Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI 2012 review

Be assured, this little SUV is more appealing than its name, allegedly a mix of tiger and iguana (that pairing beggars belief) but strange name aside, the Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV rep from Volkswagen has what it takes to compete in the crowded market.

At last count, 25 current models pop up on the VFACTS car sales tally for this segment - which makes it close to the busiest of the market.

This is the entry-level model if you want four-wheel drive - there's a 118TSI front-wheel drive if you want to be more image than all-wheel-driven - and yet the 132TSI has a half-decent features list.

Tiguan 132TSI 6 Speed Manual $33,490, Tiguan 132TSI 7 Speed DSG $35,990 It sits on 16in alloy wheels (with Hankook rubber) and has heated/power adjustable door mirrors, remote central locking, cruise control, a Bluetooth phone and audio link for the eight-speaker sound system (although it has the cable instead of a simple USB port), cloth trim, manual air conditioning (with rear air vents), a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a sliding 60/40 split rear bench.

TECHNOLOGY

Top of the pops here is the little engine that could - an alloy-block 16-valve powerplant with direct-injection and a low-pressure turbocharger. It's shared with the range flagship - which has it wound up to 155kW of power - but with 132kW and 280Nm has plenty of pep in this tune.

The two-litre turbo four (which prefers 95RON) lays claim to an 8.3 second sprint to 100km/h and a combined-cycle fuel use claim of 8.7l/100km. The Tiguan also has a brake energy recovery system to charge to the car's battery slowing down and braking using the alternator, which lowers the load placed on the engine.

VW says the four-wheel drive system runs mainly front-drive (the rear axle only gets 10 per cent under normal conditions) but the new system doesn't require speed differences to up the amount of rear-end involvement. The multi-plate clutch system (integrated in the rear differential) and an electric pump are controlled by an electronic control unit and the system operates on axle and independent of any wheelspin and nearly all the drive can be sent aft.

DESIGN

The pen strokes from the designers were rarely unaccompanied by a ruler  - an accusation that can be levelled at much of the current VW range. The family resemblance makes the Tiguan a strong, conservative looking vehicle, which looks a little bigger than stats suggest.

That impression doesn't continue inside - the cabin is on the small side but there's enough room for four adults - cargo space is not abundant but helped by the sliding (and reclining) second row of seats - cargo space is 395 litres, rising to 470 litres (or 1510 litres if you fold the seats) if you can push the rear seats towards the front.

SAFETY

The Tiguan carries a five-star NCAP rating, thanks to a safety features list that includes dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags, stability control (with anti-rollover function), lap-sash seatbelts for all five occupants, a hillstart assist function and auto brake hold but, sadly, only a temporary skinny spare tyre.

DRIVING

The baby Volksy SUV exudes a solid feeling, with VW claiming it's laser-welded structure has class-leading torsional rigidity. It was something of a surprise packet on and off the bitumen - nipping around town, the ride quality was firm but not beyond a comfortable level.

The powerplant is punchy - a good-mid range but it's not averse to a trip to the top of the rev range. The gearshift action itself is clean but a couple of times the gates were missed - given the small number of people likely to go for the cheaper manual, it may not have been high on the priority list compared to the DSG when it came to transmission development budget.

Get away from metropolitan area onto curvy country roads (sealed and unsealed) and the little VW shows reasonable body control (for an SUV) in the bends and no wheelspin out of tight corners - the Haldex all-wheel drive system has a front-drive bias but it's more pro-active than the earlier incarnations. The only cause for concern is the low-slung snout, which might not have many fans (except at VW spare parts) if the Tiguan went bush.

VERDICT

Given the most challenging terrain most compact SUVs will find themselves traversing is a wet school oval during a fete set-up, the Tiguan is going to fit the bill. While it has decent clearance, it is offset by a low nose, but it's manners on sealed and unsealed surface put it at the pointy end of the field. A comfortable and quiet interior, with a punchy and frugal drivetrain.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 132TSI

Price: from $33,490
Warranty: 3 years, unlimited km
Resale: 54% Source: Glass's Guide
Service Interval: 15,000km or 12-months
Economy: 8.7 l/100km, on test 10.6, tank 64 litres; 204g/km CO2
Safety: six airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control.
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 132kW/280Nm 2-litre 16-valve DOHC direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual (optional seven-speed twin-clutch automated manual), all-wheel drive
Body: 5-door, 5 seats 
Dimensions: 4427mm (L); 1809mm (W); 1686mm (H); 2605mm (WB)
Weight: 1616kg
Tyre size: 215/65 on 16in
Spare tyre: Space saver