Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI The right angle
A small cabin with a Touareg Golf Plus and unlikely lines …
Project Tiguan does not seem super good party and it is trailing leg as I went to Budapest for international trials of this small SUV Teutonic.
With the excellent products Japanese squat segment for years (RAV4 and CR-V head), is it really that Volkswagen may bring new blood into the category?
First impression
Visually, the Tiguan has a far less physical than the ungrateful photos, it contains the genes of the Touareg without aping the big brother too and we did not feel it’s a Golf elevated. Finally, the Tiguan is placed between the “wow” triggered by the passage of a A5 and “beurp” a Modus.
The lower grille is nicely designed, the optics are smiling and well proportioned. A good example to understand the designers at Peugeot that can meet the standards of fire safety without going back to the mirror!
The stern is no surprise, always fresh and balanced shapes, placed the spoiler on the tailgate, contains the third brake light and energizes the line.
Mirrors, very round, participate in giving a nice air to 4×4 city, which does not seem to be puncture tires.
Life on board
If there is one area where Volkswagen is often withdrawn from the competition is that of life on board. Generally the finish is excellent and the ergonomics careful, but do not ask for more.
The Tiguan was designed as a family vehicle and easygoing, he took advantage of little touches that make the trip more enjoyable.
The most notable effort on the roof: the traditional window is replaced by a genuine all-glass panoramic roof and opening generous. The austerity of the passenger takes for his rank! Unfortunately the roof is supplied as standard on the finishes Carat.
The ergonomics is taken from the Golf Plus with round sound holes for ventilation and controls conveniently placed for the electric windows.
The second revolution for Volkswagen is in the multimedia system. Goodbye mapping antiquated, slow operation and low-end sound system!
The new multimedia package includes (among others) the following refinements:
- Reversing Camera with lines of orientation
- SD Card Reader
- Speakers Dynaudio (like Volvo)
- Touch screen 6.5 ”
- 30GB hard disk
- AUX input for connecting an MP3 player
- Play DVD video
Ergonomics are good and the beautiful cards. Even the aesthetics of multimedia block was treated with a small frame lacquered look the best and good treatment of the screen to avoid fingerprints.
Track & Field
Most small 4×4 eventually take their vocation almost exclusively urban. The Tiguan will distinguish itself on this point by offering an alternative in its range. The “city people” choose unabashed classic finishes: Trendline, or Confortline Carat and adventurers in power choose to finish Track & Field.
The latter improves the capacity of crossing the Tiguan with an angle of attack of 28 degrees (instead of 18 °), a skid and a program “Off Road” comes standard.
Tested on two sites developed for the crossing, the Tiguan has shown great potential. The motor never fails and the angle of slope can address the ruts with confidence. In addition, the help system hill start will be a useful support for those who do not juggle with the pedals.
A road without reproach
A steady speed on the motorway, the Tiguan has impressed us with its silence and comfort level. The seats are more comfortable than the rest of the range and the insulation is excellent: the engine is forgotten and road noise are nonexistent.
Side engines, direct injection is the right thing, both gasoline and diesel.
We started with the smallest of the IST. This block of 1.4-liter displacement may seem undersized for a 4×4 of 1546 pounds. With the addition of a compressor and a turbocharger, the TSI does wonders, it is present at all speeds and provides a very valuable approval. Of course with a car loaded and negative slope, we should not ask the Tiguan jump, but for city use, the engine will be ideal.
Realistically, the TSI is that the tree hiding the forest of TDI. Especially as the Tiguan inaugurates a brand new common rail diesel unit with the injection pressure reaches 1800 bar, which uses piezo-inline technology.
Specifically, there is no boot-time engine, the noise level will drop and vibration have almost disappeared.
Window open, you always regret the discretion of the IST, but overall it would be a shame to deprive the 320 Nm of torque TDI and an average consumption of just over 7 liters per hundred kilometers.
Conclusion
As an old pal said: “The last shall be first.” Volkswagen made a late entry into the urban SUV market, but it is clear that the product delivered is very successful.
Beyond the quality and the overall balance of the Tiguan, I was surprised by a feeling of well being on board rarely felt in a Volkswagen. So also for the level of multimedia equipment, comfort and brightness of the cabin and that I regard as the best SUV Tiguan urban moment.
After the success of the Touareg , Volkswagen has launched with optimism on the compact SUV segment. With good reason, since the enthusiasm has not waned. Aesthetically, the Tiguan is meant to be an SUV class. The lines are traditional but exude quality Germanic. Not necessarily fun but serious and it shows. The only originality lies in the possibility to choose between two sides: one reserved exclusively for urban use and another called Track and Field dedicated to the practice of off-road. It is distinguished mainly by a shield offering a different angle of attack, most importantly, a crankcase, a protective box, etc..
Inside, not much surprises as the Tiguan fully incorporates the dashboard of the Golf Plus. It’s sad lack of imagination but the ergonomics, finish and materials quality are waiting for you.
In terms of practicality, the Tiguan shows benefits in the medium category with a volume of 430 liters penalized by a low loading a bit high. Livability back is correct but we must not forget that the Tiguan is larger than most of its competitors since it measures 4.43 m is almost 12 cm longer than theNissan Qashqai
