What is it?
Volkswagen’s facelifted Tiguan compact SUV, deliveries of which will begin in the UK in September, and which we’re testing in the UK for the first time. And it stands out as one of the more talented all-round road cars available of its type.
Although they’re cracked up to be seriously multi-talented, you often have to compromise on quite a lot when buying a £25,000 SUV. You can have a voluminous seven-seater, but it’ll probably come from a budget brand and with a slightly agricultural driving experience. You can have one from a premium brand, but it might be quite small and only have two driven wheels. You can have one from a more blue-blooded 4x4 brand, but you’ll have to settle for relatively low spec.
And within that rather confusing market, the Volkswagen Tiguan has become a bit of touchstone: the go-to-option for all-round breadth of ability. Oft-criticised for its ‘lightweight’ Golf-derived underpinnings, it’s actually the Tiguan’s civilized and efficient Golf-family engines and relatively modest dimensions that make it so uncompromised. Few others in the class combine the Tiguan’s car-like performance, handling, ride, refinement and efficiency, after all. And even fewer come with such a flexible, well-equipped and well-appointed cabin, with decent capability as a tow car or occasional offroad tool, or with a badge as desirable as VW’s.
Join the debate
theonlydt
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
[quote Autocar] But the Tiguan steers and handles very tidily indeed, with strong grip, quick responses, well-contained body roll and little understeer. That being the case, it’s easy to accept the modest amount of choppiness in the car’s dynamic demeanor over undulating surfaces.[/quote] Somehow I suspect those christening their Tiguan "Tigger" may disagree with you, as they have to live with the choppy ride, rather than being a road-tester with a handling focus.
The Apprentice
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
Reads more like a press release than a review.
TegTypeR
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
[quote Autocar]
Put simply, it’s a car that still drives like a car - and yet it’s also all the 4x4 you’re ever likely to need.
[/quote]
That really does sum this car up perfectly. It really is the Golf of the soft roader world.
However, like the Golf, I find this car terminally bland. For the majority of buyers though this won't be a problem and they will enjoy the great build and on road ability.
superstevie
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
[quote TegTypeR]
That really does sum this car up perfectly. It really is the Golf of the soft roader world.
However, like the Golf, I find this car terminally bland. For the majority of buyers though this won't be a problem and they will enjoy the great build and on road ability.
[/quote] Could not have put it better myself! Might add that I think it looks uglier than it did beforeartill
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
I am sure its a decent thing, but its so dull.
And its yet another VW facelift that has left the car worse than before they started.
ronmcdonald
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
[quote TegTypeR]
For the majority of buyers though this won't be a problem and they will enjoy the great build and on road ability.
[/quote] Great build? I assume then the last Golf you travelled in was a mk4. You can guarantee that every rattle I fix on my mk5 produces another elsewhere. And of the three mk6 (or is it 5.5?) owners I know, their cars have developed rattles in the dash and B-pillar trim in the past year. VW's build quality is way over-rated IMO.fhp11
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
I think the looks are an improvement and I think it actually looks Ok. I do however think that the Dash looks a bit cheap and bland and indeed thought it with the last one also.
TegTypeR
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
[quote ronmcdonald] Great build? I assume then the last Golf you travelled in was a mk4. You can guarantee that every rattle I fix on my mk5 produces another elsewhere.[/quote]
I look after a very low mileage R32 Mk5 at the moment for a friend (he lives abroad) and I have never found any problems with the build, even if the thing is awful to drive. I do however have an issue with the dreadful quality of the plastics they use (which is much over hyped by the press) and I can imagine that given some miles and wear they probably would start squeaking and rattling quite nicely.
Will86
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
[quote ronmcdonald]Great build? I assume then the last Golf you travelled in was a mk4. You can guarantee that every rattle I fix on my mk5 produces another elsewhere. And of the three mk6 (or is it 5.5?) owners I know, their cars have developed rattles in the dash and B-pillar trim in the past year. VW's build quality is way over-rated IMO[/quote]
You're not alone in having reservations about VW's quality. Honest John who does a lengthy and very interesting question and answer piece in the Saturday Telegraph is also a bit skeptical about VW at the moment.
230SL
Re: VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
Skoda Yeti.
Also is their a car that does not rattle? have a two year old CRV, that has the odd rattle but it is not the end of the world, actually our Golf has less rattles.
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