Buying The Volkswagen Tayron R-Line? Here Are The Top 5 Alternatives You Must Consider!

Volkswagen recently launched its new flagship SUV for India, called the Tayron R-Line at a price of Rs 46.99 Lakh (ex-showroom). However, while it directly competes with full-sized SUVs, this pricing means it straddles quite a few segments. So if you were in the market for it, here is what else you could consider instead of the Tayron, that may not necessarily operate in the same segment:

Skoda Kodiaq 

Price: Rs 39.99 Lakh - Rs 45.96 Lakh (ex-showroom)

The Skoda Kodiaq has till now been one of the most popular options in this segment, especially among urban buyers and those seeking a mature and tech-loaded SUV. Based on the same platform as the Tayron R-Line, the Kodiaq features a more conservative look with boxier elements and sleek lines. 

Its feature-list includes a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, 3-zone climate control, 13-speaker CANTON sound system, dual wireless chargers, ambient lighting, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and powered, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats. Safety-wise it gets 9 airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors. 

The Kodiaq is powered by the same 2-litre turbo-petrol engine as the Tayron R-Line. Here are its detailed specifications:

DCT- Dual Clutch Transmission (automatic)

BYD Sealion 7

Price: Rs 49.40 Lakh - Rs 54.90 Lakh (ex-showroom)

If going all-electric is on your mind, the BYD Sealion 7 also makes an excellent case for itself, while not being much more expensive than the Tayron R-Line. With its excellent range figures, astonishing performance and a high-quality interior it can be a great alternative to the Volkswagen SUV. The Sealion 7 gets a sleek ‘coupe-SUV’ roofline along with sharp elements all around which lend it a sporty feel.

Key feature highlights of the Sealion 7 include dual-zone climate control, 128-colour ambient lighting, panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, a rotatable 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless chargers, 12-speaker sound system, heads-up display, ventilated front seats and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It also gets safety tech such as Level 2 ADAS, 11 airbags, electronic stability control, 360-degree camera, hill hold assist, traction control and front and rear parking sensors.

Underneath, it gets an 82.5 kWh battery with up to 567 km of range. This can be paired to single-motor or dual-motor options. Here are its detailed specifications:

BMW iX1 LWB

Price: Rs 50.90 Lakh (ex-showroom)

When you are this close to the Rs 50 lakh mark, a luxury badge becomes quite tempting and BMW’s iX1 makes for a compelling option. With a competent EV powertrain, proper luxury car feel and the long-wheelbase form, it makes an ideal choice for chauffeur-driven and self-driven buyers alike. It gets classic BMW proportions with the massive ‘kidney-grilles’ up front, an upright side profile with flush door handles and a sharp and aggressive rear end. 

The iX1 gets equipment like a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, panoramic glass roof, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charger, multi-colour ambient lighting, adaptive LED headlamps and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It gets safety features like Level 1 ADAS, 8 airbags, electronic stability control, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, hill hold assist, tyre pressure monitoring system and front and rear parking sensors.

The BMW iX1 is offered with a single powertrain option that includes a 66.4 kWh battery pack delivering up to 531 km of range. These are its figures:

4. Mercedes-Benz GLA

Price: Rs 50.80 Lakh - Rs 53.80 Lakh (ex-showroom)

How can one talk of a luxury car and skip the three-pointed star? Despite having compact proportions and lower power figures, the Mercedes-Benz GLA remains a competent option in this price range. It gets the typically understated and classy design language that you come to expect from a Mercedes-Benz and adds a high-quality interior and mature driving dynamics too. 

The GLA’s feature highlights include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, wireless chargers, panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, 64-colour ambient lighting and power-adjustable front seats with memory.

The GLA gets a choice of 1.3-litre turbo-petrol and 2-litre diesel engine options. Here are their detailed figures:

DCT- Dual-Clutch Transmission 

Toyota Fortuner Legender 

Price: Rs 42.17 Lakh - Rs 47.46 Lakh (ex-showroom)

The Toyota Fortuner has always been a segment-favourite SUV consistently selling thousands of units every month. And while the current generation has started aging, it still offers a true-blue SUV feel with powerful diesel engines, rugged underpinnings and excellent reliability. However, Toyota also sells the more exclusive Legender version of the Fortuner which is the true competitor to the Tayron R-Line. It gets butch proportions, a sleeker front fascia and chunky elements all around for a menacing look. 

Let’s be honest, the feature-list isn’t the Fortuner Legender’s strong point, but it still offers tech like an 11-speaker JBL sound system, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, powered tailgate, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, drive modes and wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. It also gets safety equipment like 7 airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors.

The Legender is powered by 2.7-litre and 2.8-litre diesel engines with the latter also getting an optional mild-hybrid system. Here are the Legender’s detailed specifications:

AT- Automatic Transmission (torque converter)

BONUS

MG Majestor 

Expected Price: Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom)

The newly-unveiled Majestor is another take on the big, burly diesel SUV form factor from MG. Essentially a heavily-reworked Gloster, the Majestor carries an even more extravagant design language with a massive grille dominating the front-end. It still retains the stretched out and tall proportions on the side, while adding more road presence with a connected LED taillamp setup at the rear as well.

The Majestor goes big on features with a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-speaker JBL sound system, 12-way powered and ventilated front seats, powered tailgate, 64-colour ambient lighting, dual wireless chargers and three-zone climate control. Its safety features include 6 airbags, Level 2 ADAS, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring system and front and rear parking sensors

Under the hood, it is powered by a 2-litre twin-turbo diesel engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It also gets an optional four-wheel drive system with three differential locks for better off-road capability. Here are the Majestor’s figures in detail:

Toyota Innova Hycross 

Price: Rs 18.33 Lakh - Rs 32.38 Lakh (ex-showroom)

Although an MPV, the Innova Hycross has lately become the default choice of a large chunk of buyers shopping in this price bracket. Its values of a spacious and practical cabin, with the smooth and fuel-efficient strong-hybrid powertrain and the comfort-oriented package could surely give some heat to the Tayron R-Line. Up front, it gets a large ‘honeycomb’ grille, with a bulky side profile owing to its space-first focus. At the rear too, it keeps things simple with rectangular taillamps and a layered bumper with black cladding. 

The Innova Hycross also gets features such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 9-speaker JBL sound system, ventilated front seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory, dual-zone climate control, powered tailgate, wireless charger and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Safety onboard consists of Level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, hill start assist, 360-degree camera, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, electronic stability control and front and rear parking sensors

Under the hood, the Hycross gets a 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol or 2-litre petrol strong-hybrid powertrain options. Here are their detailed specifications:

CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission 

ZigSays…

The Tayron R-Line is a competent SUV in the segment, but while it may not have many direct rivals, options in the Rs 50 lakh price range are plenty. Family-oriented buyers could gravitate towards the Innova Hycross, while EV converts could bring home the BYD Sealion 7 and BMW iX1. For those desiring a tough and old-school personality, the Fortuner and Majestor too make for great buys. 

If you are interested in the Tayron R-Line, we suggest you look at these options and thoroughly test drive them before finalising, just to ensure the best purchase for you. 

What are your thoughts on these unconventional rivals? Let us know in the comments below!