Performance, interior fit and finish and crisp displays
Fuel efficiency and No space in the rear seat
July was an incredibly busy month at TG, with back-to-back car launches, media drives and video shoots keeping the entire team on the move. Naturally, our long-term Volkswagen Taigun was called into action more than ever, serving as our dedicated tracking car and spending most of its time navigating Mumbai's notorious bumper-to-bumper traffic while carrying crew and camera equipment. To make matters worse, the heavy monsoon showers meant it also had to tackle rain-induced traffic snarls after almost every shoot.
As much as I enjoy the Taigun's 1.5-litre TSI engine paired with the seven-speed DSG gearbox, this month wasn't exactly the ideal environment for it. Hours spent crawling through traffic took a noticeable toll on fuel economy. Seeing single-digit efficiency figures became fairly common, making frequent fuel stops unavoidable. It's easily the biggest compromise of owning the more powerful 1.5-litre TSI, especially if your daily commute involves heavy city traffic.
The moment the roads opened up, though, the Taigun reminded us why it's one of the most enjoyable compact SUVs to drive. The turbo-petrol engine feels eager, the DSG delivers seamless shifts and the chassis continues to inspire confidence. The suspension, however, still feels a little too firm for Mumbai's broken roads, allowing sharp bumps and potholes to filter into the cabin.
Despite spending most of the month battling traffic instead of enjoying open roads, the Taigun once again proved to be a dependable workhorse. It handled every assignment without complaint, even if its appetite for fuel in relentless city traffic left us wishing for a little more efficiency.
