volkswagen's large family SUV offering in the UK with the introduction of the all-new Tayron. Effectively replacing the popular Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron arrives to bridge the gap between the mid-sized Tiguan and the flagship Touareg. Built on the flexible MQB evo platform, this newcomer promises to blend quintessential VW refinement and technology with the crucial practicality of five or seven seats, directly challenging established rivals like the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento, and Hyundai Santa Fe. The question is: does the Tayron successfully carve out its niche in a fiercely competitive segment? Based on initial impressions, the answer is a resounding 'mostly yes'.

A Design of Understated Presence

At 4,792mm long, the Tayron is a substantial vehicle, comfortably seven centimetres longer than its predecessor, the Tiguan Allspace. Despite its size, the design is one of understated European sophistication. Volkswagen has resisted the urge for overt flashiness, opting instead for a clean, muscular aesthetic. The front fascia is dominated by the latest VW light signature, featuring sleek LED headlights and, in higher trims, an illuminated badge and full-width LED light bar. This motif is mirrored at the rear, giving the car a premium, wide stance, especially at night.

The silhouette is classic SUV, but clever touches like the 'hockey stick' chrome trim that extends the window line and the subtle spoiler help to make it appear lower and more dynamic than its height suggests. While perhaps lacking the visual drama of a Hyundai Santa Fe or the sportiness of the R-Line variants, the Tayron's design is safe, handsome, and likely to age gracefully, appealing to the brand's core customer base.

Cabin Comfort, Space, and Technology

The interior of the Tayron is where its evolution from the Tiguan Allspace is most evident. Up front, the design is contemporary VW, sharing much of the architecture with the new Tiguan, which is generally a good thing. The cabin feels solid, well-built, and largely premium, particularly in the Elegance and R-Line trims with their open-pore wood or suede-effect trims, patterned ambient lighting, and laminated side glass.

Central to the experience is the new infotainment system, typically controlled via a standard 12.9-inch touchscreen (with an optional 15-inch unit available). Thankfully, VW has learned from past mistakes, reintroducing backlit sliders for climate control and useful physical buttons on the steering wheel, making essential functions less frustrating to access on the move. A multi-function driving experience switch on the centre console conveniently allows adjustment of drive profiles, audio volume, and cabin ambience with a single control. Digital instrumentation is standard, and the optional Head-Up Display is a useful addition.

Practicality is the Tayron's main draw. The second row of seats is generous, offering excellent leg and headroom for adults, and it can slide and recline for maximum flexibility. The crucial third row, however, remains best suited for children or occasional short trips for smaller adults—a common compromise in this segment. Crucially, the non-PHEV seven-seat models offer a cavernous 850 litres of boot space with the third row folded flat, which is among the best in class. Even with all seven seats in use, a respectable 345 litres is available. It is important to note, however, that the long-range eHybrid (PHEV) models are five-seat only, with the battery occupying the space needed for the third row, which is a major consideration for company car drivers chasing the low Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rate.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

The Tayron's engine line-up is comprehensive and tailored for the UK market. It features a range of turbocharged petrol (TSI), mild-hybrid petrol (eTSI), diesel (TDI), and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) options, with power ranging from 150 PS up to 272 PS.

• The entry-level 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid with 150hp offers a smooth, economical starting point for most family duties.

• The stalwart 2.0 TDI diesel with 150hp remains the choice for high-mileage drivers, offering excellent real-world efficiency (circa 50mpg WLTP).

• For performance, the 2.0 TSI petrol with 204hp or 265hp comes with 4Motion all-wheel drive and offers brisk acceleration, with the top-spec hitting 62mph in just over 6 seconds.

• The eHybrid plug-in models are the technological headliner, offering two power outputs (204hp and 272hp) and a large 19.7kWh battery, delivering an exceptional official electric-only range of up to 76 miles. This makes it incredibly attractive to business users.

On the road, the Tayron is characterized by a feeling of solidity and quiet composure. VW has put significant effort into refinement, utilizing features like double-glazed acoustic glass to create a remarkably hushed cabin. The ride comfort is excellent, especially when equipped with the optional DCC Pro adaptive suspension, which manages to isolate occupants from all but the worst road imperfections. While the steering is well-weighted and reassuring, the Tayron is not an overtly sporty SUV; its focus is on comfort, stability, and easy drivability. It feels sturdy and capable rather than agile, which is exactly what a family SUV should be.

The Verdict: A Compelling, but Pricey, Contender

The 2025 Volkswagen Tayron is an incredibly accomplished replacement for the Tiguan Allspace. It’s practical, comfortable, packed with the latest technology, and offers a compelling array of efficient powertrains, particularly the class-leading long-range PHEV.

However, its arrival is not without caveats. It operates in a crowded market where key rivals offer strong alternatives. Its sibling, the Skoda Kodiaq, provides virtually the same platform and space for a notably lower price point. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers even bolder styling and a more premium-feeling cabin in its latest iteration.

The Tayron successfully establishes itself as the more premium-leaning, technologically-advanced option in its segment. For the UK buyer prioritising the feeling of German engineering solidity, class-leading PHEV range, and a sophisticated, high-tech interior experience, the Tayron is a must-consider seven-seater. Starting prices around the £40,000 mark for the Life trim are reasonable, but watch out for the VED jump over £40k and the price quickly escalating toward £50k for the high-spec or eHybrid models.

It's a testament to Volkswagen's continuous evolution that the Tayron manages to feel both familiar and refreshingly modern. It ticks all the boxes for the modern family: safe, spacious, supremely comfortable, and loaded with tech. It’s not the cheapest, nor is it the most exciting to drive, but as a highly refined and brilliantly executed family workhorse, the 2025 Volkswagen Tayron is undoubtedly a new benchmark in the large SUV class.