2026 Volkswagen Taigun Facelift Scores A Perfect 5-Star Global NCAP Safety Rating
Finally, after months of waiting, the German autogiant Volkswagen has launched the Taigun facelift in India. And soon after its official debut, it has been announced that the facelifted Taigun has secured a 5-star rating in Global NCAP. It has achieved 5 stars for both Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (COP), and it now continues to be one of the safest compact SUVs in India.
Presently, Global NCAP has not released the figures of the crash test performance of the new Taigun facelift. However, we have the results of the pre-facelift model, which was tested back in 2022. It scored 92.47 percent in the adult occupant protection tests and 91.84 percent in child occupant protection tests. As for the pedestrian protection and vulnerable road users test, it scored 54.14 percent.
Additionally, in the safety assist test, it scored 83.28 percent. In 2022, and also the new 2026 Taigun facelift will be tested under the latest and more stringent Global NCAP protocols. These crash tests include frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact, whiplash protection, and pedestrian protection.
The 2026 Volkswagen Taigun facelift is built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which is shared with the Skoda Kushaq facelift. This platform is known for its high structural integrity, stable bodyshell and footwell, and capability to withstand further loadings in crashes.
In the adult occupant protection frontal crash test, it was noted that the driver's chest had adequate protection and the passenger's chest had good protection. Also, both knees had good protection.
The newly facelifted Taigun comes offered with 3-point seatbelts for all rear passengers, 6 airbags as standard, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with EBD, traction control, Hill Hold Control, multi-collision braking, brake disc wiping, ISOFIX child seat mounts, all-wheel disc brakes (on GT variants), and an auto-dimming IRVM.
Additional safety tech of this mid-size SUV includes front and rear parking sensors (acoustic + optical feedback), and AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking), available on the majority of variants. It was expected that the 2026 Taigun facelift would be getting an ADAS suite and a 360-degree camera. However, both have not been offered. The Taigun’s BNCAP rating is not yet available.
The new Taigun facelift is being offered in multiple variants, including Comfortline, Highline, Highline Plus, and Topline. The GT variants include GT Line, GT Chrome, and GT Sport. It now boasts a slimmer grille with an LED light bar, an illuminated VW logo (front and rear), which is segment-first, redesigned bumpers (front and rear), and infinity LED tail lamps with sequential indicators, welcome and goodbye lighting animations.
It now also gets new 17-inch alloys (top trims) and 16-inch alloys (lower trims). Additionally, the new colours include Avocado Pearl and Steel Grey. The GT variants feature gloss black accents and multiple GT badges.
As for the inside, the new Volkswagen Taigun retains the familiar dashboard but with improved materials and finishes. It features multiple interior colour themes. In terms of the new additions, it gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an integrated app store.
Other notable highlights include an amplifier and subwoofer setup, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat, ambient lighting, wireless charging, and Smart and touch Climatronic AC (standard).
Coming to the powertrain options, it gets the same 1.0-litre TSI motor, which makes 115 PS and 178 Nm torque. It now gets a new 8-speed torque converter automatic and a standard 6-speed gearbox. The 1.5-litre TSI engine is also being offered, which makes 150 PS and 250 Nm. However, it will now only be offered with the 7-speed DSG gearbox.