The long wait is over as Volkswagen Philippines officially launched the 2024 Volkswagen Tharu on Sept. 29, 2023 in Alabang.

The new model comes after a two-year wait, as the last new vehicle that the company launched locally was the Volkswagen T-Cross in 2021.

While the German brand did debut the Volkswagen Cross Santana on February 2023, it was essentially a kitted-out version of the regular Santana GTS wagon.

What started as several teaser images has finally solidified into the real thing, with two Tharu variants both sporting turbocharged power.

Exterior: The Volkswagen corporate styling

If you take a close look at the Volkswagen vehicle lineup, you will see that all models carry the brand’s clean corporate design language.

It isn’t loud or too in your face about its styling, but it will likely remain timeless. 

The Tharu takes this design philosophy and gives you a crossover with a wide horizontal grille and large LED headlights that look similar to the T-Cross, but come with a dual-layer layout instead. 

The top-trim SEL variant even comes with an LED light strip on the grille, which connects both DRLs to distinguish its stature in the Tharu lineup.

It also has massive 18-inch alloy wheels, which come with removable plastic accents for the top-spec SEL model. It's a rather odd addition to the crossover, but it's a unique one nonetheless.

Interior: Minimalist styling, two large displays

Inside, the Volkswagen Tharu gives you premium and clean styling with a horizontally laid out dashboard with a silver accent in the middle that extends to the door cards of the crossover.

Soft-to-the-touch leather panels on the dashboard lined with authentic stitching further accentuate the premium direction of the cabin.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tharu also comes with leather seats for both of its available variants with 12-way power adjustability, which is a first in its segment. 

To add to this, it also comes with dual-zone climate controls with a rear vent for the passengers. A haptic touch panel controls the ventilation inside the cabin.

Regarding technology, it is equipped with two 8-inch displays for the lower variant, with one being the digital instrument cluster and the other being an infotainment system.

For the top-spec variant, there is a 10.25-inch digital display for the gauge cluster and a 12-inch screen for its infotainment system.

Both variants have access to Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Sadly, there is no Android Auto available, which puts Android phone users at a disadvantage.

Power and chassis

Under the hood, the Volkswagen Tharu is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 160 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

Power is sent to the front wheels via the brand’s 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. The engine also comes with Volkswagen's Bluemotion Technology, a start-stop system that aims to reduce fuel consumption.

Regarding its chassis, the Volkswagen crossover rides on MacPherson independent suspension at the front and four-link independent suspension set up at the back. Stopping power comes from ventilated discs at the front and rear.

Safety

As for its safety features, the Volkswagen Tharu carries the segment’s standard lineup of equipment, which includes:

• Driver and front passenger airbags
• Front side airbags
• Front and rear curtain airbags
• Electronic stability program
• Anti-lock brake system
• Hill Hold Control
• Traction Control System
• Anti Slip Regulation
• Area view camera
• Intelligent park assist system

Volkswagen Philippines said Tharu units with active-safety assists will be brought to the Philippines soon.

Pricing

The Volkswagen Tharu is available in two variants, which have been repriced as follows:

• 300 TSI DSG SE – ₱1,808,000
• 300 TSI DSG SEL – ₱1,945,000

It's also available in four color options: Pure White, Mangan Grey, Petroleum Blue and Polytech Blue. The interior colors will differ depending on the exterior colors chosen, but you can expect them to be either Deep Blue/Copper or Deep Blue/Red.

Do you think Volkswagen has a fighting chance with its new Tharu?

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