Volkswagen Taigo CS1 vs Volkswagen Tiguan CT1

Volkswagen Taigo

CS1 · 2021 – 2026

The first-generation Taigo (CS1), on the MQB A0 platform.

Volkswagen Tiguan

CT1 · 2024 – 2026

The third-generation Tiguan (CT1), on the MQB Evo platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Taigo

Pick the Taigo for a stylish coupé crossover with low running costs and city-friendly dimensions.

Best engine: The 1.0 TSI (110 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Tiguan

Pick the Tiguan for a roomy, practical family SUV with strong towing and a wide engine range.

Best engine: The 1.5 eTSI (150 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

1.0 TSI 110 · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Volkswagen Taigo	Volkswagen Tiguan
Power	110 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	200 Nm	250 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	10,5 s	9,1 s Winner
Top speed	191 km/h	210 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	93,6 hp/t	101,4 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	123 g/km Winner	128 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,4 L/100km Winner	5,6 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Volkswagen Taigo	Volkswagen Tiguan
Boot	440 L	652 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.222 L	1.650 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,57 m	2,68 m Winner
Length	4,27 m	4,54 m
Ground clearance	16,0 cm	19,5 cm
Turning circle	10,9 m Winner	11,7 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.200 kg	2.000 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Volkswagen Taigo	Volkswagen Tiguan
Platform	MQB A0 (transverse)	MQB Evo (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 1.0 TSI · EA211 Evo 1.5 TSI	EA211 Evo 1.5 eTSI · EA888 2.0 TSI · EA288 Evo 2.0 TDI · eHybrid PHEV
Transmission	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG	7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6e
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Volkswagen Taigo

Timing belt (wet belt) on some 1.0 TSI
Plastic water pump/thermostat module
Infotainment glitches (MIB3) on early cars

Volkswagen Tiguan

New-generation software (MIB4) may need campaigns
Higher weight/reinforced suspension on eHybrid
4MOTION diesels: AdBlue/DPF on short trips

Pros

Volkswagen Taigo

Coupé roofline sets it apart from the T-Cross
Thrifty 1.0 TSI with low CO2 (Euro 6d)
Generous standard kit (LED, digital cockpit)

Volkswagen Tiguan

Even bigger boot (652 l) with a flat load floor
Modern MIB4 infotainment and driver assistance
eHybrid with ~19.7 kWh battery and low CO2

Cons

Volkswagen Taigo

Less rear headroom due to the sloping roof
No diesel or all-wheel-drive options

Volkswagen Tiguan

eHybrid loses boot space (490 l)
Touch-slider controls take getting used to

Driving experience

Volkswagen Taigo

Light, easy and aimed squarely at town driving. The Taigo steers quickly and lightly, rides acceptably, and slips through city streets with little effort. The sloping roofline looks good but trims rear headroom, and it is front-wheel drive only. The 1.0 TSI is the sensible choice — smooth and economical — the 1.5 TSI adds useful pace, and the DSG is smooth. It is a style-led small crossover that prioritises looks and ease of use over outright practicality or driving involvement.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Comfortable, quiet and more car-like than the old Tiguan. The CT1 rides with better body control and noise isolation than the AD1, steers accurately, and feels lighter on its feet despite similar dimensions. Front-drive versions are easy; 4Motion adds traction in poor conditions. The 1.5 eTSI is smooth and efficient with its 48-volt assistance, the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance pick, and the eHybrid covers short trips on electric power. The DSG is smooth; there is no manual. It is a more polished, more digital version of the same formula — comfortable and competent, if still not exciting.