Since 2018, the Tiguan has been the bestselling model of Volkswagen Passenger Cars and the Volkswagen Group, with more than 7.6 million units produced from 2007 when the first-generation Tiguan went on sale. In South Africa, over 41,000 units have been sold since it was first introduced in 2009. Now, the third-generation Tiguan range is available locally… at lower prices than the outgoing models.
At first glance, the convergent design language from Volkswagen’s ID range, as seen on the ID.4, and the T SUV series is evident on the all-new Tiguan, as it redefines SUV aesthetics with an expressive, modern and more aerodynamic design, combined with progressive technologies.
With less brightwork and chrome but more plasticky bits, the new look is accentuated by a glass-covered horizontal bar with an integrated LED strip that replaces the traditional radiator grille. The clean design of the bolder-looking front end, with integrated LED headlights, improves the drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.28.
The new Tiguan’s silhouette is dominated by strong shoulder sections above quite prominent wheel arches housing up to 20” wheels. At the rear, a horizontal LED strip between the taillight clusters emphasises the width of the Tiguan’s new but class-generic back end.
Riding on the new MQB Evo platform, the newcomer is 30 mm longer than its predecessor but practically identical in terms of height, width and wheelbase. Even so, the new Tiguan features 10 mm additional legroom, and its luggage capacity has increased by 37 litres to 652 litres (when loaded up to height of the rear seat backrests).
New interior and infotainment system
The redesigned interior, with a clearly structured Digital Cockpit, large infotainment screen with new menu structure and graphics (standard display 12.9”, optional 15”), optional Head-up display and Driving experience dial also follows the ID layout route. Interestingly, the Tiguan now has a multifunction driving gear shift stalk, which is very similar to the system Mercedes-Benz uses.
With a new graphic interface, the standard digital instruments have a display diagonal of 260 mm, and four different views (Classic, Progressive, Navigation and R-Line) can be selected using the corresponding buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
As before, the Tiguan is available in standard, Life, and R-Line specification (with Black Style Package customisation). Even in basic form it is well-kitted, with features including17” alloy wheels, eco LED headlights, a 10-colour ambient lighting dash, a 12.9” Composition Media Touchscreen, fabric seat upholstery, auto climate control, Multi-colour Digital Cockpit, and Park Assist Plus with park distance control.
However, on the launch route from Gqeberha to Graaff-Reinet, we drove the Life derivative with extra features such as electrically folding exterior mirrors and exterior ambient lighting, as well as the R-Line with standard LED Plus headlights with auto high-beam, leather seats and R-Line interior and exterior trim.
Also standard for the R-Line are ErgoActive front seats with power adjustment, massage program and memory feature, 30-colour ambient lighting, as well as roof rails and 19” alloy wheels. As mentioned, the Tiguan comes standard with Park Assist Plus, which allows assisted driving into or out of parallel or bay parking.
Other driver assistance systems include extras such as a trailer manoeuvring system (Trailer Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Travel Assist, a Driver Alert System, Lane Assist, and Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert. Our R-Line test units were also equipped with IQ.Light HD matrix headlights, with 38,400 multi-pixel LEDs, are now optionally available on the Tiguan for the first time.
Comfortable ride, quiet cabin
Both derivatives were powered by the 1.4 TSI 110kW engine and seven-speed DSG transmission carried over from the previous model range, and with 250 Nm of torque available from as low as 1,500 rpm to 3,500 rpm, the small mill proved quiet and willing on the open road.
Even more impressive was the new Tiguan’s smooth ride and handling characteristics; it was sure-footed and balanced even on quite rutted road surfaces (although we did not engage any dirt roads). The Life model, with its 17” tyres, proved the most comfortable of the two derivatives, also in terms of cabin noise.
However, for those preferring diesel grunt and/or all-wheel drive, the new Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110 kW DSG and 2.0 TSI 140 kW DSG derivatives will be available for sale in November this year and the first quarter of next year, respectively.
LAST WORD
Judging by first impressions, the new Tiguan, with its charismatic design and progressive technologies that move it closer to its EV stablemates, looks set to build on the success of Wolfsburg’s top-selling SUV globally – more so as Volkswagen has managed to keep pricing of the newcomer in check with the entry-level 110 kW model retailing for just over R650,000.
Even so, the new Tiguan faces stiff competition from more affordable Chinese entrants in the compact SUV market, and it remains to be seen whether its reputation for quality and its good after-service track record locally will convince customers to stay loyal to the brand.
PRICING
Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110 kW DSG R651,500
Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110 kW Life DSG R702,800
Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110 kW Life 4Motion DSG R755,700
Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110 KW R-Line DSG R766,300
Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110 kW R-Line 4Motion DSG R834,800Tiguan 2.0 TSI 140 kW R-Line 4Motion DSG R835,900
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH AFRICA
