New Volkswagen Tiguan review
The Volkswagen Tiguan - can drive through water and everything
Author: David Miles
Published: 31 January 2008
Like it or not the SUV or 4x4 market in the UK keeps on growing, in particular the middle, or compact sector of it.
So Volkswagen’s UK dealers are going to be pretty happy they now have the Tiguan to offer their customers rather than loose them to Honda, Land Rover, Toyota, Vauxhall, Suzuki or the emerging brands such as Kia, Hyundai and Chevrolet.
Bear in mind Volkswagen is the third largest selling brand in the UK behind Ford and Vauxhall, selling over 194,000 new vehicles last year so to have a compact SUV now in their line-up is vitally important.
The Tiguan is based on the Volkswagen Golf Plus, a high roof five-door hatchback and the mid-sized Touran MPV so its on-road driving credentials are assured.
Combine those with VW’s proven 4Motion all wheel drive system, which in normal mode drives the front wheels but as and when needed transfers power to the rear axle as well, and the Tiguan looks be a creditable SUV.
Styling and dimensions
With an overall length of 4,427mm (Escape versions 4,457mm), a width of 1,809 and a height of 1,686mm with seating space for four adults, five at a squeeze, the Tiguan passes itself off as a compact vehicle.
It is no longer than a popular sized five-door hatchback and its conservative exterior styling doesn’t shout ‘4x4 off-roader’ at you so you are unlikely to attract adverse attention from the anti-4x4 lobby.
Unlike the Freelander, Honda CR-V and RAV4 it looks understated even though the styling resembles a scaled- down version of VW ´s big Touareg off-roader.
The newcomer does what it says on the packet. It is the right size for most people, young couples to young families to older couples. The styling is clean and pleasant, it has the usual rising waistline giving the wedge effect to the side profile and the rear row of seats are mounted slightly higher in the vehicle than the front ones so visibility for rear passengers is good.
Interior
The rear seats have a 60/40 fold-down split and they slide backwards into the load space to increase rear seat legroom. Under the rear load floor is a segmented tray for out of site storage which means the load floor is a little high and care is needed loading heavy items into the rear of the vehicle.
Perhaps there could also be more elbowroom. Of its three main competitors the Tiguan is the narrowest in this area however it does score with most front legroom and the longest load area with the rear seats folded down.
The interior is conservatively styled and lacking in character but it is well made, well equipped and all the controls are logically placed and easy to use. The Tiguan will certainly be user-friendly and well up to coping with family life and wear and tear.
The SE specification is pretty comprehensive and would seem to be the best choice. The level of standard fit safety features is first class.
Driving and handling
The Tiguan scores well where it matters and one of those areas is on-road driveability. It is certainly the most capable of its type on tarmac and it handles more or less the same as a large family hatchback or MPV.
The suspension is compliant and absorbs potholes and bumps with ease, no harsh jolts as with some SUVs but I would stay away from Sport versions which has a firmer suspension and bigger alloy road wheels so the ride comfort will be compromised.
The road holding is first class and the vehicle proved to be pretty agile, both on and off road. The 4Motion system gives enough grip to cope with some pretty tricky muddy off-road driving and the Escape variants have added underbody protection and a shorter front overhang to assist with such conditions.
All the driver has to do is push the off-road button and a computer takes over the traction distribution to all four wheels, adjusts the throttle settings, applies hill-descent and climb control when needed and adjusts the anti-lock braking.
Specification and engines
All clever stuff but I’m not sure why VW feel there is the need for a Tiguan Escape version with added off road facilities. It adds complexity to the range and you can bet a customer will want the model the dealer doesn’t have readily available in stock. However the off-road mode function can be ordered as an extra cost option for £100.
With regard to the two initial engine options. The award winning 1.4-litre TSI direct injection petrol engine with its supercharger/turbocharger dual system is a real gem. It is free revving and responsive and provides 152PS of power but more importantly for a small petrol engine lots of torque, 240Nm from just 1,750rpm.
Top speed is 119mph, 0-62mph takes9.3 seconds, CO2 emissions are 199g/km and the official combined fuel economy is 33.6mpg. Whilst this engine impresses for responsiveness and performance, the fuel consumption during testing this week in typical commuter traffic returned only 24.9mpg.
The commonsense option is the new 2.0-litre TDI common rail turbodiesel unit, as used in the new Audi A4. This has 140PS of power and 320Nm of torque from 1,750rpm. It is strong performer and copes with driving all four wheels without being fuel-thirsty.
Top speed is 115mph with 0-62mph taking 10.5 seconds with its six-speed manual gearbox. The excellent automatic transmission model with the same engine, my choice version, has an 113mph top speed and 0-62mph takes 10.7 seconds.
The official average fuel economy is 39.2mpg (manual) and 37.7mpg auto with CO2 emissions of 189 and199g/km respectively. On test in exactly the same traffic conditions as the petrol engine, the 2.0-diesel model returned 35.9mpg with its slick to use six-speed gearbox and 33.8mpg with the automatic transmission.
All current models fall into the vehicle excise duty Band F with annual road tax bill of £205.
MILESTONES
Volkswagen Tiguan SE 2.0-litre TDI 4Motion, manual transmission (likely best selling model)
Price: £21,800
Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, common rail turbodiesel, 140PS, 320Nm from 1,750rpm, 6-speed manual, 4Motion all wheel drive
Performance: 115mph, 0-62mph 10.5 seconds, 39.2mpg (35.9mpg actual), CO2 189g/km, VED Band F £205
Company car tax liability: 27%
Insurance group: 9
Braked towing capacity: 2,200kg
For: Right size, attractive under-stated exterior styling, excellent ride comfort and road holding, good equipment levels, reasonable pricing but must-have options will add greatly to the price
Against: Conservative interior styling, high load floor
Volkswagen’s Tiguan compact SUV and Phaeton luxury saloon have scooped top honours at the British Insurance Car Security Awards
All-new Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0-litre TDI compact SUV is blessed with both power and economy for £22,670.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is available to buy now in the UK, with prices starting from £19,370.
Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV goes on sale in the UK promising high levels of interior space, comfort and specification.
New Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line design study hints at forthcoming range-topper for the new Tiguan range due in 2008.
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