The VW Tharu XR still lives up to its brand name.
A few days ago we were chatting in the editorial office. Cup of coffee, filled cakes and a lot of automotive questions. Coincidentally, we compared the sales figures of the 80s and 90s with those of today. It will come as no surprise: everything was completely different back then.
One of the things that stood out: an importer sold many more copies per model. That’s not surprising, because there was simply less choice. If you bought a car, you bought an Opel Kadett. You could then get it as a hatchback, sedan, convertible or station wagon. Nowadays, every model range is packed with medium crossovers. At Renault, for example, fortunately the Clio and Mégane Estate are still there, but the Captur, Scénic, Mégane, Arkana, Symbioz, Austral, Rafale and Espace are all crossovers or crossover-like.
VW Tharu XR
But the king of an extremely large number of crossovers in a model range is Volkswagen. They sometimes have no idea what to do, so they develop yet another new crossover. Because why not? This is the latest addition to this blue beauty: the VW Tharu XR!! As you all know, the Volkswagen Tharu is already here. XR is not about the equipment level, but that it is a smaller model. OK. We have heard of a larger model (think of the Allspace), but this is a smaller model.
In terms of positioning: the VW Tharu XR is slightly larger than the Volkswagen T-Cross. We understand that Volkswagen is putting more crossovers on the market: after all, that’s what people want. The disadvantage is that the USP of the Tharu XR is a bit lost on us, because in this segment you already have the T-Cross and T-Roc. Plus the Nivus (which we call Taigo). It’s not that it’s a fundamentally different car either. It is just as uninspired as all other compact crossovers.
Specifications
The Volkswagen Tharu XR is on the MQB A0 platform and shares some technology and structure with the Volkswagen Taigun. If you don’t know it, that is also a compact crossover from Volkswagen. The VW Tharu XR is 4.36 meters long, 1.73 meters wide (without mirrors, of course) and 1.61 meters ‘high’. The wheelbase is 2.65 meters.
Under the hood it is fun, because there are no three-cylinders! A three-cylinder engine is nice in a tiny hatchback, but not in a car like this. It is a constant auditory confirmation that you are cutting back. It’s like eating fries without mayonnaise and salt, because that’s cheaper but more tasteless. With the Tharu XR you can choose from a 1.5 liter four-cylinder without or with turbo. Of course you want the latter, because it delivers 160 hp and 250 Nm. All Tharu XRs have front-wheel drive.
Is there also good news? Of course! We Dutch are spared the Volkswagen Tharu XR. The VW Tharu XR is built by SAIC-Volkswagen in the People’s Republic of China and costs the equivalent of 14,884 euros. Look, that’s a real Volkswagen! Keep in mind that these cars look like modern Volkswagens, but underneath they are often a full generation older. So in terms of refinement, comfort, safety and emissions you cannot compare it with what is available at the dealers in the Netherlands.
Read more? These three compact VW crossovers now cost almost the same!
Comments
-
Battery licker say
The Tharu XR is a special model for cleaning the A12 near The Hague or the A10 near the former ING office on Saturdays.
