Volkswagen’s Tiguan stands out in the SUV crowd
Volkswagen’s Tiguan stands out in the SUV crowd,
VW’s Tiguan SUV has sold more than 100,000 in the UK since going on sale in 2008.
However, that big-selling model was getting a bit long in the tooth and so VW have unleashed an all-new version that is bigger, safer and better equipped than before.
The latest Tiguan shares the sharp square characteristics of the current VW design philosophy but our R-line test car was particularly striking. Its brilliant white paintwork was complemented by a host of R-line specific styling features, including massive 20-inch alloys, rear spoiler, front air intake and wheel arch extensions. It might be a bit too bling for some but it sure makes an impression.
Along with the styling addons, our top-of-the-range car came loaded with a healthy amount of equipment, supplemented by a generous dig around in the options list. In total, the likes of keyless entry, 12- way adjustable leather seats and the electric tailgate help push the price up to £38,690.
For your money you do get plenty of luxury. The seats are big and comfy and everything in the cabin feels like it has come from the top drawer. Standard equipment includes three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, reversing camera and auto lights and wipers. You also get 4Motion Active Control to switch between drive modes, driver profile select and the excellent 12.3-inch customisable dash display.
The eight-inch Discover navigation/media system is also a cracker. The clear, quick package features a 64GB hard drive, voice control, live traffic, fuel and parking information, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink connectivity.
All in all you’ll want for nothing in the Tiguan R-line.
Our test car was powered by VW’S tried-and-tested 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. Smooth, quiet and powerful enough for most purposes it’s the right engine for this car. Particularly when mated to the super-slick seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4Motion 4x4 system in our car.
On the road the Tiguan has one of the quietest, most soothing drives in the sector. Wind, engine and road noise are a dull whisper in the background, even at high speeds. It’s also fairly fleetfooted, riding flat and fast over country roads.
The only letdown is a ride that starts off as firm and reaches uncomfortable if you encounter the rough surfaces of your average British city street.
Stick to smoother, bigger roads, however, and it’s a great mile-muncher. There’ s plenty of space in the beautifullyappointed cabin and it’s full of helpful little features such as fold-up tables on the seatbacks. Plus, even with the penalties of four-wheel drive and an auto gearbox you’ll still see nearly 50mpg.
There’s also a host of safety features designed to keep you and others safe. Front assist with emergency braking, lane assist, automatic postcollision braking and stability control keep those on board safe while an active bonnet helps protect pedestrians in the event of a collision.
The Tiguan is a high-quality product, good-looking product. It’s brilliantly engineered and built with great materials inside and out. However, that quality is clearly reflected in the price, especially in top-end models like the R-line.
THE CAR IN FACTS ● Price: £38,690 ● Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, diesel ● Power: 148bhp ● Torque: 215lb/ft ● Transmission: Seven-speed DSG automatic driving all four wheels ● 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds ● Top speed: 124mph ● Fuel economy: 49.6mpg combined ● CO2 emissions: 149g/km