Is the new Tiguan SUV from VW just a VW Touareg that has shrunk in the wash?
Tiguan is a conventional, smart looking SUV that is well proportioned and a safe bet. However, when compared to the newer competition like Kuga from Ford, Tiguan is more than a little dull and, with prices starting in the high thirties, it's pricey too.
Buyers are conservative and the success of the larger VW Touareg is proof that an exterior doesn’t have to be exciting to attract buyers. In my week in the Tiguan I can’t see why anyone would want the five-seat Touareg ahead of it... okay maybe the massive 5 litre V10 turbo-diesel version and Porsche chassis might be a draw, but not in the real world.
Inside the five-seat Tiguan VW DNA is clearly visible. The dash and materials used are both solid and familiar. The driving position is commanding and the seat and steering variation impressive. The boot is useful if a little high and the when extra space is needed the split rear bench can fold flat. This allowed me to keep a booster seat in place while I brought a dishwasher to be recycled.
The petrol and diesel engine range features the manic 1.4 TSi petrol that comes in two outputs 150bhp or 170bhp. The TSi is pretty nippy and, when provoked, quite a little thirsty. A 2 litre petrol and 2 litre turbo-diesel (140bhp) are available also.
VW has made a name for itself as a master of solid build quality so I was very surprised to have to raise an eyebrow when I found a fault.
I am always reluctant to use air conditioning unless I have to as I find it hard on the eyes and throat after a while but when collecting a car full of kids on a rainy day I had no choice. To my surprise the airflow to the screen was quite weak and when I put the fan to its maximum setting of 4, with the air conditioning on and the heat set to high, I expected a quick screen clear... but I was wrong.
I ‘double checked’ that the airflow dial was directed to the screen; that the air-con/climate control was truly on and that the fan blower was set to maximum. They were, but the screen was still not clearing. After a few minutes I managed to work out that the dial directing airflow was fitted incorrectly (by 180 degrees).
So, in order to clear the screen, I needed to point the airflow indicator to the floor! If I wanted to use the dash vents I had to point the indicator to the ‘screen & floor’ combination and vice versa. The knob itself was not removable by hand (I tried) so this was to my shock and horror a VW build issue!
On the road Tiguan is very comfortable. Tiguan has a nice supple suspension set up that helps the four-wheel-drive manage traffic calming humps with aplomb (whatever that is!). The only downside to the driving experience with the six-speed TSi on test is the fidgety transmission that can make moving off and slow driving tricky to do smoothly compared to say a diesel.
Tiguan is pricey compared to the competition but a bit of a bargain if you want to trade down from a Touareg.
Michael Sheridan
