Volkswagen Tayron R-Line Review: A driver-focused seven-seater with a sporty streak

Volkswagen has expanded its SUV portfolio in India with the Tayron R-Line, a three-row offering that attempts to strike a careful balance between seven-seat practicality and the brand’s trademark driving appeal. Positioned above the Tiguan, the Tayron R-Line brings added space, sharper styling and familiar Volkswagen strengths, while still keeping enthusiasts firmly in its sights.Design: Sporty, Sophisticated, but Not Boxy

At first glance, the Tayron R-Line looks distinctly sportier than what you would traditionally expect from a three-row SUV. The large grille, bright matrix LED lighting and R-Line detailing move away from Volkswagen’s earlier conservative design language. The added length has been integrated neatly, lending the SUV a squat, planted stance.
That said, while it looks sophisticated and premium, it doesn’t quite have the overtly boxy or imposing presence of some of its rivals. For buyers who prefer subtle aggression over brute visual mass, the Tayron’s design will likely appeal.Boot and Practicality: Strong on Usability

Practicality is one of the Tayron’s strong suits. The powered tailgate comes with a gesture function that works for both opening and closing. With all three rows folded, the Tayron offers a cavernous 1,905 litres of boot space.

Even with all rows up, there is usable luggage room thanks to a flat loading floor, though the loading lip is slightly high. Fold the third row, and the space becomes generous enough to comfortably stack three or four large bags, making it well suited for family road trips.

Cabin: Familiar VW Quality, R-Line Flair

Step inside, and the Tayron R-Line immediately feels familiar if you’ve spent time in the Tiguan R-Line. Discreet R badges, suede inserts with contrast stitching, sporty seats and a perforated steering wheel set the tone. Build quality is exemplary, with soft-touch materials throughout and even felt-lined door pockets — a detail that’s becoming increasingly rare.

The 15-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard and is angled towards the driver, reinforcing the car’s sporty, driver-focused intent. The new stalk-mounted gear selector feels intuitive, combining gear, light and wiper controls seamlessly. Importantly, Volkswagen has avoided capacitive touch panels on the steering wheel, a welcome decision for usability.

While physical buttons are limited, a tactile rotary controller handles volume and drive modes. Most other functions reside in the touchscreen, which can be slightly distracting to operate on the move. The 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, however, is well executed, offering multiple layouts and clear information at a glance.

Rear Seats: Improved Second Row, Limited Third Row

The key differentiator over the Tiguan is space. The Tayron’s wheelbase is 109 mm longer, now measuring 2,789 mm, which translates into a noticeably roomier second row. Headroom remains decent despite the coupe-like roofline, and there’s enough legroom, thigh support and seat adjustability to get genuinely comfortable.

The second row is well equipped with sunshades, a separate climate zone, charging ports and storage spaces. It can also slide and recline to balance comfort with third-row access.

However, while Volkswagen markets the Tayron as a seven-seater, the third row is best reserved for children. Adults will find it tight, especially over longer journeys.

Performance: Strong Engine, Engaging Dynamics

Powering the Tayron R-Line is Volkswagen’s familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 204 PS and 320 Nm, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive is also available.

The engine feels refined and responsive, delivering ample grunt across the rev range. While the DCT can hesitate slightly during quick downshifts, strong low-end torque helps mask this. Switch to S mode, and the gearbox sharpens up noticeably, holding revs longer and delivering quick, decisive shifts.

With a 0–100 kmph sprint time of 7.3 seconds, the Tayron R-Line is genuinely quick for a three-row SUV. More importantly, it feels engaging to drive. Body control is impressive, grip levels are strong, and there’s a fluid, agile feel through corners that inspires confidence. The brakes, too, are progressive and easy to modulate.

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Verdict: A Rare Driver-Centric Family SUV

Volkswagen is yet to announce prices for the Tayron R-Line, but with local assembly, expectations are that it could be priced under ₹50 lakh. At that level, it makes a compelling case.

Yes, it could offer a more usable third row and a slightly stronger SUV-like road presence. But what it does deliver is solid build quality, strong technology, engaging performance and a distinctly driver-focused character — something that’s increasingly rare in this segment.

For buyers who want a premium seven-seater that doesn’t sacrifice driving pleasure at the altar of sheer size, the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line stands out as a thoughtful and well-rounded option.

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