VW Tiguan gets rear view camera standard on all models

Volkswagen joins the growing list of car makers fitting rear-view cameras as standard.
 
The Volkswagen Tiguan will soon join the growing list of cars and SUVs to come with a rear-view camera on all models across the range.
 
All versions of the updated VW Tiguan compact SUV due on sale September 15 will come with a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors and a larger, 6.5-inch display screen in the dash.
 
The Tiguan will also gain driver fatigue-detection technology which is also standard on the latest Golf.
 
Volkswagen is yet to publicly announce the changes but a dealer bulletin warns prices will rise because of the extra equipment.
 
The Tiguan range currently starts from $28,490 plus on-road costs for the 118TSI manual, although there is a special offer this month to clear old stock, from $27,990 drive-away, a saving of about $3500.
 
The bulletin says the Tiguan 118TSI with automatic transmission will cost between $31,000 and $32,500 plus on-road costs (even though it is on-sale this month for $30,490 drive-away), while the range will top out at $45,000 for a new Tiguan R-Line (pictured) powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo engine as the Golf GTI hot hatch.
 
The fitment of a rear-view camera will fix a glaring anomaly for the Volkswagen Tiguan given most new SUVs have cameras as standard across all models.
 
The price of a brand-new car with a rear view camera has limboed to a new low -- just $14,990 -- with the arrival of the new Honda Jazz hatchback in July.
 
The price undercuts the previous low set by the Toyota Corolla sedan introduced in January for $20,700, which comes with a rear view camera and parking sensors.
 
The improved affordability of the technology has prompted experts to ask why rear-view cameras are still not fitted as standard to Australia's top-selling family-sized SUVs.
 
Rear-view cameras are not available on the most affordable versions of the Ford Territory or Holden Captiva 7 -- they're standard only on the most expensive versions, typically priced in excess of $40,000 -- even though every Toyota Kluger has had a rear view camera since 2007. Holden and Ford are expected to introduce changes late this year.
 
Figures from Federal safety authorities show that almost 100 children aged up to 4 years were killed in driveways or car parks between 2001 and 2010 -- about 10 per year -- and more than 500 kids were seriously injured over the same period.
 
The shame file:
SUVs without rear-view cameras across their entire ranges in 2014 (as of August)
 
Audi Q3 (camera optional on all versions)
Audi Q5 (camera only on the most expensive versions)
BMW X1 (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Ford Ecoboost (camera not available on any model)
Ford Kuga (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Ford Territory (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Holden Captiva 7 (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Hyundai ix35 (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Jeep Compass (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Jeep Patriot (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Kia Sportage (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Land Rover Freelander (camera only the most expensive versions)
Land Rover Discovery (camera only the most expensive versions)
Nissan Patrol diesel (camera not available)
Toyota LandCruiser (camera only on the most expensive versions)
Volkswagen Tiguan (camera only on the most expensive versions)
 
The honours list:
SUVs with rear-view cameras across their entire ranges in 2014 (as of August)
 
Audi Q7
BMW X3
BMW X5
Holden Colorado 7
Honda CR-V
Holden Trax
Hyundai Sante Fe
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorrento
Lexus LX
Lexus RX
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-9
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Mitsubishi ASX
Mitsubishi Challenger
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi Pajero
Nissan Dualis
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Patrol V8 petrol
Nissan X-Trail
Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Vogue
Subaru Forester
Subaru Outback
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Kluger
Toyota Prado
Volkswagen Touareg