VW TIGUAN ALLSPACE

Prototype version of new seven-seater compact SUV also heads on road and off

VOLKSWAGEN’S Tiguan SUV is set to become more of a rival for the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Nissan X-trail when a sevenseat version arrives next summer. It’s called the Tiguan Allspace, and we’ll see it first when it gets its world debut at next month’s Detroit Motor Show, but Auto Express was able to drive pre-production versions on the dirt tracks of the Kalahari.

There was very little disguise on the cars we drove so it was difficult to distinguish the Allspace from the standard Tiguans also on test; just a longer rear door marked it out. And that’s because 110mm of the 220mm extra length of the Allspace sits between the wheels, with the rest added to the rear overhang.

Not much else has changed with the car; you get the same dashboard, probably the same range of engines and the same driving experience. It’s comfortable, refined and unexciting, although the Tiguan impressed when being driven swiftly over some pretty rocky Kalaharan gravel tracks.

Things are pretty normal in the back seat, but it now slides forward to give those in the third row more legroom. And they’ll need it; space in seats six and seven is limited, making the rearmost row only really suitable for small children or adults of well below average height. Anyone else will have to sit with knees slanted and head bowed.

It’s a shame really, because getting into the very back of the Allspace is easy with a wide sill to step on to and the middle seat sliding well out of the way. And, of course, there’s a decent amount of space in the boot when the back seats are folded into the floor.

At least the Allspace gives the Tiguan something smarter (and cheaper) SUVS like the SEAT Ateca and Peugeot 3008 don’t have; the ability to add a couple of friends on the school run.

And compared with seven-seat rivals, prices shouldn’t be too bad – again subject to exchange rates – with a starting point expected just under €30,000 (£25,000).