Volkswagen Taigo

Which Volkswagen Taigo version to buy: 1.0 MT, 1.0 DSG, or 1.5 DSG

If the question is which Volkswagen Taigo to choose, the catalogue has one generation (from 1 July 2021, still current), one body (SUV 5-doors), and six versions that share the same names in pairs. The buying decision is not “which generation”: it is which of six petrol, front-drive combinations to pick. Three are labelled 1.0 MT (95 hp, 110 hp, 116 hp).

Which Volkswagen Taigo version to buy: 1.0 MT, 1.0 DSG, or 1.5 DSG

If the question is which Volkswagen Taigo to choose, the catalogue has one generation (from 1 July 2021, still current), one body (SUV 5-doors), and six versions that share the same names in pairs. The buying decision is not “which generation”: it is which of six petrol, front-drive combinations to pick. Three are labelled 1.0 MT (95 hp, 110 hp, 116 hp). Two are labelled 1.0 DSG (110 hp and 116 hp). One is 1.5 DSG (150 hp). Every version uses FWD, turbo, direct injection (direct), 95 octane, Euro 6, a 40-litre tank, independent spring suspension at both ends, ventilated disc brakes at the front and Disc at the rear. Ground clearance is not measured on any version. Wheel sizes are measured only on the two 116 hp cars: 205/60 R16 and 205/55 R17.

Specs compared: six versions, three names

Compression is 10.5 on every version. Bore × stroke is 74.5 × 76.4 on all 999 cm³ engines and 74.5 × 85.9 on the 1498 cm³ 1.5 DSG.

Engine: what the extra horsepower actually buys

On the 999 cm³ three-cylinder, specific output is 95 hp per litre on 1.0 MT 95 hp, 110 hp per litre on both 110 hp cars, and 116 hp per litre on both 116 hp cars. The four-cylinder 1.5 DSG makes 150 hp from 1498 cm³ — about 100 hp per litre — so it is the strongest car in the line-up, not the most densely tuned engine.

Torque is the clearer split. 1.0 MT 95 hp stops at 175 Nm. Every other 1.0-litre version makes 200 Nm; they differ in when that peak arrives. On 1.0 MT 110 hp and 1.0 DSG 110 hp it is at 2000 rpm. On 1.0 MT 116 hp it is later, at 3500 rpm. On 1.0 DSG 116 hp the 200 Nm band is 2000–3500 rpm. 1.5 DSG is in a different class: 250 Nm from 1500 rpm — 50 Nm more than the 200 Nm 1.0-litre cars and 75 Nm more than 1.0 MT 95 hp.

Cylinder count is the other hardware fork: 3 Inline on all five 1.0-litre versions, 4 Inline only on 1.5 DSG.

Performance: 0–100 and top speed by version

Fastest to 100 km/h is 1.5 DSG at 8.3 s, with a 212 km/h top speed. Slowest is 1.0 MT 95 hp at 11.1 s and 183 km/h. The gap is 2.8 s and 29 km/h.

Among the 1.0-litre manuals, each step up in power is also a step up in speed:

• 1.0 MT 95 hp: 11.1 s, 183 km/h
• 1.0 MT 110 hp: 10.4 s (−0.7 s), 191 km/h (+8 km/h)
• 1.0 MT 116 hp: 9.9 s (−0.5 s vs 110 hp, −1.2 s vs 95 hp), 196 km/h (+5 vs 110 hp, +13 vs 95 hp)

Among the 1.0-litre robots:

• 1.0 DSG 110 hp: 10.9 s, 191 km/h
• 1.0 DSG 116 hp: 10.2 s (−0.7 s), 196 km/h (+5 km/h)

Same 110 hp, different gearbox: 1.0 MT 110 hp is 0.5 s quicker to 100 km/h than 1.0 DSG 110 hp (10.4 vs 10.9). Same 116 hp: 1.0 MT 116 hp is 0.3 s quicker than 1.0 DSG 116 hp (9.9 vs 10.2). Top speed does not change with the gearbox at a given power: 191 km/h on both 110 hp cars, 196 km/h on both 116 hp cars.

1.5 DSG versus the quickest 1.0-litre manual (1.0 MT 116 hp): 1.6 s faster to 100 km/h (8.3 vs 9.9) and 16 km/h more top speed (212 vs 196). Versus 1.0 MT 95 hp: 2.8 s and 29 km/h.

Kerb weight per horsepower (lower is less mass per hp):

• 1.5 DSG: 1229 kg / 150 hp ≈ 8.2 kg/hp
• 1.0 MT 116 hp: 1169 / 116 ≈ 10.1 kg/hp
• 1.0 DSG 116 hp: 1188 / 116 ≈ 10.2 kg/hp
• 1.0 DSG 110 hp: 1185 / 110 ≈ 10.8 kg/hp
• 1.0 MT 110 hp: 1242 / 110 ≈ 11.3 kg/hp
• 1.0 MT 95 hp: 1145 / 95 ≈ 12.1 kg/hp

The 95 hp car is the lightest in kerb weight (1145 kg) and the heaviest per horsepower. The 150 hp car is neither the lightest nor the heaviest kerb (1229 kg; 1.0 MT 110 hp is 1242 kg) but has the best mass-to-power ratio.

MPG and economy: mixed, city, highway, CO2

Tank size is 40 litres on every version. Mixed consumption, where measured:

• 1.0 MT 95 hp: 4.7
• 1.0 MT 110 hp and 1.0 MT 116 hp: 4.8
• 1.0 DSG 110 hp: 4.9
• 1.5 DSG: 5.1
• 1.0 DSG 116 hp: 5.7

City and highway are not measured on 1.0 MT 116 hp and 1.0 DSG 116 hp. On the four versions that do have both figures:

1.0 MT 95 hp is the lowest mixed figure (4.7) and the lowest CO2 (108). 1.0 DSG 116 hp is the highest mixed (5.7) and the highest CO2 (129) — 0.6 above 1.5 DSG (5.1 / 116) despite 34 hp less. The 116 hp pair therefore does not automatically beat the 110 hp pair on economy: 1.0 MT 116 hp matches 1.0 MT 110 hp on mixed (4.8) but its CO2 is 126 versus 109, and city/highway on the 116 hp cars are not measured.

Highway spread among measured versions is 4.0–4.3. City spread is 5.9–6.4. The 150 hp 1.5 DSG is 0.4 mixed above the 95 hp manual (5.1 vs 4.7) and 8 g/km CO2 higher (116 vs 108).

Range arithmetic from the 40-litre tank and mixed figures (litres per 100 km as given): about 851 km on 1.0 MT 95 hp (40 / 4.7 × 100), 833 km on both 1.0 MT 110 hp and 1.0 MT 116 hp, 816 km on 1.0 DSG 110 hp, 784 km on 1.5 DSG, 702 km on 1.0 DSG 116 hp.

Dimensions and weight: kerb, gross, payload, wheels

Ground clearance is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured except on 1.0 MT 116 hp and 1.0 DSG 116 hp (205/60 R16, 205/55 R17).

Lightest kerb: 1.0 MT 95 hp (1145 kg). Heaviest kerb: 1.0 MT 110 hp (1242 kg) — 97 kg more than the 95 hp manual, and 13 kg more than 1.5 DSG. The 110 hp manual is the odd one: it has the smallest payload (458 kg), 77 kg less than 1.0 MT 95 hp and 1.0 DSG 110 hp (both 535 kg). Highest gross weight is 1.5 DSG at 1750 kg.

Same 110 hp: switching from 1.0 MT to 1.0 DSG cuts kerb by 57 kg (1242 → 1185) and raises gross by 20 kg (1700 → 1720), so payload rises from 458 to 535 kg. Same 116 hp: DSG adds 19 kg kerb (1169 → 1188) and 20 kg gross (1700 → 1720); payload stays almost the same (531 vs 532 kg).

Manual vs DSG (robotic): same engine, different gearbox

There is no 95 hp DSG and no 150 hp manual in this generation. The like-for-like pairs are 110 hp and 116 hp.

110 hp — 1.0 MT (6-speed Manual) vs 1.0 DSG (7-speed Robotic) Power and torque match (110 hp / 80 kW, 200 Nm @ 2000). The manual is quicker (10.4 vs 10.9 s), uses less mixed fuel (4.8 vs 4.9), lower CO2 (109 vs 111), lower city (5.9 vs 6.0) and lower highway (4.1 vs 4.2). Top speed is the same (191 km/h). The DSG is 57 kg lighter at the kerb and carries 77 kg more payload. Choose 1.0 MT 110 hp if the numbers you care about are 0–100 and mixed consumption; choose 1.0 DSG 110 hp if you want the 7-speed Robotic and the larger payload.

116 hp — 1.0 MT (6-speed Manual) vs 1.0 DSG (6-speed Robotic) Power matches (116 hp / 85 kW). Torque peak is 200 Nm on both, but the manual quotes 3500 rpm and the DSG quotes 2000–3500 rpm; the DSG also quotes a power band of 5000–5500 rpm instead of 5500. The manual is quicker (9.9 vs 10.2 s). Mixed consumption favours the manual by 0.9 (4.8 vs 5.7). CO2 favours the manual by 3 g/km (126 vs 129). City and highway are not measured on either. Top speed is the same (196 km/h). Both list the same wheels. The DSG is 19 kg heavier at the kerb. On 116 hp the arithmetic does not reward the robot on speed, mixed use, CO2, or weight; the DSG’s case is the 6-speed Robotic itself and the wider torque rpm band.

Gear counts: only 1.0 MT 95 hp is a 5-speed Manual. Both other manuals are 6-speed. The 110 hp and 150 hp robots are 7-speed; the 116 hp robot is 6-speed.

Which version to choose

Buy 1.0 MT 95 hp if the priority is lowest mixed use, lowest CO2, and lowest kerb. It is the only 5-speed, the only 175 Nm engine, the slowest (11.1 s / 183 km/h), and the lightest (1145 kg) with a 535 kg payload. Specific output is 95 hp/L and mass per hp is the worst of the six (≈12.1 kg/hp). You give up 15–55 hp versus the rest of the 1.0-litre line and 55 hp versus 1.5 DSG.

Buy 1.0 MT 110 hp if you want 200 Nm at 2000 rpm and a 6-speed Manual without stepping to 116 hp. Versus 95 hp you gain 15 hp, 25 Nm, 0.7 s, 8 km/h, and one extra gear. Mixed use rises only 0.1 (4.8 vs 4.7) and CO2 by 1 g/km (109 vs 108). The cost in the data is weight: 97 kg more kerb and the smallest payload (458 kg). Versus its DSG twin it is quicker and slightly more economical.

Buy 1.0 MT 116 hp if you want the fastest 1.0-litre car (9.9 s, 196 km/h) and a Manual. Versus 1.0 MT 110 hp you gain 6 hp, 0.5 s, 5 km/h, 73 kg less kerb, and 73 kg more payload, with the same mixed 4.8. Torque peak moves from 2000 to 3500 rpm. City, highway, and ground clearance are not measured; CO2 is 126, 17 g/km above the 110 hp manual. Wheels are listed: 205/60 R16 and 205/55 R17.

Buy 1.0 DSG 110 hp if you want a 7-speed Robotic on the 200 Nm @ 2000 engine. Versus 1.0 MT 110 hp you lose 0.5 s and 0.1 mixed, gain 57 kg less kerb and 77 kg more payload. Versus 1.0 DSG 116 hp you are 0.7 s slower and 5 km/h down, but mixed is 0.8 lower (4.9 vs 5.7) and CO2 is 18 g/km lower (111 vs 129). City and highway are measured here (6.0 / 4.2); they are not measured on the 116 hp DSG.

Buy 1.0 DSG 116 hp only if the 116 hp / 200 Nm band (2000–3500 rpm) plus a 6-speed Robotic is the point. It is not the economy pick: mixed 5.7 and CO2 129 are the worst of the six, including worse mixed than 1.5 DSG. It is 0.3 s slower than 1.0 MT 116 hp. Wheels match that manual. City, highway, and ground clearance are not measured.

Buy 1.5 DSG 150 hp if the numbers that matter are 150 hp, 250 Nm from 1500 rpm, 8.3 s, and 212 km/h. It is the only 1498 cm³, 4 Inline engine and the only 150 hp / 110 kW version. Versus 1.0 MT 116 hp: +34 hp, +50 Nm, −1.6 s, +16 km/h, +60 kg kerb, +50 kg gross, mixed +0.3 (5.1 vs 4.8), CO2 −10 (116 vs 126). Versus 1.0 MT 95 hp: +55 hp, +75 Nm, −2.8 s, +29 km/h, mixed +0.4, CO2 +8. Mass per hp is the best in the catalogue (≈8.2 kg/hp). Payload is 521 kg — 14 kg below the 535 kg of the 95 hp manual and the 110 hp DSG, 63 kg above the 110 hp manual. City 6.4 and highway 4.3 are the highest among versions that publish those figures; they are still only 0.4–0.5 above 1.0 MT 95 hp.

There is only one generation, so there is no “newer generation changed X” decision: all six versions start 1 July 2021 with stop not measured. The choice is power, gearbox, and the measured gaps above — not a restyle or a second generation.