Volkswagen Taigo vs T-Roc – which is best?

Especially when the Taigo and T-Roc are roughly the same length, fulfil the same purpose and drive in a similar way. So it’s understandably difficult to work out which is best for you – but we’re on hand to help.

Volkswagen Taigo vs T-Roc compared

Styling

From the front, it’s hard to tell the Taigo and T-Roc apart – both have very similar headlights and grille shapes. Further down, the T-Roc is marked out by a chrome bumper trim, but only until you get to R-Line, which uses similar black trim to the Taigo range. Around the back, the difference is spelled out – partly by the letters on the tailgate, but partly because the Taigo gets a near-full-width light bar whereas the T-Roc doesn’t.

Side-on, the Taigo looks like the longer car, because it has a more flowing roofline and a rear quarterlight window. The T-Roc is a little squarer, with broader ‘hips’ above the rear wheels.

Interior

The Taigo’s interior is pure Polo – the whole dashboard is pretty much identical, featuring an embedded eight-inch touchscreen in a wide dash panel. Although the T-Roc’s touchscreen is a little larger and appears to sit on top of the dash, the basic cabin layout is broadly similar. Both cars have shortcut keys so you can quickly get to the different screen menus, and a centre console that’s easy to figure out.

Material quality in the T-Roc is slightly better than in the Taigo, although the difference isn't vast. If you want a truly premium-feeling small SUV, you might be better off in the Audi Q2 or Mazda CX-30.

Dimensions and practicality

If these stats were for two cars from different manufacturers, you could accuse one of copying the other’s homework. But VW has copied its own homework, and the Taigo and T-Roc are astonishingly closely matched in this area.

The T-Roc’s extra width means it feels marginally more spacious inside, and its squarer shape means you’ll get very slightly more in the boot when you need to load above the parcel shelf. But both offer a big boot for the size of the car, and plenty of rear-seat space, so both will be big enough for day-to-day duties and the occasional well-packed holiday.

Engines

Now, the T-Roc’s and Taigo’s engine range is pretty much the same. Both start off with a 1.0-litre engine, which is available with 95hp or 115hp in the Taigo. The T-Roc only takes the more powerful of the two.

High-spec cars get a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a useful power boost to 150hp. This comes with a manual gearbox in the T-Roc with an optional automatic – the auto is standard in the Taigo because it’s a less popular choice than the 115hp engine.

In previous years, the T-Roc has also offered diesel engines, as well more powerful petrol engines with four-wheel drive – but these versions are thirsty and don't really add much excitement. 

Value

After so many similarities, you might expect these two cars to cost the same, too. But value lands in the Taigo’s favour, because it’s cheaper than the T-Roc both as a new car and on the used market.

For brand-new examples in Match trim with the same engine and paint colour, the T-Roc is about £2,000 more expensive. Comparing two used 2024 cars with the same engine and trim, the Taigo is still a good bit cheaper – even with an automatic gearbox versus a manual T-Roc.

We’ve combed through the standard equipment, and the highlights of the cheapest T-Roc that you don’t get on the cheapest Taigo include two-zone climate control, rear disc brakes and a two-tone horn. Hardly the must-have features, are they?

Which is best?

Because these two cars are so similar, there’s only a few reasons to pick one over the other. Of course, if you want a diesel engine, four-wheel drive or, indeed, a convertible, the T-Roc is the only option that’ll suit your needs. But if you’re happy with a petrol engine – which is punchy and economical – it makes total sense to go for the Taigo over the T-Roc.

Read our Volkswagen reviews, or shop used Volkswagen Taigo and used Volkswagen T-Roc cars for sale at Motorpoint.