Volkswagen’s new Tayron large SUV opens for orders in the UK this week, complete with ICE and PHEV powertrains and five- or seven-seat versions.

The Tayron sits between the Tiguan and Touareg in the Volkswagen line-up

Priced from £39,850, the newcomer sits between the Tiguan and Touareg in the Volkswagen line-up, delivering a successor to the Tiguan Allspace and competing with rivals such as the Peugeot 5008 and the closely related Škoda Kodiaq.

It’s the brand’s 10^th SUV and its only seven-seater in the sector. USPs include “practicality and versatility” combined with “high-end comfort and equipment”.

Its 4,792mm length makes it some 7cm longer than the Tiguan Allspace, giving more space for passengers in the third row of seats, when fitted, and an 850-litre boot when the third row of seats is folded flat.

Family friendly features include sun-blinds in the rear doors and an optional electronic child safety lock that’s operated from the driver’s door. It also offers a towing capacity of 2,400kg (braked, 12%). Volkswagen’s Trailer Assist manoeuvring system comes as standard in conjunction with the optional folding towing bracket.

The Tayron is also the first Volkswagen ICE model in the European market with illuminated logos at the front and rear.

The line-up includes six petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants across five trim levels.

The initial launch phase from 9 January delivers an entry level 150hp 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid petrol with seven-speed DSG, available for the seven-seat version, along with a pair of 1.5 TSI eHybrid plug-in hybrids with six-speed DSG and either 204hp or 272hp, both for the five-seater.

From 20 February, this adds three further engine choices for the seven-seater. These start with a 150hp 2.0 TDI diesel with seven-speed DSG and also add two non-electrified 2.0 TSI petrol engines, complete with seven-speed DSG and 4Motion all-wheel drive, and outputting either 204hp or 265hp.

The eHybrid PHEVs feature a 19.7kWh (net) battery with a range of up to 75 miles (WLTP combined), giving a 5% BiK rating for the current tax year. They can be charged with up to 11kW AC and 40kW DC; the latter enabling a 10 to 80% charge in 26 minutes.

Five trim levels are available in the UK – Life, Match (eHybrid only), Elegance, R-Line and R-Line Edition (eHybrid only).

LED headlights with automatic main beam control (Light Assist) are included as standard, as are nine airbags and, on eHybrid and TSI variants, Volkswagen’s DCC Pro adaptive chassis control system. All trims also come with three-zone air conditioning, 10-colour background lighting, an infotainment system with 12.9-inch screen, and a multi-function driving experience switch for adjusting driving profiles, audio volume and cabin atmospheres using pre-programmed lighting and audio moods.

Standard assist systems include adaptive cruise control (ACC), the oncoming vehicle braking when turning function, lane change system (Side Assist), lane keeping system (Lane Assist), and an automatic emergency braking system with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring (Front Assist). Park Assist Plus, a rear-view camera, dynamic road sign display and a new exit warning system, which prevents doors being opened if another road user approaches from behind, also come as standard.

Optional features include a 15-inch infotainment display, head-up display, IQ.Light HD matrix headlights with interactive lighting functions, and Travel Assist for longitudinal and lateral guidance.

Also available are the IDA voice assistant with ChatGPT integration (in conjunction with the optional Discover infotainment package), a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, a 700W Harman-Kardon sound system, plus leather upholstery on electrically adjustable seats with massage and ventilation functions.

Rod McLeod, director of Volkswagen UK, said: “The Tayron is the perfect addition to our range of SUVs, sitting between the top-selling Tiguan and the luxurious Touareg. With up to seven seats and plenty of luggage space, it really is the ideal companion for families and adventurers alike.”