On paper, the Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t appear to have a lot changed from its predecessor. It retains the same name, it’s still a mid-measurement SUV or crossover, and it nonetheless comes with a familiar line-up of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. The reality, although, is that it’s solely different to the older, smaller and cheaper-feeling Tiguan. It’s practically a premium product now with a sensible new look and an inside that’s roomier than earlier than, and it offers virtually nothing away to Audi in its perceived high quality. You can get a Tiguan with four-wheel drive and terrain-response methods, however really it’s nonetheless for the road, not the mud. Big, classy, beautifully made, and soothing to drive, the Tiguan ought to be virtually a default choice when it comes to picking a medium SUV. It’s ok to present more prestigious rivals such because the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 a good kicking, and even to make you wonder at the wisdom of upgrading to the likes of a Q5. The cabin is understatedly gorgeous, the driving expertise solidly competent (albeit not big enjoyable), and the petrol versions present a severe alternative to the default diesel.
The Tiguan’s solely actual weakness is that each the closely-associated Seat Ateca and Skoda Kodiaq are equally pretty much as good, but more reasonably priced. In the present Volkswagen idiom, the Tiguan isn't probably the most dramatic-trying automobile in its class. There are others, notably the Renault Kadjar and even the Kia Sportage, which can be arguably extra striking to take a look at. But the Tiguan has a quiet, subtle classiness which actually grows on you with time. Admittedly, you might accuse it of being a touch bland in some trims and from some angles, and the rear styling is simply too much like that of other Volkswagen Group products for consolation. It’s true too that to see the Tiguan at its fashionable best, you actually do have to upgrade to the chunky R-Line version with its sporty physique kit - and that’s not low cost. But the Tiguan is a gradual burner. Image-smart, it ought to be an open purpose for Volkswagen. After all, here is a brand which has been artfully carving out a desirable, simply-quick-of-premium area of interest for itself and there is little to argue with the point that the badge is both classy and classless.
It stays to be seen how a lot the fallout from Volkswagen’s diesel emissions indiscretion will have an effect on that image, although the fact that Volkswagen’s sales have continued to rise means that the impact might be minimal. Volkswagen has in recent years shown itself to have realized from its personal pupil, Audi, and has become a grasp of the quietly gorgeous car interior. As with most different Volkswagen merchandise, it’s neither showy nor attention-grabbing (even for those who spec it with the non-obligatory Active Info Display digital instruments and the most important of the touchscreens), but it is vitally spectacular. Fit and end are pretty much beyond reproach. While you may accuse it of being somewhat predictable (there’s a lot in right here that’s familiar if you’ve pushed a recent Golf or Touran), its components are nonetheless smoothly purposeful and well made. Shove an inquisitive hand or solid an inquisitive eye lower down the dashboard or doors and you will see cheaper castes of plastic being used, however mostlyl the cabin structure, design and quality are past criticism.
Comfort is excellent, and while the Tiguan does endure from excess tyre noise, refinement is sweet so long as you steer clear of coarse motorway surfaces. The Tiguan has merely excellent practicality. Slide the rear bench forwards and you may entry as much as 615 litres of boot quantity, more even than within the bigger Honda CR-V which many regard as essentially the most sensible car in the category. Ok, you’re compromising rear legroom by doing that and your passengers won’t thank you, however even with the again seat in person-pleasant mode, the boot is more than adequate for most household wants. Rear house, net of that seat adjustment, can be excellent and the Tiguan has a number of storage bins and stowage spaces up front. The more you utilize the interior, the more you may see that somebody has actually put hours of thought into how it’s all going to work. Fold the rear seats flat (and they fold 40:20:40, which is more versatile than most) and you’ve got as much as 1655 litres to play with.
Finally, that rear bench is just about large enough to take three child car seats aspect-by-aspect (although there are only two ISOFIX factors) so the Tiguan is a great alternative for household consumers. The Tiguan was used as the launch automobile for a lot of Volkswagen’s latest-generation of in-automobile infotainment and connectivity systems. So, by including some choices, you can convert this humble family SUV into one of the crucial technically advanced automobiles on the road. There are different excessive-tech options together with a head-up show, the Active Info Display digital instrument pack, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 400-watt Dynaudio stereo, and touchscreen sizes of as much as eight inches. The Tiguan could be very pleasant to drive, but it’s no drivers’ software and it does little to really have interaction the senses. The petrol engine choices make for surprisingly good selections when it comes to purchasing a Tiguan, so that you don’t need to default to diesel. The 1.4 150hp TSI turbo petrol, which comes with active cylinder deactivation (shutting down gasoline to half the engine underneath a gentle throttle load), might be the choose of the whole range.
