Car Review: Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan has always been a car that I have recommended to friends and family who were looking in the compact SUV segment. It is a saturated segment and there are so many great cars on offer, in fact, the Hyundai Tucson just took the crown in the Women on Wheels Car of the Year awards. But the new Tiguan had not yet launched at the time of the awards. Would it have made a difference to the outcome? It’s hard to say but I think I know in which direction my vote would have gone.
The original Volkswagen Tiguan launched back in 2007, we got it in South Africa in 2008. Since its global launch, more than 2.3 million units have been sold, 19 000 locally. And for good reason, it was (and is) a good car. The only problem it had was that it wasn’t as pleasing on the eye as some of its competitors. And it could have done with a bit more interior space. Volkswagen took note of these issues and it sure is evident when looking at the new Tiguan!
Just look at this car! Isn’t it handsome? It’s now got some serious sex appeal! It’s got that wider stance with a wide grille, a high waist line, flared wheel arches, integrated door handles and what the industry like to call, strong shoulders. Basically, it looks flipping great! It is certainly one of the best looking in the segment…and you would never have said that about the previous model.
Is it just me or do you see a little BMW X5 at this angle?
Climb inside and you will feel right at home. It is familiar Volkswagen and you could be mistaken to think you are sitting inside the Golf. But that’s a really good thing. This interior feels more premium than its predecessor and materials used are great. It feels far more spacious too! In fact, whenever I drove the older Tiguan I just felt like I was in a raised Golf, but this new ones feels a bit more of its own car. It feel as if it has matured. And thankfully the space is generous, even in the rear. The boot is now a far more spacious 520-litres.
The new Volkswagen Tiguan comes with a host of standard features that one would expect at this level, but it adds a few more as well. In fact, standard spec is excellent. As is typical with Volkswagen, there are a host of optional extras to choose from as well. You can have an electric tailgate which is always handy when your hands are full of shopping parcels, adaptive cruise control is always a winner on those long road trips and of course a panoramic sunroof is a nice-have for some (not me, I hate a sunroof! But that’s just me).
At this point there are two engines available namely the 1,4-litre 92 kW engine and the 1,4-litre 110 kW, both available in three trim levels; Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. You can also opt for the R-Line package which adds things like sport suspension and 19-inch grey metallic wheels.
Next year we will see the three diesel engine options arrive as well as the top of the range 2,0-litre 162 kW engine. But the 1,4-litre 110 kW is more than sufficient. You would be forgiven for thinking you are driving something with a bigger engine capacity. The DSG transmission is as slick as always and it really is just a pleasure to drive.
I will continue to recommend this car to friends and family and it would certainly be a contender if I was in the market for a compact SUV. I have always enjoyed the ride and drive of the VolkswagenTiguan but now I love the looks as well. It is a little bit pricier than some of its rivals but that can be expected from Volkswagen. However, like mentioned, standard spec is good and you will be driving one of the best looking compact SUVs on the market!
PRICING FOR THE NEW VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
- 1.4 TSI 92kW Trendline Manual R378 000
- 1.4 TSI 92kW Comfortline Manual R419 000
- 1.4 TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG R457 680
The new Tiguan comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000 km.