The Volkswagen Tiguan –bigger, bolder, and more fun than before

Volkswagen knows its customers, and a couple of ‘Easter eggs’ in the new Tiguan found in the rear of the car suggest that, while Mummy and Daddy might be making the monthly payments, those in the back are just as important. Look through one side window and there’s a silhouette of a tiger on its edge. On the other side of the car there’s an iguana. Small kids will love this and extra kudos to the parents that explain that the car was named after these noble animals. Here then is the third-generation Tiguan, an SUV that has grown and matured, but not forgotten how to have a little fun.

Exterior design and image

The Tiguan’s designers have eschewed the chunkiness of the previous-generation model in favour of a more modern shape that bridges the gap between Volkswagen’s traditional cars and its newer ‘intelligent design’ electric vehicles. How expressive it is depends on which trim level you go for. The standard cars can be a little meek in monotone colours, though the R-Line variant tested here looks stunning in Persimmon Red on its 19-inch alloy wheels. There are fetching shades of blue and green in the palette, too. Distinctive LED lighting – including a light bar across the front and back – sets the Tiguan apart no matter which version you go for.

Interior and practicality

As the new Tiguan is wider, taller and longer than the old one, more space inside has been freed up, and no matter which of the five seats you jump into, there’s room to stretch in most directions – albeit the central rear passenger draws the short straw due to the raised floor in that area. Most people will be too distracted by the snazzy new dashboard and ambient lighting to notice that and the new model instantly dates the old as it’s so full of cutting-edge tech. A massive touchscreen dominates the front of the cabin, for starters, and it’s easy to find your way around. The driver gets customised digital instruments, too.

Thankfully, Volkswagen hasn’t forgotten that this is a practical SUV at heart in the process of modernising it, as there are loads of clever touches inside that make living with the car easier. One example is the rubberised cover over the wireless charging pad that stops phones from sliding about. Another is the simply enormous boot that’ll swallow golf trolleys as easily as it will big buggies, wheels and all.

Price and engine options

Prices start at €49,890 for the Life version powered by the 2.0-litre diesel engine making a modest 150hp. It’s only a few euros more for the limited-time ‘Launch Edition’ though, which gets lots of extra niceties, so if you’re in the market right now, try to snap one of those up. Above that are the ‘Elegance’ and ‘R-Line’ specifications and those can be had with either the same diesel power or an intriguing plug-in hybrid system (badged eHybrid) with more power – up to 204hp – and, in theory at least, the ability to drive on electric propulsion for up to 120 kilometres. The hybrid Tiguan is usefully less expensive to buy than an equivalently-specified diesel, too. There are no all-wheel-drive options as yet, unfortunately, and the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace has not been replaced.

On the road

We’re keenly waiting for a chance to drive the new Tiguan eHybrid as the data suggests it could be the pick of the line-up, especially for those that have access to a charger at home or work. Nonetheless, diesel is far from dead in this country as the long-distance ease and economy of a diesel engine still appeals to many buyers. The Tiguan’s 2.0-litre engine isn’t the most powerful in the world, but it has no trouble pushing the SUV’s bulk along with a little vim when you need it. In fact, the ‘DSG’ automatic gearbox is at its best when you twist the steering-column-mounted drive selector into the ‘sport’ setting for maximum response. Even so, the engine is quite muted at a cruise on the motorway and has no trouble attaining its official fuel consumption figure. It’ll make a fine tow car, too, though of course it would be better in that regard with four-wheel drive. And if you plan to take your Tiguan anywhere rougher than the N11 dual-carriageway it’d be sensible to ignore the temptation to upgrade the wheels to a larger diameter. As it is, the low-profile tyres fitted to the R-Line car by default reduce comfort in comparison to the smaller wheels found on lesser models.

On the shortlist?

The Tiguan is marketed in one of the most competitive sectors of the automotive industry, going up against many other SUV options from bargain basement to full-on premium cars. It sits near the top of that spectrum, but isn’t necessarily priced to reflect that. What’s more, with the might of its own finance arm, Volkswagen can offer some compelling packages and affordable monthly repayments. And those in the back will thank you for providing some unique entertainment.