2016 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
What is it? First seen as a concept at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, the original Tiguan compact crossover is finally being replaced by an all-new version, the first in what Volkswagen is promising will be an onslaught of new crossovers and SUVs coming over the next few years.
To be clear, the second-generation Tiguan making its debut in Frankfurt is the European market model. North American buyers will be getting a slightly larger, made-in-Mexico version, in addition to an even larger, American-built, three-row crossover based on the Cross-Blue concept. All three of these new VW SUVs, though, will be derived from the German automaker’s uber-flexible MQB platform, best known for supporting the latest Golf family.
And like the new Golf, the new five-passenger, four-door Euro-Tiguan is lighter than the model it replaces, but is lower in height, and longer than the outgoing version, having a longer wheelbase. The result is a much-needed boost in passenger and cargo space behind the small crossover’s second row of seats.
For now, European Tiguan customers can choose from on-road and off-road versions, a sporty R Line, and the plug-in gas-electric hybrid Tiguan GTE.
Why does it matter? The new Tiguan is the first offering in what will be VW’s long-awaited boost in the number of crossover offerings.
When is it coming? European models go on sale this fall. North
Americans will have to wait about 18 months for our larger version to arrive.
Should you buy it? Few complained that the current Tiguan drove like a taller Golf. But its cosy interior kept compact crossover buyers shopping elsewhere. VW is hoping the new
model fixes that shortcoming.