Volkswagen Tayron review

Although the Tayron feels well-built inside, it’s not a haven of plush materials.

Some softer plastics and fabrics are present on the doors and dashboard, but there are still a few too many glossy and scratchy surfaces throughout.

More physical buttons wouldn’t go amiss, but the Tayron’s interior is certainly a more intuitive space than the Peugeot 5008’s.

James Disdale

Special correspondent

There’s a clear feeling that Volkswagen didn’t want its newest SUV to cross over too much with the Touareg, the brand’s more expensive luxury flagship.

All Tayrons get a 12.9in digital display as standard, plus a 10.25in digital cockpit. A larger, 15.0in infotainment display is available as part of the £1130 Infotainment Package Plus, which also adds a head-up display, several USB-C charging ports and Volkswagen’s AI-powered voice assistant, Ida.

Volkswagen’s much-maligned climate and volume sliders are present, but they are at least backlit to make for easier night-time operation.

There are just two physical buttons on the centre console, for starting/stopping and the parking brake.

But Volkswagen has taken inspiration from Skoda with a new rotary dial that can be customised to control various functions, including the media, audio volume and drive mode. It works surprisingly well.

It’s spacious in the Tayron’s first two rows, with plenty of leg and head room. Comfort in the second row is enhanced by seats that slide and recline, plus numerous storage areas and cupholders.

The third row is much tighter than that of the 5008; adults will struggle for comfort despite good access to the seats. The more expensive Santa Fe’s is also more spacious and provides far more amenities, like USB ports and climate vents.

Boot space measures 885 litres in five-seat petrols and diesels, 850 litres in seven-seaters (or 345 litres with the third row in place) and 705 litres in the five-seat-only PHEVs.