Volkswagen Tiguan 103TDI 2011 review

Volkswagen Australia have thrown a two-wheel drive wagon into the Tiguan mix, looking to maintain the momentum of these compact soft-roaders in one of the country's brightest sales segments.

The all-paw Tiguan has been one of Volkswagen's bread-and-butter products since introduction here in 2008. Sales topped 6000 last year and look headed toward a bigger year in 2011; the Tiguan, Golf and Polo are VW's major volume winners.

Now the wagon range has been refreshed with some style tweaks, extra fuel-saving technology for some models plus a front-drive version with the 1.4-litre 118TSi engine and six-speed manual (for now) from a keen $28,490.

Explore the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan range

• Volkswagen Tiguan 147TSI 2008 review
• Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI 2011 review
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2WD 2011 review
• Volkswagen Tiguan 103TDI 2011 review

There are already a number of two-wheel drive wagons here - Mitsubishi's ASC, the Rav4, Holden Captiva, Sportage and Nissan X-Trail among them.

The Tiguans' advantage, says VW marketing manager Jutta Friese, is the reputation for German engineering, the wagons to be marketed across the board with the line "get a taste for quality".

VALUE

The front-drive Tiguan is the big news here, giving VW a starter under $30,000 for the six-speed manual; the auto DSG transmission due next year will likely add around $2500.

But the entry-level wagon misses for little over the rest of the range, all with decent dynamics, great engines, all packed with safety and convenience features and all German-built.

DESIGN

There are few style or design changes here. The Tiguan's grille and front end has been reworked to bear similarities to big brother Touareg, rear taillights also now closer in style to the Touareg. Interiors remain as before aside from new seat upholstery.

SAFETY

The previous Tiguan scored a five-star rating in European NCAP tests. There's two front airbags, two side bags and two head/thorax bags plus any number of electronic driver aids from ABS to electronic diff lock.

TECHNOLOGY

The VW empire allows for even these family wagons to carry a host of today's technology from seven-speed auto DSG transmissions to Bluetooth phone connectivity.

BlueMotion, fuel-saving technologies on the 103TDI and 118TSI two-wheel drive include VW's stop-start system; new here on the two litre 103TDI DSG only is a (switchable) `Coasting Function', declutching the engine and allowing the vehicle to roll under its own momentum.

A fatigue detection system, which analyses a driver's characteristic behaviour at the wheel and then warns of deviations, is fitted to the top-flight 155TSI.

DRIVING

The front-drive Tiguan should satisfy a number of today's families. While there's just the six-speed manual for now  and the 1.4 litre turbo engine does not punch quite like the bigger engines  the cheapest wagon misses out on little in the way of comfort, versatility and dynamic drive.

Indeed on some back roads the ride comfort bettered that of others in the range. It is a willing engine, as are all in this mob, and handled two big blokes with ease.

Off the bitumen, down a bush track, the Tiguans are the equal of any in this class; perhaps a little better with all the electronic traction aids and VW's long-established, well-refined 4Motion drive system.

A proper handbrake lever, rather than the Tiguans' electro-mechanical parking brake, would be appreciated in the manual VWs when off in the scrub.

VERDICT

There are a swag of competent soft-roaders on the market; the Tiguans boast some of the segment's best engines plus that Volkswagen badge plus German engineering and build quality. The front-drive version widens the appeal.

RATING

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Price: from $28,490 to $42,990
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Resale: 75 per cent
Engines: 1.4 litre petrol, 118kW/240Nm; 2 litre turbo diesel,103kW/320Nm; 2 litre petrol,132kW/280Nm; 2 litre petrol,155kW/280Nm
Safety equipment: Six airbags, ABS, ASR,ESP. Five-star crash rating (previous Tiguan)
Transmissions: Front drive, all-wheel drive, 6-speed manual, 7-speed DSG
Dimensions: 4427mm(L), 1809mm (W),1686mm (H),2605mm (WB)
Ground clearance: 195mm
Towing capacity: 1800kg to 2000kg.