2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (VW) Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, And Photos
Among crossover SUVs, the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan stands out for its spacious interior鈥攕o long as every seat isn鈥檛 filled in seven-seat versions. The VW Tiguan aces real-world utility with its excellent outward vision, comfortable interior, available active safety gear, and good infotainment system. It鈥檚 less thrifty than some rivals and its third row鈥攚ell, the dog will like it. Overall, we rate the 2019 VW Tiguan at 6.0 out of 10. Notably, that figure doesn鈥檛 account for a safety score since the Tiguan hasn鈥檛 been fully crash tested. Available in S, SE, and SEL trim levels, the Tiguan comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers all-wheel drive as an option. A 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 184 horsepower is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan rides softly, with good composure thanks in part to its 109.8-inch wheelbase. Its steering is quick and light, and it has a confident feel on a curvy road. At 24 mpg combined with all-wheel drive, the Tiguan lags competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, which come closer to 30 mpg combined. Those rivals don鈥檛 offer three rows of seats, although we don鈥檛 consider the third row that鈥檚 standard on front-drive Tiguans and optional with all-wheel drive to be a major asset. The Tiguan鈥檚 front seats are firm and supportive, while row two boasts excellent ingress and egress and a bench that slides forward for more leg room or cargo space. That third row, though. It robs valuable cargo room. Most Tiguans have standard active safety hardware such as automatic emergency braking, and the IIHS has given it a Top Safety Pick award, but the NHTSA hasn't rated the compact crossover yet. 29,000 with all-wheel drive, the Tiguan SE is a lot of crossover for the money.
Q: Do you need to buy anything with the steering wheel to make sure it installs properly? A: All steering wheels require a car specific hub adapter for installation. You cannot install the steering wheel without the hub adapter. Depending on the steering wheel, most use either 6-bolt hubs or 5-bolt hubs. Q: How do you install a steering wheel? A: A steering wheel is installation is a bolt-on procedure once the hub is installed. When your hub is installed there are screws in the center of the steering wheel that attach to the face of the hub. Screw down all the hardware and you will be good to go. Q: Why buy a steering wheel? A: Nothing adds a more dramatic new look to your interior than a custom steering wheel. It gives your car that race feel that really makes driving enjoyable. Q: Can I install an aftermarket steering wheel if my vehicle has an airbag?
The new Mk8 model will doubtless feature a number of timeless GTI design features - it鈥檒l certainly look more muscular appearance than the standard car thanks to red trim pieces, sporty wheels, a new spoiler and chunky twin exhaust tips. There aren鈥檛 any plans to bring back the GTI Cabriolet model, however, so you鈥檒l have to be satisfied with the more practical five-door version. Its interior will be handsomely appointed with plenty of kit - a large infotainment system with sat nav, numerous driver assist features and lots of exclusive GTI trim pieces including chequered cloth seats should all come fitted as standard. The upcoming GTI should produce more power than the current top spec 261hp Clubsport model. Range-topping special editions could pump out as much as 325hp - that鈥檚 more than the current Golf R. This power-hike will come thanks to the addition of a small electric motor and a powerful 48V battery. As standard, the GTI will come with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox - unfortunately, it鈥檚 not known whether the next-generation car will be available with a manual gearbox. It鈥檚 safe to say that the new GTI鈥檚 engine will not only be more powerful but should also more fuel-efficient than the current model, too. Lightweight materials and an updated chassis will aid both performance and fuel economy.
Although Volkswagen is still using the old body for Golf Mk8 test cars, the hatchback will definitely get the company鈥檚 latest design language. We鈥檝e seen it on a range of newly-launched models, including the Arteon sedan that replaced the CC. The Golf will also benefit from a larger front grille, bigger headlamps, and a more aggressive bumper. The GTI package will replace the horizontal slats in the grille with a honeycomb mesh and will add the traditional red stripe on each side of the logo. Our designer also added C-shaped LED lights on the big, black-painted air vents on each side of the lower grille and a heavily sculpted engine hood. Onto the sides, the upcoming Golf shouldn鈥檛 change much, so look for the same traditional hatchback grille. However, it will sport revised mirror caps (likely with a carbon-fiber option), a more muscular beltline, and beefier side skirts. A new set of wheels will round off the look.
The rear section should look very familiar, although Volkswagen will probably redesign the taillights to include new LED lights. More changes will be visible in the bumper, which will gain a new diffuser-like element, hopefully significantly more aggressive than the mundane unit seen on the current GTI. For the first time ever, there will be "Golf" lettering beneath the "VW" badge, similar to the new Arteon. Design aside, the new Golf GTI will be a bit longer and wider than its predecessor. Not only it will give the hatchback a more planted stance, but it will also increase stability and provide a bit more legroom and elbow room inside the cabin. The interior of the upcoming Golf Mk8 remains a mystery with no spy shots to run by, but the latest Polo and Touareg models provide some valuable hints. Although the Golf won鈥檛 be identical to any of the cars mentioned above, it will have similar cues, starting with a much cleaner dashboard with rectangular vents at the corners and in the center stack.
