2020 TIGUAN TEMPTS
Volkswagen's deft design, handling and balance of ride has the bonus of third-row seating
The Tiguan, named by blending the words “tiger” and “iguana,” is one of the few so-called tweenies that bridge the gap between the compact and mid-size crossover segments — it's large for a compact, but a little shy of being a true midsizer. This is underscored by the fact it's one of the few in the segment to offer three rows of seating.
The resulting package is remarkably roomy. There's plenty of space in the middle row, and the seats are fairly easy to move out of the way for access to the third row — which is on the tight side for adults, but works for kids and certainly beats walking in the snow! Cargo space ranges from 340 litres behind the third row to 1,860 when everything is folded.
The front half of the cabin is a cut above class standards.
The materials are off the top shelf, and the seats and driving position are comfortable. The infotainment system follows this lead, and is one of the easiest to use in the segment. The eightinch touch screen (lesser trim levels get a smallish 6.5-inch display) makes good use of the available area by hiding most of the
icons along the lower edge until a hand reaches for the screen. The visual clutter is reduced, so the map is that much larger.
The combination of quality materials and smart ergonomics sets Tiguan apart from much of the competition, and the chic blue seating on this particular tester add to a sense of posh.
The Iq.drive trim tested here ($37,670 to start, $38,430 as tested) was a special edition for 2020. For 2021, it will be replaced by the $37,145 United special edition. Both are similarly equipped and focus on delivering more features for
minimal added cost. The key is the level of standard equipment, including safety assistants such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, in addition to GPS navigation and a power panoramic moonroof.
The Tiguan arrives with a 2.0-litre turbo-four making 184 horsepower and 221 poundfeet of torque. It drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The combination works well; there's minimal turbo lag off the line and the transmission is quick to shift when Sport mode is engaged, but the lack of paddle shifters is disappointing. Also, when Comfort mode is selected, the transmission tends to be slow to downshift at times, leading to a slightly sluggish feel overall, surely a result of the quest for better fuel economy.
The other nit has to do with the terrain/drive mode selector. The console-mounted rotary dial gives fast and easy access to the terrain modes — Snow, On-road, Off-road and Off-road Custom. Accessing the drive modes requires pressing the centre of the controller, which then brings up Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom modes on the infotainment screen. It then requires more button taps to select each of drive modes. To me, the setup is backward — the ability to flip quickly between Normal and Sport driving modes is far more useful than picking one of the off-road functions, given few will likely exercise this option.
On road, the Tiguan isn't fastest in the segment, taking 8.1 seconds to run to 100 km/h. The good news is it still feels remarkably sporty. The key is the early entry of torque — with all 221 lb-ft turning up at 1,600 rpm, the mid-range is strong and passing a slower vehicle is simple.
Another plus is the Tiguan's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, which uses an electro-hydraulic coupling to send power where it's needed at the right time. Under normal driving conditions, it sends 90 per cent of the power to the front wheels and 10 to the rear. It constantly monitors for the first signs of slippage, and redirects the power quickly to the wheels with the best grip. During our test, it dispensed with wheelspin quickly, greatly adding to the sense of security on some slippery and snowy roads.
The Tiguan also balances ride comfort and body control nicely. The compliant nature of the suspension soaks up most road irregularities without allowing the body to lean over when pushed into a corner. The steering is nicely weighted and easy to swing from lock-to-lock in a tight parking area, and delivers lots of on-centre feel and the needed feedback when the road twists.
The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is comfortable and has lots of space. For a family that needs occasional third-row seating, the Tiguan is one of the few — and certainly smarter — choices.