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All-new VW Tiguan goes to the top of the class and proves that bigger really is better.
WHAT IS IT?
Arguably the most important car Volkswagen will launch in Australia this year. It’s the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, which is all-new and lands in SUV-mad Australia spoiling for a fight with the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson sales juggernauts.
WHY WE’RE DRIVING IT
Because when we say all-new, we really mean it. Tiguan is the first SUV built on VW’s excellent MQB platform, shared by cars including the Golf VII, so there’s a good chance it will have polished dynamics and address the packaging shortfalls of its predecessor, which had a boot the size of a thimble.
RIVALS
Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Trail, Renault Koleos, Subaru Forester, Ford Kuga (check out our mid-size SUV comparo).
Not the cheapest mid-size SUV around, but Tiguan 2.0 is instantly one of the best thanks to polished dynamics, impressive equipment levels and a roomy, well-built cabin.
PLUS: Dynamics; packaging; refinement; equipment; interior quality and design
MINUS: High starting price; snoozy design
THE WHEELS REVIEW
WE FIRST sampled this all-new, second-generation Tiguan a few months ago in Belgium, and we liked it. A lot. We praised its packaging improvements, its slick, upmarket interior, refined engines and overall polish, all of which shot it straight to the pointy end of the booming mid-size SUV segment.
And the news is good. On lumpy, pockmarked roads around Byron Bay, Tiguan 2.0 asserted itself with aplomb and delivered handling that is not only composed and light on its feet, but fun too, which is rare for this segment.
The electric steering is accurate and well weighted, the handling progressive and precise, bodyroll is kept tightly in check despite the taller ride-height, and the ride is nicely judged across the range. Wheel sizes span 17 inches up to 20 on models fitted with the optional R-Line package (which also adds adaptive dampers).
MQB also allowed VW to address the original Tiguan’s packaging shortfalls. Where Tiguan 1.0 had a tight interior and small boot, this new model muscles into mid-size SUV territory with larger dimensions all round and a 77mm-longer wheelbase.
There’s plenty of equipment, too. Three trim grades are offered – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline – and all score an 8.0-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear air vents, cruise control, and auto wipers and headlights.
Safety is best in class, headlined by standard AEB, lane-departure warning, a pedestrian-friendly active bonnet, seven airbags and fatigue detection.
The pair of 2.0-litre diesels (110kW/340Nm and 140kW/400Nm) are smooth and impressively quiet, though the 140TDI is more responsive and has a stronger mid-range.
All up, it’s a convincing and comprehensive suite of engines with no obvious weak point, a fact that adds to the Tiguan’s overall feeling of engineering prowess.
Buyers could also be put off by the higher entry price given some Asian rivals start below $30K. But the Tiguan is still good value with its refinement, classy engines, polished dynamics and class-leading equipment. VW’s smallest Aussie SUV has grown up, literally, and is arguably the best offering in its class.
SPECS Model: Volkswagen Tiguan 140TDI Highline Engine: 1968cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo Max power: 140kW @ 3500-4000rpm Max torque: 400Nm @ 1900-3300rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1691kg 0-100km/h: 7.9sec (claimed) Economy: 5.9L/100km Price: $49,990 On sale: Now
