2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the first generation VW Tiguan between 2008 and 2014 as a used buy. The neat SUV fits long-limbed occupants and has variants to suit most owners. New As sales of SUVs started to soar, Volkswagen wasted little time producing its own. Badged the Tiguan and launched in 2008, it gave SUV buyers the

NEW Virtually every segment in the car market has become a hotbed of intense competition with rival carmakers doing everything in their power to win over car buyers with newer and better models, but none is more competitive than the SUV segment. Love 'em or loathe 'em there's no doubting the fact that the SUV has

Volkswagen's Tiguan compact SUV has been a big hit since it arrived back in 2007

Volkswagen Australia have thrown a two-wheel drive wagon into the Tiguan mix, looking to maintain the momentum of these compact soft-roaders in one of the country's brightest sales segments.The all-paw Tiguan has been one of Volkswagen's bread-and-butter products since introduction here in 2008. Sales topped 6000 last year and look headed toward a bigger year in 2011; the Tiguan, Golf and Polo are VW's major volume winners.Now the wagon range has been refreshed with some style tweaks, extra fuel-saving technology for some models plus a front-drive version with the 1.4-litre 118TSi engine and six-speed manual (for now) from a keen $28,490.There are already a number of two-wheel drive wagons here - Mitsubishi's ASC, the Rav4, Holden Captiva, Sportage and Nissan X-Trail among them.The Tiguans' advantage, says VW marketing manager Jutta Friese, is the reputation for German engineering, the wagons to be marketed across the board with the line "get a taste for quality".VALUEThe front-drive Tiguan is the big news here, giving VW a starter under $30,000 for the six-speed manual; the auto DSG transmission due next year will likely add around $2500.But the entry-level wagon misses for little over the rest of the range, all with decent dynamics, great engines, all packed with safety and convenience features and all German-built.DESIGNThere are few style or design changes here. The Tiguan's grille and front end has been reworked to bear similarities to big brother Touareg, rear taillights also now closer in style to the Touareg. Interiors remain as before aside from new seat upholstery.SAFETYThe previous Tiguan scored a five-star rating in European NCAP tests. There's two front airbags, two side bags and two head/thorax bags plus any number of electronic driver aids from ABS to electronic diff lock.TECHNOLOGYThe VW empire allows for even these family wagons to carry a host of today's technology from seven-speed auto DSG transmissions to Bluetooth phone connectivity.BlueMotion, fuel-saving technologies on the 103TDI and 118TSI two-wheel drive include VW's stop-start system; new here on the two litre 103TDI DSG only is a (switchable) `Coasting Function', declutching the engine and allowing the vehicle to roll under its own momentum.A fatigue detection system, which analyses a driver's characteristic behaviour at the wheel and then warns of deviations, is fitted to the top-flight 155TSI.DRIVINGThe front-drive Tiguan should satisfy a number of today's families. While there's just the six-speed manual for now  and the 1.4 litre turbo engine does not punch quite like the bigger engines  the cheapest wagon misses out on little in the way of comfort, versatility and dynamic drive.Indeed on some back roads the ride comfort bettered that of others in the range. It is a willing engine, as are all in this mob, and handled two big blokes with ease.Off the bitumen, down a bush track, the Tiguans are the equal of any in this class; perhaps a little better with all the electronic traction aids and VW's long-established, well-refined 4Motion drive system.A proper handbrake lever, rather than the Tiguans' electro-mechanical parking brake, would be appreciated in the manual VWs when off in the scrub.VERDICTThere are a swag of competent soft-roaders on the market; the Tiguans boast some of the segment's best engines plus that Volkswagen badge plus German engineering and build quality. The front-drive version widens the appeal.RATINGVOLKSWAGEN TIGUANPrice: from $28,490 to $42,990Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale: 75 per centEngines: 1.4 litre petrol, 118kW/240Nm; 2 litre turbo diesel,103kW/320Nm; 2 litre petrol,132kW/280Nm; 2 litre petrol,155kW/280NmSafety equipment: Six airbags, ABS, ASR,ESP. Five-star crash rating (previous Tiguan)Transmissions: Front drive, all-wheel drive, 6-speed manual, 7-speed DSGDimensions: 4427mm(L), 1809mm (W),1686mm (H),2605mm (WB)Ground clearance: 195mmTowing capacity: 1800kg to 2000kg.

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.

The Tiguan faces fresh competition in the compact SUV market and Volkswagen has responded with a mid-life overhaul that brings the capable soft-roader back to the top of the class.The changes are much more than skin deep. There are now seven engines (three diesels and four petrols) with improved fuel use along with a suite of potentially life-saving technology that has flowed down from the luxury models in the VW Group.VW Australia spokesman Karl Gehling said the company is still evaluating which drivetrain combinations will make it Down Under, the only confirmed engine is the 155kW 2-litre petrol lifted from the Golf to replace the 147kW donk that now sits at the top of the range.As a result the company has yet to set prices for the cars, which will go on sale in Australia in October or November.VALUEGehling admitted VW is keen on an entry level front-wheel drive model to give it a direct competitor to the two-wheel drives from the likes of Hyundai ix35 and Toyota RAV4.That should translate into a $30,000 starter price. All front-wheel Tiguans and one of the AWD models will carry the BlueMotion badges indicating they're particularly fuel efficient thanks to features such as stop-start engine technology and regenerative braking.The inside is virtually unchanged from last September's local update that included the button-loaded three-spoke steering wheel. It's a typical VW layout - black plastics that feel better than most in the class and which past experience shows to be easy to keep clean. A few touches of chrome around the controls reinforce the understated look.The AWD Tiguan will still be the only car in its class sold in versions biased for on and off-road use. The road-focused car has an 18 degree front approach angle; choose the off-roader and that rises to 28 degrees. They're easy to spot - the off-roader ditches the deep air intake in favour of a smaller unit atop an engine bash plate.One thing that hasn't changed is the boot space. It's still not close to class-leading and will cost the Tiguan sales when growing families realise they'll struggle to load a double pram and the associated baby bits into the back.A deep tray under the cargo floor has pockets that will store wet and dirty shoes and clothes for the run home. It lifts out and can be hosed down. It's clever, but not particularly sturdy which may affect its durability - Ford's Territory does it better. It also replaces the spare tyre - there's a puncture repair kit in one of the side pockets.DRIVINGThe Tiguan has always been one of the more capable soft-roaders and the updates have improved the experience.The really good stuff, though, lies in the options catalogue - adaptive damping that firms the suspension for a quick fang or soften the bumps when the baby's asleep, systems that detect driver fatigue, warn when the car drifts out of its lane and can even park the compact SUV.Climbing 2.5km up the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria proved the versatility of the 132kW petrol engine mated to the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.It never laboured though the 48km run, in constrast to the six-speed manual and 125kW turbodiesel Carsguide was driving.The diesel/manual combo couldn't keep up - the gap between second and third gears dropped the Tiguan out of the torque curve and meant it struggled to keep pace with its petrol sibiling.There wasn't any problem negotiating the 36 curves in either car. The steering is light, but carmakers obviously think that's right for this segment, because all soft-roaders drive like it.Body roll is another feature of the compact SUV class but the Tiguan has less of it than some rivals. It was noticeable but didn't upset the suspension and the cars either tracked true or progressively understeered with a whine of the tyres if entry speed was too high.At autobahn speeds the car was quiet and poised with only the distant rush of wind over the roof racks giving any indication we were travelling at 200km/h.The seating position isn't as upright as many in the class, which is a blessing and between the height and reach adjustable steering and height adjustable seat there was never an issue in finding a comfortable driving position.VERDICTClean styling and solid performance will give the Tiguan a deserved kick up the sales charts. Prices aren't set but it should continue the VW approach of tempting buyers with European cachet at Japanese and South Korean prices.VOLKSWAGEN TIGUANPrice: $29,990 (2WD, estimate)Warranty: Three years, unlimited kmService intervals: 15,000km/one yearCrash rating: Five starsEngines: Three 2-litre turbodiesels, 1.4-litre turbo petrol, 1.4-litre "twin-charge" (turbo and supercharged) petrol, two 2-litre turbo petrolPower/torque: Diesels: 81kW/280Nm, 103kW/320Nm, 125kW/350Nm. Petrols: 90kW/200Nm, 118kW/240Nm, 132kW/280Nm, 155kW/280NmTransmissions: Six-speed manual, seven-speed DSG autoBody: Five-door wagonDimensions: Length 4426mm (on-road) 4433mm (on-road); width 1809mm, height 1703mmWeight: 1641-1695kgThirst: 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).