Here’s the opinion of Pieter Crous, our towing expert…

Every time you start the Tiguan and turn it off, the automatic engine-off feature activates. So, when you stop at a traffic light, the engine shuts off automatically. I prefer the engine to stay on, but luckily you can deactivate the system at the push of a button until you start it again. (According to the booklet, you must deactivate the system yourself if the car doesn’t do this automatically while you’re towing. – Ed)

The electronic panel in front of and to the left displays a wealth of information at a glance – from the engine and outside temperature, the distance you can still drive with the remaining fuel, to the digital and analogue speed reading and the direction of any wind. It’s a proper computer on wheels.

The engine is definitely strong enough to effortlessly tow a Jurgens Penta (GVM

1 400 kg). You also can’t find fault with Volkswagen’s DSG automatic gearboxes – they are super smooth. Still, the petrol engine sounds “noisier” than you’d expect, especially when you speed up. Speaking of noise: the brakes do sound a bit gruff.

The ride is also on the harder side, but that’s to be expected, as you have extra load on the suspension due to the caravan, and then this is also the R-line version, which is sportier. That means you have, among other

things, low-profile tyres. The comfortable seat gives plenty compensation, though, and the vehicle is in its element in the turns, of course.

We towed three-quarters of a tonne, but that didn’t hold the Tiguan back at all. On the highway, in normal D mode, the car accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in barely 9,35 s. In S mode, it quickens to 8,25 s, and when you take over the gears, it flashes forwards in 8,16 s.

Its fuel consumption of 13,9 ℓ/100 km also isn’t too bad, considering we were sitting in city traffic for a while. It’s strange that there are only petrol models, because I reckon a diesel version would be even faster.