Tiguan adds shove to VW pack

The new Volkwagen Tiguan has moved up from Business Class to First Class with distinctive upmarket looks and attractive styling, smart new technology, more practicality and a choice of engines and transmissions. The latest VW five-seater SUV is lighter, longer and wider than the previous model and also has more cabin and boot space. It is also the first VW SUV to sit on the same platform and uses much of the underpinnings of the Golf and Passat.

The completely redesigned Tiguan is powered by a range of engines but will initially be sold with two 1.4 TSI engines – 92Kw and 110kW. The 2.0 TDI engines with 81kW, 105kW and 130kW as well as the range-topping 2.0 TSI with 162kW will be introduced later this year. Buyers have the choice of three equipment levels, Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.

The latest Tiguan is a vast improvement on the previous model, particularly in the make-up department where it combines an imposing lower, wider presence with attractive lines, bold radiator emphasised by LED headlights (optional), shapely wheel arches and integrated door handles.
At the local media launch in Gauteng I piloted two versions of the 1.4 Comfortline-specced Tiguans - the manual 6-speed and the pricier and more powerful version armed with a 6-speed DSG.

The immediately noticeable features were the much slicker manner in which they hugged both gravel and tar roads, steering accuracy and confidence-inspiring brakes. This Tiguan’s ride quality is as good, if not better, than most of its immediate competitors.

As to be expected, the 110kW/250 Nm version felt slightly quicker thanks to the extra horses under the bonnet which give it a top speed of 200km/h and a 0-100km/h in 9.2 sec – yet the slightly less powerful 92kW/200Nm with a top speed of 190km/h and sprint time of 10.5 sec would be my preferred choice, thanks to its nifty manual shift which is well-suited to its performance. Another strong motivator is the price difference of R38,680 in favour of the manual. Unfortunately we did not have an opportunity to put the much-acclaimed 4MOTION Active Control to the test in off-road conditions.

The new Tiguan certainly scores well in the key field of family-friendly practicality, particularly when the rear bench is folded and cargo space is stretched to 1,655 litres (145 litres larger than its predecessor). The bench seat can also be split 40:20:40. Headroom and leg room have also been increased.