In a market dominated by the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4, the Volkswagen Tiguan is refreshingly different. Unlike its more-established competitors, the VW is still in its first generation, having only been introduced in 2008. It's the youngster of the group, and it wears that badge with pride.
While the RAV4 and CR-V really set the bar for compact SUVs in the late 90s, the current models are hard to see as "compact". They've grown with each generation, to the point where the current RAV4 is a half-metre longer than the original version and offers optional third-row seating. In contrast, the Tiguan retains a compact feel that no longer applies to the larger Toyota and many other supposedly small SUVs.
Mind you, the Tiguan isn't really much smaller than the rest--it just feels like it. And that's due to two factors: perception and performance.
Part of our perception of the Tiguan as a compact SUV comes from the fact we don't have a previous model to compare it to. We know the RAV4 and CR-V have gotten bigger and bigger because we remember the tiny "cute-ute" SUVs that they once were. In contrast, we see the Tiguan for what it really is--a vehicle that has yet to experience a generational growth spurt.
That being said, perception is only worth so much--a far more-important consideration is the Tiguan's excellent performance. Whereas other SUVs drive like family sedans and minivans, the Tiguan is closer to the Golf hatchback on which it's based: nimble, quick, and--most of all--fun to drive. That, more than anything else, is what makes this SUV feel true to its compact dimensions.
The Tiguan offers the unique character of a Volkswagen, connecting to the road and feeling very much like an extension of the driver's will. It's comfortable and intuitive from the moment you get behind the wheel, offering a relaxed and natural on-road experience that makes it very rewarding to drive.
There's a word for this, of course: "fahrvergnügen." Translating roughly as "driving enjoyment," it's a term that VW hasn't used in advertising for years, but its spirit is thankfully alive and well in the automaker's engineering efforts.
Put all of this together and you have a fun, highly manoeuvrable compact SUV that would be very appealing to a wide range of people--if not for the lacklustre styling. Alas, the Tiguan is about as boring as a vehicle gets, looking like a cross between the Golf hatchback and Touareg SUV, and proving less interesting to look at than both. There's nothing particularly wrong with its design, but considering how great the driving experience is, the styling is a bit of a let-down (even after a mid-cycle refresh).
If you're after the best possible handling in a compact SUV, don't let the Tiguan's one weakness hold you back. If you want the best of both worlds then you might want to wait for the eventual redesign, and hope that it still feels like a compact SUV.
Design--While there's nothing particularly wrong with the Tiguan's plain exterior, there's just nothing to get emotional about.
Continued on next page
Continued from previous page
As a result, the SUV blends into its surroundings entirely too well, completely failing to stand out on a busy street.
All of the exterior design elements seem borrowed from other VW cars, ensuring that the Tiguan maintains a classy look and family resemblance. Some improvements have been made for 2011, but the overall impact remains the same.
Inside, the Tiguan's styling is functional and efficient, but is far too simple and spartan to really grab attention. The plain-Jane cabin features muted colours and a tall dashboard with controls mounted high up, leaving a large expanse of bare plastic below the beltline.
Performance--A turbocharged 2.0L inline-four powers every Tiguan, producing 200-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. It's the same setup found in the Golf GTI, and it's used to great effect. The potent engine provides excellent power with minimal turbo lag, making the Tiguan extremely responsive at all times.
The Tiguan can be had with a six-speed manual or six-speed TIPTRONIC automatic transmission, as well as front- or all-wheel drive (automatic only).
Overall, the powertrain is very well developed, contributing significantly to the SUV's class-leading driving experience.
Handling is responsive and there's lots of feedback from the slightly heavy steering, enabling drivers to intuitively sense and react to road conditions. Ride quality is also quite good, with the stiff-yet-subtle comfort of a German car.
Perhaps the only downside to the powertrain is the noise generated by the turbocharged engine, which can be a bit much at times.
Environment--Although the Tiguan doesn't seem as big inside as competing vehicles, it doesn't feel at all cramped. VW did a good job optimizing the available space to maximize interior room.
VW designers clearly sought to put all of the controls high up on the dashboard where they can be found with a quick glance away from the road. Even the door-mounted controls are easy to see, located just ahead of the exterior mirrors.
Equipped with an eight-position adjustable seat, the Tiguan puts the driver in a tall seating position that affords a great view of the road. The rear seats have a well-designed, one-touch folding mechanism and split 40/20/40, with the middle section providing a wide, plastic armrest with cupholders, while allowing easy access to the cargo area.
Up front, the large map pockets, glove box, and numerous small bins are great, but the smallish centre-console compartment could be improved. The rectangular cargo space benefits from a standard parcel shelf that doubles as a security cover.
Features--Starting at $27,875, the Tiguan is available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims.
The base Trendline comes with ABS, traction control, ESP, cruise control, air conditioning, tilt/telescope steering, remote keyless entry, power windows, fog lamps, heated exterior mirrors, eight-speaker CD/MP3 stereo, tire-pressure monitoring system, and front/front-side/side-curtain airbags.
Notable options, dependent on trim level, include adaptive Xenon headlamps, panoramic sunroof, GPS navigation and entertainment system, rear-passenger side airbag, 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory, Bluetooth, and a sport suspension.
With the manual transmission, fuel efficiency is rated at 11.2L/100km in the city and 7.7L/100km on the highway.
Thumbs up--Rewarding driving experience; friendly and appealing dimensions.
Thumbs down--Lacklustre styling; relatively high starting price.
The bottom line--A wolf in sheep's clothing.
