Compact Tiguan striking it rich
HEAVIER, slower, more expensive and nowhere near as economical compared with a conventional small hatchback, it would be easy to demonise compact off-roaders such as the Tiguan.
To do so would ignore their long list of virtues.
If you have a family, for example, these are a godsend and even if you don’t, for around the same footprint as a small hatch, a compact 4x4 offers more space, greater practicality, a commanding driving position and the feeling you could at any moment take off and explore the world.
Fair enough, in reality most drivers don’t explore any further than a gravel car park but Volkswagen’s Tiguan has always done just enough to be near the top of the class.
Furthermore we Brits can’t get enough of the small German 4x4 and despite being on sale for more than nine years the Tiguan now outsells the Passat and is the German firm’s third-best seller.
Sporting a classier yet still conservative look, this new Tiguan might easily be confused with its predecessor. But side by side the differences are striking, especially when sitting on the new model’s most imposing 20in wheels.
Inside though is where the biggest changes have been made, more of which later.
The Tiguan has always boasted an efficient range of engines to make up for the lack of excitement and nothing changes here.
Initially there’s a punchy 180bhp 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol and a pair of 2.0-litre turbo-diesels with either 150 or 190bhp.
Later on this summer an entry-level 1.4-litre turbo-petrol joins the line-up that is offered with 125bhp or 150bhp, followed in September by a twin-turbo diesel with an impressive 240bhp.
The best-selling 150bhp diesel unfortunately doesn’t set the world alight with its performance, taking a very average 9.3 seconds to cover the 0 to 60mph sprint and with a 127mph top speed. Average fuel economy is 58.8mpg while it also boasts 125g/km emissions.
If you’re after more pace, then the 2.0-litre petrol is obviously faster (0 to 60mph in 7.7 seconds and 129mph) but thirstier at 38.2mpg.
Available with either front or four-wheel drive, on the road the 150bhp 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is smooth and remarkably quiet – a good fit for the Tiguan, with plenty of pulling power low down in the engine range.
The smooth six-speed manual is also a good match for the diesel but many will prefer to combine the 2.0-litre with the seven-speed twin-clutch automatic – especially if you live in a built-up area.
On the whole the twin-clutch auto does a good job although, versus a regular automatic, it can be a little jerky at slow speeds.
But don’t let that put you off – in