Crossovers selling for the same price as the new VW Taigo

The new VW Taigo has been introduced to South Africa boasting a unique coupe-like design that is unrivaled in the crossover category.

The Taigo aims to fill the gap between the T-Cross and T-Roc with its sporty look and liberal features, but a comparatively steep starting price of R429,900 means that, outside the VW stable, there are formidable competitors lying in the wait.

However, the new crossover brings heaps of technology to make up for its price tag, with a lively 1.0-litre petrol engine with 85kW and 200Nm driving the entire line-up.

This power unit connects to a dual-clutch, seven-speed, automatic transmission that turns the front wheels, returning a low combined fuel consumption of 5.4l/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 10 seconds.

Inside the cabin, buyers of the entry-level Taigo are spoiled with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, a central infotainment display measuring 6.5 inches diagonally, a leather multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic LED headlights, hill start assist, and all-round parking sensors.

Further up in the range equipment such as dual-zone climate control, LED matrix lights, as well as larger screens are also included.

Thanks to the lengthy silhouette, the new VW then brings a sizeable boot that carries up to 440-litres of cargo, which can be expanded to 1,222 litres with the rear backrests folded flat.

Crossover competition

For the VW Taigo’s South African pricing of between R429,900 to R486,000 the market offers a vast assortment of both full-size SUVs and compact crossovers.

These can be viewed below.

Click on the underlined prices for more information.

Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS

• Price – R425,400
• Power – 90kW/142Nm + e-torque

Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2T Shine

• Price – R429,900
• Power – 81kW/205Nm

Suzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX

• Price – R436,900
• Power – 103kW/220Nm

Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi EX

• Price – R438,995
• Power – 86kW/250Nm

Jeep Renegade 1.4T Sport

• Price – R439,900
• Power – 103kW/230Nm

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro 1.5T Executive

• Price – R444,900
• Power – 108kW/210Nm

Haval H6 2.0T Premium

• Price – R455,200
• Power – 150kW/320Nm

Peugeot 2008 1.2T Allure

• Price – R462,900
• Power – 96kW/230Nm

Fiat 500 1.4T Connect

• Price – R468,900
• Power – 103kW/230Nm

Honda HR-V 1.5 Comfort

• Price – R469,000
• Power – 89kW/145Nm

Opel Mokka 1.2T Elegance

• Price – R469,900
• Power – 96kW/230Nm

Hyundai Kona 2.0 Executive

• Price – R471,500
• Power – 110kW/180Nm

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2.0 GLS

• Price – R471,995
• Power – 110kW/198Nm

Mahindra XUV500 2.2CRDe W10

• Price – R475,999
• Power – 103kW/330Nm

Mazda CX-30 2.0 Active

• Price – R476,000
• Power – 121kW/213Nm

VW T-Cross 1.5TSI 110kW R-Line

• Price – R486,500
• Power – 110kW/250Nm