The Volkswagen Tayron fills the space between the Tiguan and Touareg. But the Tayron is closer to the Touareg in size than the Tiguan. This is especially noticeable because the Tayron is very spacious and actually feels at least as big as the Touareg inside. But on the outside the Touareg feels beefier. In terms of centimetres, there is only a difference of about 13 centimetres between the Tayron and the Touareg. While there is a difference of just over 23 centimetres between the Tiguan and the Tayron. So it's still not much.

If you want the Tayron as a family car and have more than one or two children, the Tayron is available as a seven-seater, but in the standard version it is a five-seater. At the Swedish presentation I was invited to, which was held in Östersund, both versions were available. Although I am not a tall person with my 178 centimetres, the back row of seats feels a bit small for me as an adult. Although my colleague and friend Mia Litström who was there for Tidningen Motor, with her 168 centimetres just fit. So the seat is probably more suitable and comfortable for a smaller person like a child for example. With all seven seats up, the boot holds 345 litres, with the two rear seats folded down 850 litres and with three more seats removed 1,905 litres. If you're the kind of person who prefers to load more but outside the car, the Tayron is capable of towing 2500 kilos on the towbar.

At present, there is no electrified version of the Tayron. However, there is a so-called mild hybrid. It's called eTSI and has 150 horsepower from 1.5 litres. Then there are six more powertrain variants for the Tayron. Two petrols and two diesels. The 2.0 litre TSI petrols, which are 204 and 265 horsepower respectively. Both are four-wheel drive. The diesel engines, TDI, are also 2.0 litres. One has 150 horses and they are sent to the front wheels. The other has 193 horses, which are distributed to all wheels. There are also two plug-in hybrids, the ebybrid, one with 204 and one with 272 horsepower. All versions have a so-called DSG dual-clutch gearbox. A gearbox that makes travelling and shifting very smooth. Some of the versions have six-speed gearboxes while some have seven.

As a journalist for carscollection.com, I had been invited to the Swedish press event and the test drive of the Volkswagen Tayron. But in addition, I had been hired by Swedish Volkswagen as a photographer for the event to provide the other journalists with pictures. As in the picture below John Sempill from Auto Motor & Sport. I also took pictures for Swedish Volkswagen that they needed from the event to put out in their channels. An assignment I have received for the Volkswagen Group and their brands several times. 

The day was arranged so that we started with a trip from Östersund where we landed and to a cosy place where we had lunch. There we got a small review of the car by the people from Svenska Volkswagen. Then we drove to Vemdalen where we spent the night. The same evening Volkswagen had the world premiere of the model ID EVERY1 which we saw together before dinner. The next day we drove back to Östersund and the ski stadium where we had lunch. At lunch, Volkswagen had also brought some of the Swedish biathlon team. Rikard Grip, to the right in the picture, who is the Secretary General of the Swedish Biathlon Federation. And Fredrik Myhr, who is Volkswagen's own project manager for biathlon activities. Magdalena Forsberg was also there and had lunch. A few pictures and a nice chat then it was back to Östersund airport where the other journalists flew home. My trip with Tayron did not end there as I had arranged to take one of the cars from there to drive to Åre. In Åre I took the pictures for this article and also made a film with a Tayron together with my colleague Waldemar Hansson.

The Volkswagen Tayron is truly a safe and comfortable car that fills up the space a Volkswagen is expected to. The Tayron comes in three versions, Life, Elegance and R-Line. It was an R-Line that I drove most of the time and also the version I took to Åre for the film project. What is standard and the same for all versions is, for example, three-zone climate control, digital gauge cluster, 12.6-inch infotainment screen, wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, driving profile selector and LED headlights with automatic high beam.

Externally, the Tayron is a stylish Volkswagen. Like the other new models, the Tayron has a bright Volkswagen logo at the front and rear. To frame the glowing Volkswagen logo, there are horizontal light pillars running along the front and rear from the front and rear lights. A stylish design that makes the car look really cool at night when darkness falls. To enhance the coolness of the Tayron, four different 20-inch alloy wheels are available as options.

Looking inside the Tayron, it feels very spacious. To add to that spacious feeling, a tilt and slide panoramic glass roof is available as an option. You can express your personal mood by choosing from 30 colours to light up the interior of the new Tayron. If you choose Elegance, you will get wooden inlays. R-Line, which I took with me to Åre and is in the pictures, has inserts in ArtVelours. The so-called ergoActive seats have a massage function and seat upholstery partly in leather. For example, you can heat the seat cushions and backrests independently of each other or switch on the seat ventilation on warmer days. With the optional 10-chamber pressure point massage in the backrests, you get well-being right up to your shoulders. A very nice feature on days when your back is extra tired and needs a little extra care. 

And on days when you're tired but still need to drive to work, for example, it's good if the car can help a little extra if you're a little inattentive. The Volkswagen Tayron is equipped with Travel Assist. Among the aids available, we find a function to keep you in your lane. A system that can maintain a preset maximum speed and a minimum distance from the vehicle in front. There is also a predictive cruise control and cornering assist. This system can then react to upcoming curves and roundabouts and adapt your speed to the current traffic rules. All so you can feel relaxed behind the wheel. 

The Volkwagen Tayron is sure to find many homes where it fills a much-needed role. A vehicle that takes the whole family safely and comfortably where they need to go. They will be able to take what they need to take without having to sit and crowd in the car. For many of us, we spend quite a lot of time on the road in our cars. With the Volkswagen Tayron, at least you do it in a nice way.

Volkswagen Tayron R-Line

Price: from 540 500 SEK

Engine: 2.0 TDI evo2, turbocharged diesel engine

Power: 193 hp, 400 Nm. 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG all-wheel drive.  

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 8 seconds.

Top speed: 221 km/h.

Weight: 2 390 kg.

Dimensions (length/width/height): 4 792/1 866/1 666 mm

Web: www.volkswagen.se