Pieter says
You have to hand it to Volkswagen: Their vehicles really are sophisticated. It’s like instead of a new car I have to learn how to work a computer, because almost everything is electronic. The electronic navigation screen in the centre console is extra-large, and you don’t even have to touch the screen to change settings. You can hover your hand above it and it will detect the movement. An icon in the dashboard turns on when you use the indicators, to show that the caravan’s lights are working. You can move the steering wheel towards you or away. And while you might think that would be done electrically, you’d be wrong: you have to do it by hand. The seat is quite firm where I prefer softer, but it’s not uncomfortable. The engine doesn’t struggle with the weight on the hitch. It’s very alert, and you’re not even aware of the caravan. It’s definitely
strong enough, and together with the DSG transmission you couldn’t ask for a nimbler combination. You also don’t expect such high torque on this size petrol engine – for example, if you just touch the paddle shift it changes gear immediately. Purely for the sake of the test I pushed it to 140 km/h, and I still didn’t feel the caravan. The Tiguan is nice and low on the road, and the vertical movements at the hitch are minimal, so there is no sway on the wheels. The Allspace’s suspension is hard, but it’s not an uncomfortable ride. Coupled with this, it’s almost as if the steering wheel turns too easily at a low speed – you can actually turn it with your pinky finger. The steering works with an electromechanical system that tightens as you go faster. The Tiguan clings to the road in bends, and because of the slightly stiff suspension there’s almost no body roll. I like the virtual screen that appears in front of you so you can check your speed in the windscreen. It’s remarkable. I’m not a Volkswagen guy, but every time I get into one I’m impressed.