The 2008 Tiguan was Volkswagen’s first foray into the compact SUV market.
As with the compact MPV, the company was rather slow off the mark in seeing its significance. Life has become a lot less formal.
People want a vehicle which not only makes the whole life-work thing succeed but “says” something about their take on it too (note avoidance of word “lifestyle”).
VW’s larger Touareg (and Porsche Cayenne twin) arrived in 2002. A highly credible 4x4 on/off-road SUV, it soon established itself among the longer standing front runners. Touareg II in 2010 sustained that – ‘Escape’ model at least – with high/low ratio transfer box and a broad range of 4x4 abiilty.
As with the compact MPV, the company was rather slow off the mark in seeing its significance. Life has become a lot less formal.
People want a vehicle which not only makes the whole life-work thing succeed but “says” something about their take on it too (note avoidance of word “lifestyle”).
VW’s larger Touareg (and Porsche Cayenne twin) arrived in 2002. A highly credible 4x4 on/off-road SUV, it soon established itself among the longer standing front runners. Touareg II in 2010 sustained that – ‘Escape’ model at least – with high/low ratio transfer box and a broad range of 4x4 abiilty.
The Tiguan however can lay claim to a bit more ‘heritage’ than that. VW has quite an off-road history. The T3 (1979-1992 and last rear-engined) Transporter - Caravelle included a very sophisticated 4x4. And, of course, there was the rear- engined rear wheel drive Beetle-based Kubelwagen, some versions of which were 4x4 – mainly prototypes. The post-war 1960s revival was again RWD 4x2.
Compact SUV sales growth has been exponential. According to VW over half a million Tiguans had been sold across Europe, Russia, North America, China, Brazil and Australia before the arrival of 2011’s revised model.
To its credit, VW here has kept the ‘fake’ 4x2 (front wheel drive only) layout to just two versions – one petrol and one Diesel. The rest of the range is 4Motion – VW’s name for the Haldex 4WD system.
Apart from the usual S, SE and Sport variants, the latest Tiguan, like its larger Touareg sibling, adds an Escape specification too. This, however, does not run to a transfer box and low ratio gears. It does offer more of a snub nose which gives greater clearance at the front. This and very little rear overhang results in good approach and departure angles.
It also gains bodywork protection for the sills and radiator grille together with underbody protection including a sump guard. The off-road electronic tweaks include hill descent assist, optimised engine speed control when climbing, more precise monitoring of the accelerator (and gear preselect if you go for the auto).
There is also a compass and flat tyre indicator – might as well have all the bad news as you gaze over the edge of that cliff. Don’t go for the automatic: waste of money, last thing you need off-road and manual 6 speed is far better on-road too.
The Tiguan’s based on the Golf so lower-medium sized (as are most in the class) and, again typically, basically a front wheel drive car. But a low pressure torque flow (about 10%) goes to the rear axle all the time which helps the response time when more 4x4 is needed. It’s there even for high speed cornering on a dry road or sharp acceleration when the front wheels would struggle to cope.
The usual ABS and EBD barking systems are here of course aided by EDL (an electronic ‘lock’ on the differential which can be up-graded to XDS) and ASR traction control which with the 4MOTION really does minimise wheel spin.
Last year’s revisions include the new VW “corporate face” and some further tidying-up. Standard equipment on the cheapest includes ‘Climatic’ air-conditioning, DAB radio and 16” alloy wheels. The SE adds 17” alloys, dual-zone aircon and park-assist. Sport brings Bluetooth connectivity, roof rails, “privacy glass” (i.e.tinted windows side & rear), sport suspension (and front seats), etc.
Four of the six engines are new – 1.4 TSI 160; 2.0 TSI 180; 2.0 TSI 210 and (Diesel) 2.0 TDI 110 (FWD only). CO2 results for the 2.0 TDI 140 and 170 are improved – the 140 now one Road Tax band lower. Tiguan sales are around 90% Diesel with 2.0 TDI 140 the clear leader. These two TDIs (and 1.4 TSI 160) also gain the BlueMotion badge which brings stop-start and energy regeneration which eases the alternator’s impact on the engine and improves the CO2 rating.
Ride quality is consistent if a bit firm (like most of its rivals, it’s a tallish FWD car basically). Steering is rather dead and light – footbrake is light too and sharp. But these are minor faults - the latest iteration of the Tiguan impresses with the quality of the cabin and quiet docility and smoothness of the diesel drivetrain.
This is another Volkswagen which feels like a car from a class above. Just as well since the competition is tough: Land Rover Freelander/Range Rover Evoque; Audi Q5/Q3; BMW X3/X1. Not cheap but it competes with these premium brands. A polished product, it has poise and is economical. Used SUV values are strong and the Tiguan’s depreciation should be relatively moderate.
A new Golf is expected in 2013 (A3 Audi sister car late 2012) but it is likely to be some time before the Tiguan is replaced and the Audi SUVs are more recent still
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers Union of Wales.
Compact SUV sales growth has been exponential. According to VW over half a million Tiguans had been sold across Europe, Russia, North America, China, Brazil and Australia before the arrival of 2011’s revised model.
To its credit, VW here has kept the ‘fake’ 4x2 (front wheel drive only) layout to just two versions – one petrol and one Diesel. The rest of the range is 4Motion – VW’s name for the Haldex 4WD system.
Apart from the usual S, SE and Sport variants, the latest Tiguan, like its larger Touareg sibling, adds an Escape specification too. This, however, does not run to a transfer box and low ratio gears. It does offer more of a snub nose which gives greater clearance at the front. This and very little rear overhang results in good approach and departure angles.
It also gains bodywork protection for the sills and radiator grille together with underbody protection including a sump guard. The off-road electronic tweaks include hill descent assist, optimised engine speed control when climbing, more precise monitoring of the accelerator (and gear preselect if you go for the auto).
There is also a compass and flat tyre indicator – might as well have all the bad news as you gaze over the edge of that cliff. Don’t go for the automatic: waste of money, last thing you need off-road and manual 6 speed is far better on-road too.
The Tiguan’s based on the Golf so lower-medium sized (as are most in the class) and, again typically, basically a front wheel drive car. But a low pressure torque flow (about 10%) goes to the rear axle all the time which helps the response time when more 4x4 is needed. It’s there even for high speed cornering on a dry road or sharp acceleration when the front wheels would struggle to cope.
The usual ABS and EBD barking systems are here of course aided by EDL (an electronic ‘lock’ on the differential which can be up-graded to XDS) and ASR traction control which with the 4MOTION really does minimise wheel spin.
Last year’s revisions include the new VW “corporate face” and some further tidying-up. Standard equipment on the cheapest includes ‘Climatic’ air-conditioning, DAB radio and 16” alloy wheels. The SE adds 17” alloys, dual-zone aircon and park-assist. Sport brings Bluetooth connectivity, roof rails, “privacy glass” (i.e.tinted windows side & rear), sport suspension (and front seats), etc.
Four of the six engines are new – 1.4 TSI 160; 2.0 TSI 180; 2.0 TSI 210 and (Diesel) 2.0 TDI 110 (FWD only). CO2 results for the 2.0 TDI 140 and 170 are improved – the 140 now one Road Tax band lower. Tiguan sales are around 90% Diesel with 2.0 TDI 140 the clear leader. These two TDIs (and 1.4 TSI 160) also gain the BlueMotion badge which brings stop-start and energy regeneration which eases the alternator’s impact on the engine and improves the CO2 rating.
Ride quality is consistent if a bit firm (like most of its rivals, it’s a tallish FWD car basically). Steering is rather dead and light – footbrake is light too and sharp. But these are minor faults - the latest iteration of the Tiguan impresses with the quality of the cabin and quiet docility and smoothness of the diesel drivetrain.
This is another Volkswagen which feels like a car from a class above. Just as well since the competition is tough: Land Rover Freelander/Range Rover Evoque; Audi Q5/Q3; BMW X3/X1. Not cheap but it competes with these premium brands. A polished product, it has poise and is economical. Used SUV values are strong and the Tiguan’s depreciation should be relatively moderate.
A new Golf is expected in 2013 (A3 Audi sister car late 2012) but it is likely to be some time before the Tiguan is replaced and the Audi SUVs are more recent still
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers Union of Wales.
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