Volkswagen Tiguan 2WD 2011 review
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Many competitors are now offering cheaper two-wheel models and the move will enable the company to offer the offroader at a price expected to be less than $30,000.
VALUE
At present, the Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $33,990 plus on road costs.
Explore the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan range
To put this in perspective, earlier this month Honda cut the price of many models including the CR-V by almost $3000 — to $28,090. Launched in 2007 (2008 in Australia) the Golf-based Tiguan competes in the fiercely contested compact sports utility segment, the fastest growing segment of the market. In the three short years, it has grown to be Volkswagen's number two selling car eclipsed only by the perennial Golf.
Sales have slipped however and VW has sent for the doctor, with a comprehensive mid-life makeover for Tiguan that sees the adoption of the Golf's new family face, as well as engine and equipment changes.
The new model is not expected to arrive until later this year, but we got a taste of things to come this week in Germany.
TECHNOLOGY
Tiguan is currently offered with a range of two diesel and one petrol engines, all of them force fed — but all seven alternatives are being evaluated. The 103kW and 125kW turbo diesels are likely to carry over while the 155kW turbocharged petrol engine will replace the 147kW unit. But, there's also an 81kW diesel, along with 90kW, 118kW and 132kW petrol engines under consideration.
The intriguing question is which if any will power the entry level two-wheel drive model that we're told is "under consideration" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more).
We drove four variants in Germany including the 132kW and 118kW petrol engines, if that is any indication. The twin-charged 1.4-litre 118TSI engine is a contender, but if price is the main criteria don't rule out the 90kW 1.4 with its single turbocharger. Then again, the off-roader is 300kg heavier than a Golf.
VW for its part is neither confirming nor denying anything, including the price.
DRIVING
On the road the new Tiguan has a greater road presence and offers strong performance and sure-footed grip — at least in all-wheel drive form. Our impromptu drive program took in the famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road, with its breakthtaking mountain vistas.
The road connects Salzburg with Carinthia, rising 2504m through the Austrian Alps, following a winding course that stretches 48km and includes 36 numbered bends — a challenge to cars and bikes alike (both motorised and unmotorised).
You can't have too much power and the range topping 155kW petrol model proved a clear favourite with its seven speed DSG gearbox. But the low revving 125kW turbo diesel, even in manual form, was in its element at high speed on the Autobahn where it purred along using as little as 7.7 litres/100km.
The twin-charged 118TSI model with its turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine was also smooth and impressive. Towing capacity rises from 2000 to 2500kg with the new model and for the first time Tiguan is also available with the XDS electronic differential lock to aid in traction.
Other new features include Fatigue Detection, Light assist, Lane Assist and the latest version of Park Assist.
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
Price: $29,990 (2WD, estimate)
Warranty: Three years, unlimited km
Service intervals: 15,000km/one year
Crash rating: Five stars
Engines: Three 2-litre turbodiesels, 1.4-litre turbo petrol, 1.4-litre "twin-charge" (turbo and supercharged) petrol, two 2-litre turbo petrol
Power/torque: Diesels: 81kW/280Nm, 103kW/320Nm, 125kW/350Nm. Petrols: 90kW/200Nm, 118kW/240Nm, 132kW/280Nm, 155kW/280Nm
Transmissions: Six-speed manual, seven-speed DSG auto
Body: Five-door wagon
Dimensions: Length 4426mm (on-road) 4433mm (on-road); width 1809mm, height 1703mm
Weight: 1641-1695kg
Thirst: Diesels: 5.3 litres/100km, 139g/km; 6.3 lites/100km, 167g/km; 6-litres/100km, 158g/km. Petrols: 6.5 litres/100km, 152g/km; 6.7 litres/100km, 156g/km; 8.5 litres/100km, 199g/km (132kW and 155kW variants).
Pricing guides
Range and Specs
Vehicle | Specs | Price* | |
---|---|---|---|
125 TSI | 2.0L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO | $9,790 – 13,420 | 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 125 TSI Pricing and Specs |
103 TDI | 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SP MAN | $8,800 – 12,320 | 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 103 TDI Pricing and Specs |
147 TSI | 2.0L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO | $9,240 – 12,980 | 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 147 TSI Pricing and Specs |
118 TSI (4X2) | 1.4L, PULP, 6 SP MAN | $8,140 – 11,440 | 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 118 TSI (4X2) Pricing and Specs |
$5,500
Lowest price, based on 81 car listings in the last 6 months