Volkswagen Tiguan 2014 Review

The Volkswagen Tiguan 118TSI marks the entry point for VW’s popular small SUV. Despite being on the market since 2008, the Tiguan is about the same age as segment rivals like the Hyundai ix35, Nissan Dualis and the Mitsubishi ASX.

Like most small SUV’s, the base 118TSI Tiguan is front-drive only, which benefits fuel consumption and retains enough traction for dirt road driving. 
 
If you prefer your VW small SUV served with all-wheel drive, you’ll have to go for the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel Tiguans further up the price list.

VALUE

The base Tiguan 118TSI comes standard with a six-speed manual for $28,490, but our example had the $2500 optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic for a total list of $30,990.

The 118TSI comes with most must-have features, including a leather steering wheel and gearknob, cruise control, air conditioning, eight-speaker audio, a chilled glovebox, heated mirrors and 16-inch alloys.

Parking sensors, a reversing camera are and a multimedia touchscreen are optional, but Bluetooth phone and audio are standard.

DESIGN

The Tiguan has heaps of room in the back for two adults, with reclining backrests, and the three child seat anchorage points are in the seatbacks so they don’t interfere with the luggage space.

This luggage space totals 395-litres with the seats up, and 1510-litres down, leaving enough room to transport a small fridge. 

Under the boot floor there’s a spacesaver spare wheel, and a couple of handy storage compartments.

A pretty cool function on all new Volkswagens is the remote windows-down function, which is a godsend when returning to a parked car on hot days.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

Under the 118TSI’s bonnet is a 118kW/240Nm version of Volkswagen’s direct-injected, turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine, which sits beneath the 2.0-litre 132kW/280Nm and 155kW/280Nm, and 103kW/320Nm turbodiesel that round out the Tiguan drivetrain lineup. 

The 118TSI is the only drivetrain available with a six-speed manual, with the option of the six-speed DSG dual-clutch auto tested here, and the 2.0-litre variants use a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto.

SAFETY

All Tiguans carry a maximum five star ANCAP safety rating, with dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, along with ABS, EBD and stability control.

DRIVING

The 118TSI petrol engine punches well above its weight for a little 1.4-litre, but can be a bit jerky off the mark, particularly if you’re also waking up the stop/start system.

Once underway, the turbo helps produce max torque from 1500-4000rpm, so it’s pretty flexible despite weighing in at around 1600kg.

It does tend to roll a bit when cornering hard, but plenty of suspension travel and the thick sidewalls of the 16-inch alloys make for a comfortable ride regardless of surface.

Fuel consumption is a reasonable 7.3L/100km combined, which will give you a range of about 880km on the open road, and it’s rated to tow a braked 1.8 tonnes.

The Tiguan 118TSI is a quiet and comfortable drive, and everything you touch feels like excellent quality.