Volkswagen Tayron R-Line vs Toyota Fortuner: Price, variants, specs

Volkswagen India finally launched the new Volkswagen Tayron R-Line three-row SUV in the Indian market. The new Tayron will sit at the top of Volkswagen’s India lineup and can be seen as a stretched, seven-seat derivative of the Tiguan R-Line, with larger overall dimensions to make room for a third row of seats. The SUV rivals the Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, the upcoming MG Majestor, Jeep Meridian and the Skoda Kodiaq in the Indian market. In this article, let’s compare the new Tayron R-line with the Toyota Fortuner in terms of price, specs, features and more. Volkswagen Tayron R-Line vs Toyota Fortuner: Price, variants The Volkswagen Tayron is offered in a single fully loaded R-line trim in the Indian market and is priced at Rs 46.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Pre-bookings have already begun. Interested customers can reserve the SUV with a pre-booking amount of Rs 51,000 by visiting their nearest VW dealership or online. The Volkswagen Tayron R-Line will be assembled at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) plant. The Toyota Fortuner is offered in three variants - Fortuner 4x2, Fortuner Sigma 4, Fortuner Neo Drive and GR S priced between Rs 34.1 lakh and Rs 49.5 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). The Toyota Fortuner is locally being produced at the company’s plant at Bidadi, Karnataka. Volkswagen Tayron R-Line vs Toyota Fortuner: Dimensions The Volkswagen Tayron R-Line measures 4792 mm in length, 1866 mm in width, 1665 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2789 mm. Ground clearance is rated at 181 mm and has a boot space of 345 litres (with 3 rows up), 850 litres (with folded 3rd row). The Fortuner, on the other hand, measures 4795 mm in length, 1855 mm in width, 1835 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2745 mm. Ground clearance is rated at 225 mm and has a boot space of 296 litres (with 3 rows up), 716 litres (with folded 3rd row). The Volkswagen Tayron R-Line is marginally shorter and wider than the Toyota Fortuner, with a longer wheelbase but lower ground clearance, and it also offers more boot space in both three-row (345 litres vs 296 litres) and two-row (850 litres vs 716 litres) configurations.Volkswagen Tayron R-Line vs Toyota Fortuner: Engine options and 4x4 hardwareComparing engine options next, the Tayron R-Line is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that produces 204 hp and 320 Nm of torque. The engine comes paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which sends power to all four wheels.The Toyota Fortuner also gets a single engine option - a 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo diesel engine with 201 hp of power and 420 nm torque in MT and 500 nm in AT. It gets two gearbox options - a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. This engine also gets a 48V mild-hybrid system that comprises a belt-integrated starter generator and a lithium-ion battery. The Fortuner gets 4x2 or 4x4 variants with five multi-terrain modes. Volkswagen Tayron R-Line vs Toyota Fortuner: Features, safety The Tayron R-line features a large 15-inch touchscreen that is angled towards the driver and controls most of the vehicle’s key functions. While the leather-appointed front seats retain the massage function seen on the Tiguan R-Line, the Tayron replaces seat heating with front-seat ventilation, a feature better suited to Indian conditions. Other highlights include a fully digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, customisable ambient lighting with up to 30 colour options, and Matrix LED lighting technology. Talking about the features in Fortuner, it gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car tech, semi-digital cluster, 8-way power-adjustable and ventilated driver and co-driver seats, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, front parking sensors, ambient lighting, wireless charger and more. Safety-wise, it gets a rear camera with sensors, seven airbags, stability control, ABS with EBD, hill assist control and more.