TIGUAN WITH A SPACE ODDITY

The family freighter takes seven yet it’s more agile than most five-seaters

H ow come Volkswagen is selling a seven-seat SUV here for less than the sticker on the five-seater version? It’s to do, in a roundabout way, with European buyers getting cleaner, thriftier cars.

For now, you can no longer buy a base model five-seater VW Tiguan 110TSi here — it will return next year (see panel) — and the cheapest is the next grade up, the 132TSi at$42,490.

If you just need a front-drive city shuttle, you can get the entry-level seven-seater Tiguan All space for less than $41K. For review purposes, we’re in the next grade up too.

VALUE

We’re testing the mid-spec Allspace 132TSi Comfortline 4Motion, at $45,490 a $3000 premium over the five-seater Comfortline.

It runs VW’s 2.0-litre turbo (132kW/320Nm) matched exclusively with a seven-speed dualclutch automatic and all-wheel drive.

The Allspace adds 109mm of wheelbase and 215mm of overall length to the five-seater. Structurally, and size-wise, it’s almost identical to subsidiary brand Skoda’s seven-seater Kodiaq, our 2017 Car of the Year.

Comfortline spec includes eight-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto connectivity (with access to voice control), remote operation via smartphone or tablet, navigation, three USB ports, tri-zone aircon (with row two vents and controls), chilled glovebox, LED headlights that illuminate a corner as you turn the wheel, automatic parking and power tailgate.

COMFORT

The ride, on 18-inch wheels, is pretty firm and fidgety in town. The base 110TSi, on 17-inchers and taller tyres, will be more comfortable.

At highway speeds, suspension compliance improves and the 132TSi irons out a rough road calmly and efficiently. The Hankook tyres are exceptionally quiet, too.

You sit deep in the Tiguan, so it can feel bigger and bulkier than it is. Firm, supportive seating is typical VW, there’s handy storage all over the place.

Row two has ample legroom. It’s split 60-40, with each side adjustable, and there are flip up tables on the front seat backs plus a 12V outlet.

VW correctly calls the Allspace a “5+2”, because the two fold-up rear seats are suitable only for young kids or very short trips and access is tight. The larger section of row two is on the kerbside, so it takes some muscle to fold and slide it to let kids in and out of the back stalls.

Fold the third row and the boot extends to almost two metres. With all seats in use, you can still fit a few bags in the back.

SAFETY

Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, braking from 10km/h and under in reverse and lane keeping are standard. Curtain airbags cover all rows. A $1600 option bundles adaptive cruise (with a low speed crawl function), adaptive LED headlights, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

DRIVING

If your usual route of town is via the airport, the 110TSi will do the job just fine, and at $40,990 it’s a bargain. If regular highway drives and/or the occasional dirt road excursion with a full load of people and gear are on the agenda, the 132TSi is worth the extra spend.

VW’s 2.0 is getting on, as evidenced by noticeable turbo lag when moving off from rest, accompanied by the usual momentary hesitation from the transmission. Once rolling, it’s a tractable, refined engine.

Dynamic ability is as good as a seven-seater SUV gets — and the Allspace’s handling is more agile and responsive than most five-seaters thanks to its relatively light 1735kg, the AWD apportioning drive fore and aft, disciplined body control, accurate, well-weighted steering and strong brakes.

HEART SAYS

I know I can’t enjoy a real car any more because I have to carry too many children. At least this one is a pleasure to drive.

HEAD SAYS

I need an extra couple of seats only occasionally, so I can get away with something lighter, more efficient and stylish than a fullsize seven-seater SUV.

ALTERNATIVES HYUNDAI SANTA FE FROM $46,000

Buys the 147kW 2.2 turbo diesel/eight-speed auto/all-wheel drive Active. Big grunt, superb quality and comfort, decent handling and loads of driver assist safety tech. Five years’ warranty.

SKODA KODIAQ 132TSI FROM $42,990

Same as the Tiguan underneath, with Skoda styling and extra standard equipment, including nine airbags, adaptive cruise, leather/Alcantara upholstery, side window blinds, door protectors and 19-inch alloys. Five years’ warranty.