What's the difference?
The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is likely to be the most important new vehicle Volkswagen launches in 2025.
The popular mid-sizer has proven to have impressive staying power for the brand, with the outgoing version still impressing buyers despite being nearly a decade old.
What does this ground-up new version change? Does it have what it takes to maintain the nameplate’s reputation in one of Australia’s most hotly contested market segments? And what are some surprises this time around?
We went to its local launch to find out.
The meteoric rise of the Chinese-owned MG brand continues with the HS, a family-focused SUV stepping into the most hotly contested segment in Australia.
When the first generation HS arrived in December 2019, it should have been MG’s big sales driver, yet it sat in the shadows of the cut-price MG3 hatch and ZS small SUV as they lifted the storied MG badge into Australia’s overall top-10 sellers.
The HS has so far been MG’s missing link and that’s down to the segment being full of such strong name plates such as the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. The mid-size SUV has also been the focus of other strong value rivals that were better, namely the GWM Haval H6.
The new Tiguan is as confident as ever in its identity, even in such a crowded mid-size SUV space where there are so many models worthy of your attention.
No matter which version you choose, this is still the mid-size SUV for a driving enthusiast who doesn’t quite have premium dollars to spend.
While it may not quite expand its appeal as much as the brand hopes precluding a hybrid variant, those who are choosing this as their family hauler for the right reasons won’t be disappointed.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
There are a few niggles with the latest MG HS, for example the annoying driver-attention monitoring and expensive maintenance costs. We’ve not had a full sample of its open-road performance yet either, which may prove more telling.
Yet the HS is shaping up to be one of the most successful product updates of recent years, second only to, I don’t know, the MG3? The family SUV is also backed by a 10-year warranty and, despite the drastic improvements, doesn’t cost a whole lot more than before.
The entry-level Vibe is our pick, there's no need to spend more. It features all manner of safety equipment and a quiet drive but with cloth upholstery that doesn't get all sticky and sweaty in the Australian climate.
The end of 2024 is the tipping point where MG goes from cheap and cheerful to a real headache for established players. Perhaps not for the strongest in the segment like the RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail, but the HS is now an easy car to recommend for a family looking for a spacious SUV that drives their dollar further. The hybrid will boost appeal further when it arrives next year.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.