Volkswagen Tiguan joins local line-up priced from $31,990

Volkswagen’s all-new second-generation Tiguan SUV steps up a size category, and will arrive with a slight price increase to match, when it goes on sale in Australia this September.

The extensive three-tiered, five-engine range offers consumers seven different options with the base-level Tiguan starting at $31,990. According to Volkswagen, this price tag is actually $2000 less expensive than the first-generation equivalent was at the time of its 2008 launch. And while it’s a fact that may be true, it’s one with questionable relevance considering the current model is priced between $28,990 and $44,990.

The second-gen Tiguan models will all gain the latest Apple and Android-savvy 8.0-inch infotainment system, electronic parking and lane assistance as well as rain-sensing wipers as standard fitment, with the level of equipment increasing in accordance with the pricing scale.

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The first tier is the front-wheel drive Trendline 110TSI, which consists of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox matched to the same 1.4-litre turbo-petrol 110kW/250Nm engine. The auto option demands a $2500 premium, pushing the price to $34,490.

Next in the line-up are three variants of the all-wheel drive Comfortline. Kicking off the mid-level series is the six-speed DSG petrol 110TSI series which starts at $36,990, followed by two seven-speed DSG options; a 2.0-litre 110kW/340Nm diesel powered 110TDI or a slightly more powerful 132TSI packing a 2.0-litre 132kW/320Nm petrol engine. All three variants come with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive. The 132TSI will set you back $41,490, while the 110TDI is yours for $42,990.

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Rounding out the range are the Highline all-wheel drive models; both boasting seven-speed DSG transmission with the choice coming down to a petrol or diesel engine – both of which offer the highest power and torque outputs in the range. The 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrol option comes with a $48,490 price tag while the range-topping 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre diesel carries a retail price of $49,990.

If a choice of seven vehicles isn’t enough, the firm is also offering model-specific packages to further customise the car. The Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control; rear traffic alert; a digital instrument cluster and 360-degree camera) is offered for either the Comfortline ($2250) or Highline ($2000) models. Also available for the Comfortline is a $5000 Luxury package, featuring leather trim; electric tailgate; heated front seats; keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof. Priced at $4000, Highline buyers have the option of an R-Line package, which includes 20-inch alloy wheels; a sportier body kit; adaptive suspension and variable ratio steering.

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The second-generation Tiguan measures nearly 80mm more between the front and rear axles which, in real terms, offers almost 150 litres more space in the cargo area.

It’s an update which has forced it out of the small SUV category, where in the first six months of 2016 it held the title of the best-selling European (under $40k) with a 4.1 percent market share against its successful Japanese rivals: Mazda’s CX-3 (18%); Mitsubishi ASX (19.9%); and Honda’s HR-V (13%).

The size increase means the latest Tiguan will now go up against the likes of Mazda’s CX-5 in the highly competitive but equally lucrative medium SUV market in Australia.