Volkswagen Taigo SUV

1.0 TSI Life 5dr [2025]

The coupe-SUV is a trend started by the big German brands. BMW brought out the X5-derived X6, and Mercedes-Benz followed suit with the GLE Coupe before Audi jumped on that particular bandwagon with its Q8. Even Porsche created a more rakish version of the Cayenne to slake customers’ thirst for luxury SUVs with a slightly sportier shape.

Not only has that idea spread outside of Germany, but it has trickled down to smaller and less premium models. Renault has created a (stretched) coupe version of the Captur called the Arkana, and Skoda’s new electric SUV, the Enyaq, now also has a coupe form. By the same token, Volkswagen’s electric SUV, the ID.4, has spawned a more saloon-shaped variant called the ID.5.

And even lower down the VW range is this: the Taigo. Based on the popular T-Cross, it comes with a slanted rear window and a slightly lower roofline, designed to make it look a little more purposeful. VW says it has managed to achieve this sportier look without drastically affecting the T-Cross’ practicality credentials, but can that really be the case?