Fun for the family
Tiguan R is practical ride with a punch
In the mainstream market, sport-utility vehicle and crossover formats have supplanted hatchbacks and sedans in popularity. Volkswagen knows a thing or two about these genres, having released its first SUV nearly two decades ago, the Touareg.
Since then, the range has expanded to include the T-Roc, Taigo, T-Cross and popular Tiguan.
Tiguan is a portmanteau of “tiger” and “iguana“: fearsome creatures, but the actual product is less exotic and more practical in reality.
It is a nameplate that is well established in the market, since release in the year 2007. Tiguan takes the fight to the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai. In terms of range, all the bases are covered, from a regular 1.4 TSI, to a long-wheelbase version with a thirdseating row, as well as a performance-orientated model.
The Tiguan R caters to families who want something a little more exciting than the average SUV.
It was launched earlier this year alongside the Golf 8 R. Coming in at R999,900, Volkswagen hopes the model will sway buyers away from lower-rung versions of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and MercedesBenz GLC-Class. A three-year/warranty and five-year/100,000km maintenance plan is part of the package.
Its two-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged-petrol motor delivers 235kW and 400Nm. It takes slightly longer to hustle to 100km/h than the Golf 8 R, at 5.1 seconds versus 4.8 seconds, which is still not a poor show by any means.
An 18-inch brake system (behind 20