2016 Volkswagen Tiguan specifications confirmed

VW’s sorely needed new medium SUV will offer a strong standard equipment list when it launches in September.

Volkswagen may well be late to the SUV party with its second generation Tiguan, but with a wide range of spec levels and drivetrains, the company is confident that the new, larger SUV will help boost its flagging fortunes in the high-riding wagon market.

The SUV sector accounts for 38 per cent of all new car sales currently, and the first new Tiguan in seven years will have to take on strong, established competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai’s Tucson and the venerable Toyota RAV4.

Touted by VW as one of its “most significant launches in recent memory”, the now mid-size Tiguan will go on sale here in September in seven variants. 

Prices are yet to be revealed, but it’s estimated that the entry-level 110TSI petrol front-wheel-drive Trendline will start around $30,000, peaking with the range-topping Highline 162TSI all-wheel-drive petrol model in the low $50,000s.

All Tiguans will offer city emergency braking and lane keeping assist as standard, along with Apple Play/Android Auto functionality, automatic lights and wipers, park assist, tyre pressure sensors and a rear-view camera.

It’ll also come standard with an active bonnet that helps to reduce injury to pedestrians, driver fatigue detection and post-collision automatic braking.

The five-seat Tiguan – built on the same MQB platform as the VW Golf, Audi A3 and many other VW Group cars – has also grown in size.

Buyers will be able  choose from five engines, including a 110kW 1.4-litre turbo petrol, a pair of 2.0-litre petrol engines making 132kW and 162kW respectively, and a pair of diesels.

A pair of 2.0-litre turbo diesels will also be offered; the 110TDI offers 110kW and 340Nm, while the 140TDI produces 140kW and 400Nm. 

Transmission-wise, the 110TSI petrol engine can be had with either a six-speed manual or double-clutch gearbox in front wheel drive guise only. The rest of the range is equipped with VW’s Haldex all-wheel-drive system and backed by the DSG gearbox.

The five-seat Tiguan – built on the same MQB platform as the VW Golf, Audi A3 and many other VW Group cars – has also grown in size, with a very welcome increase in space in the rear cargo area, in particular. 

It grows from a bottom-of-class 395 litres to a whopping 615 litres with the rear seats up, and goes out to 1665 litres when the seats are folded down.

As with the rest of the VW passenger range, the Tiguan will come in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline variants. 

An R-Line package can be optioned on the Highline, turning the Tiguan into a pseudo sportster.

Expect to see 17-inch rims LED tail lights, an 8.0-inch multimedia screen and a leather-bound steering wheel on the entry level Trendline, while the Comfortline also gets a drive mode selector, three-zone climate control, satellite navigation, fog lights and a host of neat interior details like folding tables for the rear seat passengers, a rear cargo net and under-seat storage drawers.

The range-topping Highline adds LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, keyless entry, electric tailgate, heated and (driver’s) powered front seats with leather throughout, power external mirrors and premium LED taillights to the spec.

Additional packs will also be offered; a Luxury package for the Comfortline nets leather, powered tailgate, heated front seats and a sunroof.

A Driver Assistance package can be optioned on the Comfortline and Highline variants, with adaptive cruise control, side assist with rear traffic alert detection, an active information display and more.

Finally, an R-Line package can be optioned on the Highline, turning the Tiguan into a pseudo sportster with 20-inch rims, a bespoke bodykit and interior makeover, adaptive chassis control and progressive steering as fitted to cars like the Golf R.

Will the new, larger Tiguan make it onto your SUV shopping list? Let us know in the comments below.