2023 Tiguan Allspace review: 162TSI Monochrome

Volkswagen has been getting crafty with special editions to duck, dodge and dive ongoing supply snags and deliver what Australian buyers want: high-spec 2.0-litre turbo-powered Tiguans.

The first was VW’s Tiguan Allspace Adventure that emerged in November 2022, followed by this Monochrome, with de-specced Grid versions of the T-Roc and Tiguan R still to come.

VW has used the Monochrome moniker before, on a 2015 run-out version of the Touareg 150TDI, but unlike that high-spec offering, the Tiguan Monochrome is about balancing what’s needed with what’s available now.

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Available in two-row Tiguan ($53,690 ) or three-row Allspace ($55,690) – both before on-road costs – the Monochrome retains the 162kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine but doesn’t sacrifice as much as the Adventure.

It’s also more urban-focused than Adventure with chic 19-inch ‘Valencia’ wheels, an imposing R-Line body kit and a paint palette that’ll satisfy even the most colourblind of architects (black, white, silver or grey).

The Tiguan Monochrome and Tiguan Allspace Monochrome are available to order now, respectively representing a $4100 and $4600 discount over equivalent full-fat R-Line trims.

JUMP AHEAD

• How much is it, and what do you get?
• How do rivals compare on value?
• Interior comfort, space and storage
• What is it like to drive?
• How is it on fuel?
• How safe is it?
• Warranty and running costs
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How much is it, and what do you get?

The Monochrome is a mix of R-lIne, Life and regular Tiguan trims with an emphasis on culling unnecessary semiconductors, but it isn’t all bargain basement.

Volkswagen’s ‘IQ.Light’ Matrix LED headlights are standard and VW throws in premium paint (usually $900) with the Allspace Monochrome, which is available in a choice of Deep Black pearl, Platinum Grey or Pyrite Silver.

However, Oryx White commands an extra $900, the only other option available on an Allspace Monochrome being a $2000 panoramic sunroof.

Inside, the Monochrome misses out on the 9.2-inch screen fitted to the 162TSI R-Line, instead making do with an 8.0-inch item from the Life. There’s no option to get a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system either, which is a shame as the standard eight-speaker system lacks punch.

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But the software and equipment are cohesive and functional. That’s more than you can say about the newer 10.25-inch screens found in MQB Evo-based VWs (such as the latest Golf) while retaining faultless wireless smartphone mirroring and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display with navigation map read-out.

The materials and design of the Tiguan are a little pragmatic and a little dull next to flash rivals but the plastics on the dash and doors are quality items.

However, we noticed this Mexican-built Allspace Monochrome suffered a distinct drop in build quality after experiencing the German-constructed short-wheelbase Tiguan.

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How do rivals compare on value?

For $55,690 before on-road costs, the specification sheet of the Tiguan Allspace Monochrome looks a little sparse next to direct rivals.

Powertrain aside, in a Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer you’re getting absolutely everything (including the kitchen sink) thrown in for $2200 less than the de-contented Monochrome.

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Other seven-seat (but still compact) SUVs are hard to come by, with Nissan X-Trail only offering its jump seats in lower trims.

Some spacious medium SUVs worth considering include the Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester. The Hyundai Santa Fe is also worth considering, being bigger but not excessively so.

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Interior comfort, space and storage

A combination of cloth and handsome ‘art velour’ detailing on the fabric inlays make up the upholstery on the manual-adjust seats in the Monochrome.

Manual seats can be a drag, especially when sharing a car with a partner, friend or housemate who doesn’t match your size and driving position. If you don’t regularly share, though, Volkswagen’s scroll-wheel backrest adjustment and push-out lumbar support allow similarly accurate adjustment to electric.

Generous door bins and a sizable centre console provide space to stash odds and ends while driving. Even more secretive slide-out trays beneath both front seats give a secluded place to leave valuables.

The Tiguan is a cleverly-designed car that does a lot with its interior space, continuing in the Allspace’s truly adult-sized second row. There are two more USB-C charging ports in the rear console for a total of four, with a separate climate control zone for rear passengers.

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The rear bench slides on rails and has an adjustable backrest, allowing you to balance maximum occupant comfort with boot space. Even with the second row slid most of the way forward, though, the third row is tight for adults. It’s a kids-only zone, really, but given the Allspace’s relatively short length (4734mm) the inclusion is welcome.

Cargo capacity is quite astounding in the Allspace. It doesn’t get the Adventure’s absurd 760L boot but with two rows in place there’s a VDA-certified 700L of cargo area. With all three up the 230L space is enough for school bags or light shopping; with all seats flat it’s 1775L.

In typical European fashion, the Tiguan Allspace is fitted with a host of shopping bag hooks, a little extra under-floor storage and a space-saver spare tyre.

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What is it like to drive?

The basics

Based on Volkswagen’s long-running MQB platform, the Tiguan still manages to poke its head high above medium SUV rivals when it comes to roadholding and driver reward.

Partly this is down to the inclusion of three-stage adaptive dampers that add breadth beyond what rivals can offer with a fairly plush Comfort setting, all-round Normal and a firm (but usable) Sport mode.

The quality 255/45 R19 Continental Contisport 5 tyres fitted to our tester provide excellent dry and wet grip. Although road noise is louder than in a Nissan X-Trail, the Tiguan is still plenty quiet.

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VW’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine also remains a highlight with 162kW of power on tap between 4200-6200rpm, and 350Nm of torque spread across 1600-4200rpm. The 1796kg Allspace Monochrome is hot-hatch quick, too, VW claiming a 0-100km/h sprint of 6.8 seconds.

The seven-speed wet clutch DSG transmission does require a small recalibration of driving habits after a torque converter or continuously variable unit, but the learning curve is pretty small and the benefits of crisp shifting will win you over.

Being based on the R-Line, the Monochrome retains the ultra-accurate two-turn lock-to-lock progressive steering system, too. It stays light in Comfort, with welcome weight bringing added confidence in Sport mode.

The Allspace Monochrome’s high-set driving position, near-vertical windscreen and beefy side mirrors give a great view out, too.

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How is it on fuel?

The Tiguan Allspace Monochrome claims 8.6L/100km of fuel in the combined ADR 81/02 cycle, and all Tiguan 162TSIs require premium 95 RON unleaded.

In real-world testing, we returned 9.9L/100km with plenty of urban and suburban driving thrown into the mix. The official urban fuel consumption figure for the Tiguan is 10.7L/100km.

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How safe is it?

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace was awarded five stars in ANCAP safety testing under the 2016 protocol. Its ANCAP rating expired officially in December 2022.

Driver assistance features include a good lane-keep assist calibration, well-tuned adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, low-speed rear AEB, reversing camera and driver attention monitoring.

As with all MY23 Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace models, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring are not available on the Allspace Monochrome due to supply shortages.

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NOTE: Tested in 2016 under an older protocol

Warranty and running costs

Volkswagen covers all vehicles in Australia with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Maintenance for the Tiguan Allspace is due every 12 months or 15,000km. Volkswagen offers care packages that bundle service pricing together. A five-year pack costs $2950 and saves you a total of $1023 compared to pay-as-you-go pricing.

The Tiguan remains one of the more expensive vehicles to service in the medium SUV class. See the table below for a match-up against key rivals:

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VERDICT

If you’ve had your eye on a Tiguan with the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, but always felt the 162TSI was either a little too dear or not worth waiting six-plus months for, then the Monochrome may be the answer.

The lack of electric-adjust memory seats may annoy couples, and the 8.0-inch infotainment screen is not the biggest in its class by any means, but there’s still plenty to enjoy about this Tiguan spec.

VW hasn't de-contented the Monochrome as much as it did the Adventure model and because it retains the aggressive R-Line body kit and adaptive dampers, this supply shortage special is well worth considering if you appreciate sorted driving dynamics and have an immediate need for a new and not-too-big three-row SUV.

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Tiguan Allspace 162TSI Monochrome specifications

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