Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance 2025 Review
Has Volkswagen found the family sweet spot between mid-size and large SUVs?The Tayron is Volkswagen’s new family SUV for Australia, stepping in to replace the Tiguan Allspace. Measuring in at less than 4.8 metres long, it stretches 25 centimetres beyond the regular Tiguan, keeps most of its successful formula but adds two extra seats and some rear luggage space that would make a full-size SUV jealous. Yet, it remains shorter than large SUV rivals. Question is, can you have useable seven-seat flexibility and mass luggage space without the bulk of a full-sized SUV?
How much does the Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance cost?
At $59,490 before on-road costs, the AWD seven-seat 2025 Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance slots neatly between mainstream seven-seat mid-size SUVs and large family SUVs.
This trim grade of the Tayron gains Volkswagen’s 2.0L TSI petrol engine which pushes out a healthy 150kW and 320Nm. That grunt is channelled to the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed DSG gearbox. The braked towing capacity is an impressive 2500kg.
From launch the Tayron only comes with an option of petrol powertrains but plug-in hybrid options will be available in the first half of 2026. The wider Tayron lineup includes the 2WD seven-seat 110TSI Life ($48,290), AWD five-seat 150TSI Life ($53,990) as well as the range topping AWD seven-seat 195TSI R-Line ($73,490).
The line-up closely mirrors that of the new Tiguan which the Tayron is very much related to, so much so we had to keep checking the side profile to notice the difference between the two. Some trim levels are around $3000 more for the seven-seat Tayron but interestingly, the Tayron 150TSI Elegance is $1200 cheaper than the Tiguan 150TSI Elegance.
The Tayron 150TSI Elegance rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, brings leather-appointed seats with power adjustment, ventilation, heating and even massage function, and adds a heated steering wheel along with heated outboard second-row seats.
You also get three-zone climate control, Adaptive Chassis Control Pro including driving mode selection. The ambience is lifted on the inside with a 30-colour ambient lighting system while on the outside, the LED Plus headlights with an illuminated grille strip, LED tail-lights and subtle chrome highlights add to the modern style.
Inside, the tech story is strong. A widescreen 12.9-inch infotainment display with satellite navigation is front and centre, paired with Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit Pro for the driver. There are options and menus aplenty for those who enjoy customising their ride and experience. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is wireless phone charging for two phones and DAB+ digital radio.
Safety is covered comprehensively with nine airbags, Travel Assist with adaptive cruise and lane centring, semi-autonomous parking, a 360-degree camera and various collision-avoidance aids including Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, Side Assist with rear traffic alert, side exit warning and front cross-traffic assist.
At the time of review the official ANCAP crash score had not been released but it is expected that it will receive five stars, as has been the case for EuroNCAP.
The Volkswagen Tayron receives Volkswagen’s five year/unlimited kilometre warranty while servicing is every 12 months or 15,000km. It works out to be $4104 over the first five years, but Volkswagen does offer a servicing plan that brings the cost down to $3550 for the same period.
What’s good about the Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance’s engine is a highlight, delivering a balance of smoothness and punch that feels perfectly suited to its size.
The four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine doesn’t strain when asked to climb hills or overtake on the freeway, instead giving the SUV a sense of lightness and agility that belies its seven-seat layout. There’s no feeling of hauling around a heavy load, and that makes it a far more enjoyable daily driver than some bulkier rivals.
Matched with Volkswagen’s adaptive dampers, the ride quality is impressive. Potholes and patchwork roads are dealt with cleanly, while the system’s adjustability means you can set it up to be soft and comfortable for the commute, or firmer and sharper for a weekend run.
Inside, the Tayron feels every bit the $60K car. The materials are high quality, the layout is logical and there’s a sense of polish that’s a big step up from the old Tiguan Allspace. Volkswagen’s latest interior design language gives it a more modern feel and it’s easy to get comfortable whether you’re behind the wheel or in the back.
The second row is especially well executed. The bench depth and height mean adults sit comfortably without knees pushed up high or heads skimming the roof. Amenities are generous as well, two USB-C ports, rear climate controls, outboard heated seats and integrated window shades.
Despite offering seven seats, the Tayron feels easy to live with. It’s not intimidatingly tall, doesn’t feel truck-like to climb in and out of, and has the manoeuvrability of a mid-size SUV. Parking in tight shopping centre spaces or squeezing into a parallel park on the high street is simple, and from the driver’s seat you feel more connected to the road rather than perched high above it.
Boot space is also a standout. With all seven seats up you get 345 litres, which is already competitive. Drop the third row and you have 850L, while folding the second row unlocks a huge 1905L. There’s almost 300 litres more than a Toyota Kluger or Mazda CX-80 with five seats in play, despite the Tayron being around 15cm shorter overall.
The 2500kg braked towing capacity is impressive, matching the CX-80 and comfortably ahead of rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Outlander. While safety tech is also neatly executed. The adaptive cruise and lane-keeping functions are refined, cutting in when needed but never nagging with excessive beeps and warnings.
What’s not so good about the Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance?
The biggest compromise comes in the third row. It’s functional, but far from plush. Amenities are sparse, with no dedicated air vents, no USB ports and only one side receiving a cupholder. The other has a slim phone slot that feels tokenistic at best, especially considering that children, the most likely occupants, aren’t really going to be putting phones in there.
The seating position itself is low and best suited to smaller passengers, making it very much an occasional-use space. Much like the Tiguan Allspace before it, the Tayron’s third row feels like a bonus for families who like the idea of extra capacity rather than a selling point.
Buyers looking for the proper seven-seat experience you’ll find in a Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe may find it falls short. It’s a missed opportunity, because with those few extra amenities, the Tayron could have made a stronger case as a family seven-seater.
Price is another consideration. At close to $60K, the 150TSI Elegance sits in the thick of one of the most competitive segments in the market. It’s good value for those already sold on Volkswagen’s design and driving feel but compared to rivals that offer more kit for the same outlay, it risks being overlooked.
Running costs don’t help the case either. Individual services range from $554 to $1448, and even with Volkswagen’s Care Plans ($1891 for three years or $3550 for five years) you’re still paying a premium compared to some alternatives. The brand does throw in the first service as ‘free’ within the plan, but it doesn’t change the fact that ownership costs are on the high side for the segment.
Should I buy a Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance makes a convincing case as a family SUV that bridges the gap between mid-size and large segments. It delivers strong performance, rides impressively well and offers an interior that feels premium without being flashy. While the second row is spacious and well-equipped, boot space is genuinely best-in-class, and a 2500kg braked towing capacity adds versatility that many rivals can’t match.
Where it falls short is in the finer details. The third row is clearly designed for occasional use and lacks the amenities you’ll find in competitors like the Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe. Servicing costs are also steeper than average, while the $59,490 starting price means the Elegance faces some very sharp rivals that may tempt buyers on value alone.
If you want a seven-seat SUV that doesn’t feel bulky to drive or live with, yet still provides exceptional luggage space and towing ability, the Tayron 150TSI Elegance is a standout. It’s not the most convincing full-time seven-seater, but for families who only occasionally need those extra seats and value a polished, premium-feeling SUV without moving up to a larger footprint, the Tayron hits a sweet spot.
2025 Volkswagen Tayron 150TSI Elegance at a glance:
Price: $59,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 150kW/320Nm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 176g/km (ADR Combined or WLTP if overseas model)
Safety rating: Not tested
Related: 2025 VW Tayron Australian details revealed
Related: Volkswagen Tiguan 2025 review
Related: Volkswagen confirms Aussie Tiguan and Tayron PHEV investigation
Related: Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Adventure 2023 Review
- Massive boot space, even with all rows of seats in place
- 150TSI engine is punchy and smooth
- 2500kg braked towing a surprise in this segment
- Third-row amenities limited – as is passenger space
- May get lost in the large SUV crowd due to its comparable size and price
- This segment demands hybrids, so the lack of one from launch is a miss
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