Usual top-shelf Volkswagen quality; 1.4-litre supercharged/turbocharged engine a techno triumph
Small boot when rear seats used; bland styling
Volkswagen was a late arrival in the SUV market with the full-size Touareg and in the compact SUV market with the Tiguan. But, as we expect from the German giant, it arrived with gusto, delivering two absolutely brilliant vehicles which rocketed-up the sales charts and scored acclaim in every corner of the globe.
So the arrival of the facelifted Tiguan was important – especially in Australia where the compact SUV is one of Volkswagen Group’s biggest sellers. The freshened Volkswagen Tiguan lived up to expectations and remains a Car Showroom favourite.
Volkswagen Tiguan Overview
Tiguan – Volkswagen’s first compact SUV – has been a hot seller. Family buyers especially appreciate Volkswagen quality and driving dynamics in a more spacious package.
Sometimes called Toaureg’s kid brother, Volkswagen Tiguan is offered in six model grades – Car Showroom tested the entry-level Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI. Priced at $28,490, this version drives the front wheels only via a six-speed manual transmission and features a technologically –superb supercharged and turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine.
Other Volkswagen Tiguans are all-wheel-drive and while unlikely to rival Touareg in the ‘Go-Anywhere’ stakes, reasonable approach and departure angles mean Tiguan will surprise with its prowess off the sealed stuff.
Some other interesting technology hints at ‘dirty’ capability like Tiguan's doors which have low outside seals so even if your car is covered in mud, climbing in an out can be done with soiling your clothes.
Volkswagen Tiguan is popular because it’s good – some say it’s the benchmark in a segment populated with handy, well-equipped vehicles.
Volkswagen Tiguan Engine
The entry-level Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI is blessed with one of the world’s most advanced engines. All this technology delivers two things: performance and reduced fuel consumption. And all this technology is yours for only $28,490 remember.
That technology is a 1.4-litre, four cylinder with turbocharging and supercharging. Given the Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI tested tips the scales at 1493 kgs (more than 200kgs heavier than a Golf) Volkswagen’s engineers went down this route to provide acceptable standing start performance (thanks to the supercharger) and mid-high range acceleration (from the turbocharger) from a small capacity engine.
Maximum power is 118kW at 5800rpm and peak torque of 240Nm is available from 1500rpm. Volkswagen says fuel consumption (combined cycle) is 6.9l/100kms and exhaust C02 emissions are rated at 162g/km.
The Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI drives the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission (all other Tiguan model grades are all-wheel-drive).
Volkswagen Tiguan Interior
There’s a lot of Golf similarities inside the Volkswagen Tiguan – and that’s a good thing because the Golf has one of the world’s best interiors. That means slick German styling and obvious quality materials – but, befitting its status as a compact SUV, things like dials and switches are larger in the Tiguan than the Golf.
Instrumentation too clearly follows the style lead of Volkswagen Golf – Volkswagen’s usual conservative but slick look.
With height adjustment for the drivers’ seat plus rake and reach adjustment for the steering wheel, the usual Volkswagen top-notch driving position is achieved.
Audio in our Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI was a Volkswagen’s MP3/CD player code-numbered RCD310 with Bluetooth and USB connectivity (the six-CD RCD510 is optional).
Rear seats are comfortable although leg-room isn’t the biggest in this league despite 16cm for fore-aft adjustment for the seat itself.
The rear seat split-folds 60/40 but luggage space isn’t a Tiguan strong point – only 395-litres with the rear seat in place or 1510-litres when folded. Other similar ‘crossovers’ like the Hyundai ix35 and Nissan Dualis are similarly restricted by their designs.
Volkswagen Tiguan Exterior & Styling
While not the most adventurous of styling jobs, we quite liked the previous Volkswagen Tiguan, but there’s no doubt the subtle styling changes included in the facelift have given Volkswagen’s compact SUV a more dynamic and purposeful look.
This is most obvious at the front where the new Toaureg-like grille and sporty headlights have delivered a more ‘butch’ appearance.
It’s a similar story at the rear with Volkswagen Tiguan gaining new L-shaped tail-lights again reminiscent of its bigger brother the Touareg.
Volkswagen Tiguan delivers a strong on-road presence which sort of defies its compact dimensions and the large glasshouse delivers good all-round visibility and a light-filled interior.
Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI runs nice 16-inch alloy wheels.
Volkswagen Tiguan On The Road
When it comes to chassis dynamics, Volkswagen is at the front of the pack. From up! to Touareg there isn’t a Volkswagen vehicle lagging in the ride and handling department.
Sure the Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI isn’t a Golf R but over our high-speed mountain roads test loop the Tiguan impressed with nice steering precision, hallmark European taut ride and rapid response to mid-corner adjustments. Definitely the leader of the pack in the twisty stuff.
Around town, Volkswagen Tiguan’s high seating position and simple design make maneuvering easy, although the turning circle is surprisingly large at 12-metres. Nevertheless its compact 4427mm length meant parking wasn’t difficult even in our miniscule CBD car park.
And a special word for the supercharged/turbocharged 1.4-litre, four-cylinder engine. One of the great aspects of the automotive industry is constant technological development and, while the 118TSI is the entry level Volkswagen Tiguan, its powerplant is far from ‘entry’ - a complex and thoroughly impressive way of delivering great performance and fuel economy.
We liked its responsiveness and strong 240Nm of torque. Yet it remained refined even when working hard.
Volkswagen Tiguan Challenges
Family buyers are increasingly looking at ‘crossovers/compact SUVs’ for their convenience. Given that family orientation in this segmen,t we’re perplexed why Volkswagens designers didn’t provide just a bit more luggage space in the Tiguan when you have all seats in place – mind you the same comment applies to some of Tiguan’s rivals.
Volkswagen Tiguan The Competition
BMW’s X1 is for the premium buyers in this league – its starting price of $43,500 eclipses the range-topping Volkswagen Tiguan 155TSI ($42,990). No doubt about the X1’s style and credentials.
From France, Peugeot’s 3008 (from $35,790) is a bit underpowered compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan but its French style is nice and quality is top shelf.
Likewise the freshly-facelifted Renault Koleos – for Car Showroom probably the most stylish interior in this segment.
But is you’re not locked into European cars, there’s a handy list of others…
Starting with Toyota’s hot-selling RAV4 (starting price $28,990). Lots of space and the hallmark Toyota quality.
Dodge Journey is an America seven-seat crossover sharply priced from $37,000. While not quite in the Volkswagen Tiguan league for style and quality, the Journey scores points for its seven seats and 2.7-litre V6 power.
Honda CRV stands out in the value department, starting from $28,090. The good-looking Honda affords a bit more interior space than the Volkswagen Tiguan. Same for Mitsubishi’s ASX (starting price $25,990).
Mazda’s CX-7 is a strong seller in this segment. Starting from $33,990, the CX-7 matches the Volkswagen Tiguan’s on-road poise.
Nissan offers both the Dualis (from $24,990) and X-TRAIL (from $28,490). Both are spacious, practical and nice to drive.
The Hyundai ix35 (starting price $26,990) and Kia Sportage (starting price $26,220) both provide a lot of car for your coin, but aren’t in the Volkswagen Tiguan league for sporty on-road dynamics.
Over-riding all of this are the all-new Ford Kuga and Subaru XV which will arrive in 2012. Scant details so far but they look like contenders.
Volkswagen Tiguan Verdict
Freshly facelifted, the Tiguan is set to continue being a hot-seller for Volkswagen. Our entry-level 118TSI delighted with its superb supercharged/turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, impressive driving dynamics and hallmark Volkswagen quality.
We’re family guys at Car Showroom and life with a Volkswagen Tiguan permanently in our garage would be pleasant indeed.
