Running reports
Tiguan SEL 2.0 TSI 4MOTION DSG
Updates on our fleet of vans and tow cars
Tested by Alastair Clements Price £33,015 Kerbweight 1645-1862kg Towing limit 2500kg Towball limit 100kg
IN A NUTSHELL Is a modern petrol a viable alternative to diesel?
REGULAR READERS WILL know this is part two of a backto-back long-term test.
For the past three months, we’ve enjoyed the performance of a 190PS Tiguan 2.0 TDI, but now it has been replaced by this 180PS petrol version.
In sporty R-line spec, we found the suspension of our Tiguan hard, but this SEL’S smaller wheels – assisted by the £810 option of Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) – result in a brilliant ride, aided still further by the very comfortable seats, part of a superb interior.
Impressively, again thanks to the adaptive dampers of the DCC system, it’s an entertaining drive when you want it to be, particularly in Sport mode, when the car seems to stiffen up and change direction with real agility for an SUV.
That high-revving 2.0-litre petrol engine really encourages you to press on, sounding rorty and kept in optimum rev range by the quick-shifting sevenspeed DSG gearbox.
We think it looks great, too, particularly in its fetching Habanero Orange paintwork with graphite-grey alloys – although someone clearly disagrees, because that immaculate paintwork picked up a deep, deliberate scratch on the day we took delivery. There’s no accounting for taste – but sadly, our accountant will take issue with the repair bill…
Hang on a minute, isn’t this supposed to be about towing? Well, yes, and the Tiguan continues to acquit itself well here. VW quotes a weight range for this model, which means an 85% match starting from 1398kg, and matched to our long-term Bailey Pursuit 570-6, it felt composed and stable. Some testers have recorded shimmy when pulling heavier vans – for our David Motton’s full verdict turn to p82 – but in still air we’re impressed. And that feeling hasn’t been dimmed by swapping diesel for petrol: it’s true the petrol uses more revs to get up to speed, but this turbocharged unit has some impressive mid-range muscle that’s more than capable of hauling a sensibly matched caravan.
Don’t miss Motty’s more scientific petrol vs diesel back-toback in next month’s magazine!