Although the Tayron feels typically solid, consisent and well-built inside, it’s not a haven of plush, luxurious materials.
Some softer plastics and richer fabrics are present on the doors and dashboard, but there are still a few too many glossy and scratchy surfaces throughout, and not quite enough premium materials to lift the ambience above that of the Tiguan. You get the feeling that Volkswagen didn’t want its newest SUV to cross over too much with the Touareg, the brand’s more expensive luxury flagship – and there’s also VW’s characteristic preference for functionality and understatement in its interiors to consider. The upshot is, other seven-seaters have a more upmarket cabin appeal.
All Tayrons get a 12.9in digital display as standard, however, plus a 10.3in digital instrument screen. 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 control- 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 and stopping the engine, and actuating 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 doesn’t transform the usability of the car’s secondary control concept, which many will still consider fiddly and too reliant on the touchscreen; but evenso it works surprisingly well.
It’s spacious in the Tayron’s front 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; and there’s room here even for taller adults to feel well catered for.
The third row is tighter than some, however; adults will struggle for comfort despite good access – although younger kids will manage fine. The more expensive Santa Fe’s third row is 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. Even in the last of those cases, the available space is generous enough to swallow bulky cases and pushchairs easily, and VW provides useful amenities (a 12v power socket in the boot, for example) and storage cubbies besides.