Popular Tiguan gets a revamp
Volkswagen’s Tiguan SUV, has been given a facelift. Nile Bijoux checks out the changes.
The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s bestseller, here and across the world. One is built every 35 seconds to sate demand, and VW has given it a fresh lick of paint and a number of tweaks for 2021. We check them out.
Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?
The Tiguan is still in its second generation, meaning the changes here aren’t major. The most obvious is the interior, which has adopted a similar design as the new Golf 8. There’s the latest MIB-3 infotainment system applied to either an 8.0-inch or 10.0-inch screen (depending on spec), wireless phone projection (for R-Line models), LED headlights, a new steering wheel with haptic touch controls and touch-based airconditioning controls.
Power for the two-wheel-drive models comes from the same engine as in the new Golf 8, a 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder making 110kW/250Nm. Unlike the Golf, it’s paired with a six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox, instead of the newer eightspeed automatic. More on that shortly.
Four-wheel-drive Tiguans can be had in two specs of the 2.0-litre turbo-charged inline-four; the Style offers 132kW/320Nm while the R-Line has 162kW/350Nm. Interestingly, the more powerful of the two uses less fuel, apparently thanks to a stop-start system.
Other changes include small revisions to the exterior styling, with new headlights and tail lights, a new grille and a different rear bumper.
Right now, the 2WD models are the only ones available. The 4WD pair are due next month and July, seven-seater AllSpace models should land around November, and the full-fat Tiguan R should be here by December. Hybrids? Not before 2023.
Where did you drive it?
The new Tiguan was launched alongside the Golf 8 so we took the Tig’ up north to the midday stop near Snells Beach before swapping into the smaller car. Since this is a mild facelift, the actual drive of the Tiguan hasn’t changed much.
The 1.4-litre has been around for a while, as has the DSG, but it’s still surprising how quickly the little engine can get the crossover moving. Peak torque arrives at 1500rpm and the thing only weighs 1400kg, so it hits highway speeds in less than
10 seconds.
That DSG is starting to feel its age, not in quickness but in its lack of ratios. The gaps between cogs are sometimes just enough to pull the engine out of its powerband, resulting in a slightly laggy drive. This is a minor issue, and probably one only applicable to the 2WD Tiguans too. With any luck, VW will drop the new eight-speeder into the Tiguan for its third generation.
Volkswagen’s new interior is nice too, though the Tiguan makes do with a combination of the old and new. It still has the physical knobs on the infotainment screen’s bezels along with the various function touchpads and, although the HVAC system is now touchbased, it’s still a familiar design. It’s nice and easy to use too.
The current range-topper, the R-Line 4WD, is the only model to date to get DCC, and is expected to be the biggest seller. At least, until the fully-fledged Tiguan R arrives.
What’s the pick of the range?
So far, it would be that R-Line 4WD, based on specs. It has pretty much every option box ticked, the most power, uses the least fuel (out of the four-wheel-drive models) and still offers great usability as a small SUV. It’s not that expensive either, at $68,990. The only problem is that pesky Cupra Ateca.
Aside from that, given we haven’t driven it, the pick would have to be the R-Line 2WD, which is still a quality piece of kit.
Why would I buy it?
You’re one of the loyal Tiguan buyers and have no need to try something new. You like the conservative VW styling and the updated interior.
Why wouldn’t I buy it?
You think the pre-facelift model looks a bit better (it does) and the touch controls aren’t for you. Or, you’ve just bought an Ateca.