LATEST VW TIGUAN GETS GROWING
A significant size increase is the major change for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, allowing the compact crossover to offer third-row seating. The extra space puts the Tiguan ahead of segment notables like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 when it comes to seating capacity. Only the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Rogue can say they’re compact SUVs capable of handling seven passengers.
The Tiguan’s exterior is well-proportioned with unique, squared-off styling. I realized the Tiguan’s cavernous interior when I climbed into one of the back seats when my wife wanted to take the Volkswagen for a spin. The second-row seats were comfortable with ample foot and head space and the sliding 40/20/40 split folding seats also reclined. A panoramic sun roof makes the cabin seem even larger and the thirdrow seats, which are flat on the floor, make the section a kids-only zone, but available to adults in a pinch. Folding down the rear seats creates an immense rear cargo area.
A turbo-boosted 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine hustles the compact SUV around town and provides adequate power for passing at highway speeds. Although an eight-speed automatic transmission provides a smooth transfer of power, the size increase catches up with the Volkswagen through tight turns with increased body roll. Slight turbo lag and only 184 horsepower did seem to inhibit the Tiguan
off the line.
My tester, priced at just under $32,000, had Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system with a frontwheel bias that allows the rear wheels to decouple for improved fuel efficiency. The rear wheels engage within fractions of a second when the potential for wheel slip is detected. The system also allows the driver to select several vehicle profiles depending on driving conditions. There are four separate settings: on-road, snow, off-road, and custom off-road. In the custom off-road mode, the driver can alter the steering response, engine and gearbox behavior and engage hill descent assist for modest off-pavement adventures. I averaged 23 miles per gallon in fuel economy during my weeklong evaluation.
The Tiguan’s dashboard was upscale, with an uncomplicated layout. I was happy to see that Volkswagen finally moved its cruise controls from a difficult-to-access steering column stalk to the leather wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. I liked how the off-white leatherette seating surfaces contrasted against the black dashboard, center console and door panels, but I wonder how well the light interior would stand up to abuse.
An 8-inch touch screen integrated into the center console was well-proportioned and I was able to quickly connect my smartphone and access apps through Apple CarPlay. Dual-zone climate control knobs made it easy for the driver and front passenger to dial in the right temperature.
The Tiguan, which is the result of crossing a tiger with an iguana, was the winner of a German auto magazine’s naming contest and starts at $25,195 with front-wheel drive. However, the $500 third-row seating option is only available on the more expensive models with all-wheel drive. I know for my family, the extra seating capacity does come in handy when our kids want to bring their friends along. While I’d like to see Volkswagen offer a larger engine option, the Tiguan is hard to ignore when considering a compact crossover SUV.