Volkswagen Taigun Facelift First Drive Review: Sharper, Safer, and Still Fun to Drive

The Volkswagen Taigun Facelift gets subtle design changes, added features and the same rock solid fundamentals that made the original a hit among driving enthusiasts. Based on the MQB A0 IN platform for India, the revised Taigun is about refinement and not totally reinventing the wheel – making what was good even better: Safety, dynamics and everyday usability.

Here’s a detailed first drive impression after a day behind the wheel of what’s new and if this facelift makes the Taigun’s position stronger in the fiercely competitive compact SUV space.

What’s New Out There?

Volkswagen hasn’t gone crazy with style. The facelift however gets:

• New LED headlamps with more distinctive DRL signatures
• A new grille with more gloss-black trim
• New alloy wheel designs in dual-tone
• New LED tail light pattern (connected look)
• New colors

The Taigun still looks clean and European but these updates add a modern touch that helps it stand out against feature-heavy rivals.

Cabin Changes: More Tech, Same Solid Build

Step inside and you’ll notice meaningful upgrades:

• Bigger, newer infotainment interface
• New user interface on a fully digital instrument cluster
• Front ventilated seats (on higher trims)
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Touch screen display Electric sunroof Wireless charging

One of the Taigun’s strengths is material quality. The doors shut with a reassuring clunk and the dash feels solid, classic VW stuff.

Engines Left Alone – And That’s A Good Thing

The facelift carries on with the tried and tested TSI range:

• 1.0 L TSI – 115 PS, 178 Nm (Manual & Auto)
• 1.5 L TSI EVO – 150 HP, 250 Nm (7-speed DSG with ACT)

These engines were already the benchmarks in the segment for refinement and punchy performance.

The 1.0 TSI is lively and nimble on the road, ideal for city travel and occasional trips on the highway. The 1.5 TSI DSG remains the enthusiast’s choice, with effortless acceleration, quick shifts and the cylinder deactivation tech that helps with efficiency at cruising speeds.

First Drive: The Driver’s SUV, Still

Within the first few kilometres, the Taigun shows you why enthusiasts love it:

• Steering is accurate and well weighted
• Suspension takes the sting out of bad roads without losing its cool.
• Very good high speed stability
• The body roll is well controlled in corners

The mechanical setup has not changed with the facelift, and that is good news. It still drives like a European SUV, planted, confident and engaging.

Quality & Comfort of Ride

Volkswagen has tweaked the suspension a little for improved low speed comfort. Potholes and rough patches are now dealt with more smoothly, without upsetting highway manners.

Seats are supportive, visibility good and cabin insulation keeps road noise at bay.

Safety: The Taigun’s Greatest Asset

The Taigun’s 5-star Global NCAP legacy is alive and kicking. Safety features:

• Six-bag
• Electronic Stability Control (as standard)
• Hill of Control
• T P M S
• Rear camera with sensor
• Solid MQB A0 IN architecture

There aren’t many SUVs in this segment that offer this kind of structural safety and the facelift continues to carry this key advantage forward.

Features Competitors

The facelift helps Taigun bridge the feature gap with rivals like:

• Hyundai Creta (6)
• Kia Seltos
• Skoda Kushaq Skoda Kushaq

Rivals still pack more gimmicks, but the Taigun now feels far less spartan and far more premium.

Mileage Expectations

• 1.0 TSI: ~18-19 km/l claimed.
• 1.5 TSI DSG: ACT efficiency approx 18km/l

Our drive saw real-world figures around 14-16 km/l, which is impressive for turbo-petrol performance.

Who is the facelift for?

This update is perfect for buyers that:

• Looking for the best safety in a compact SUV
• Like to drive and enjoy the handling dynamics
• Prefer solid build quality over gaudy features
• Seeking an SUV well-rounded for city + highway

Verdict: A driver-centric update with plenty of thought

The Volkswagen Taigun Facelift isn’t in your face, it simply makes an already fantastic package even better. With enhanced features, a new look and the same brilliant mechanicals, it remains one of the most rewarding compact SUVs to drive in India.

If you like the safety, stability and driving pleasure, the Taigun facelift should be on the top of your list. It shows that small changes can make a big difference at times.

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