Volkswagen Tiguan SE 2.0 TDI 4Motion (168bhp)

“Volkswagen’s Tiguan broadens
its appeal as two-wheel drive models
and more engine options are added
to the UK line-up...”

PEOPLE WILL GO ON BUYING SUVs or 4x4 vehicles despite the recession — of that, according to motor industry analysts, there is no doubt. What customers are doing is downsizing; moving from large heavyweight 4x4s such as Range Rovers, Discoveries, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Shoguns and so on to an increasing number of medium-sized models. Many of these are new to the market, such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Renault Koleos and Volvo XC60.

There are a considerable number of people who still want — and can afford — the versatility an SUV provides. Reasons to buy include up-market image, seating and load carrying combinations, the added safety and driveability afforded by all-wheel drive plus perceived better passenger safety because of the higher seating positions away from other traffic.

The last official figures for sales of SUVs and 4x4s in the UK show the market down by 16.5 per cent, double the fall overall of new car sales. However, driven by these new model additions, medium-sized SUV sales are down by just 1.2 per cent — helped considerably by manufacturers continuing to introduce additional models to make sure there is a version to suit every pocket.

From the figures I've seen, the medium-size sector is now headed by the Nissan Qashqai range, followed by the Honda CR-V, Land Rover Freelander, Toyota RAV4 and then the relatively-new Tiguan. The VW newcomer has already established itself ahead of the Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, BMW X3 and Ford Kuga but as yet the other exciting newcomer, the Volvo XC60, is too new to have made an impression in its few first weeks of UK sales.

VW expect to sell around 10,500 Tiguan vehicles in the UK this year and of these over 85% will be diesel models; SE trim will be the most popular (accounting for 30% of registrations) and just 5% of buyers will opt for the Escape trim which is biased towards off-road usage.

So what is so good about the VW Tiguan? For a start, its compact size — at 4,427mm in length it is no larger than a medium-sized five-door hatchback, estate or MPV, so it is user friendly in towns and cities. Another sound reason to buy is the recently enlarged range of engine options and the little publicised addition of two-wheel drive variants.

Now priced from Ł18,605 in two-wheel drive form (or Ł19,605 with 4Motion all-wheel drive) they are not much more expensive than a well equipped hatch or estate of comparative size. With the latest fuel- and CO2-efficient VW family engines, the Tiguan costs only a shade more to run. A price well worth paying, some customers will feel, for a vehicle which retains the beloved SUV 'must-have' image with passenger and load carrying versatility and high off the ground accommodation.

To cover all engine requirements, especially in the fleet and business car sectors, Volkswagen has just added three additional units to the original engine line-up of the 1.4-litre TSI 148bhp supercharger/turbocharger direct injection petrol and 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp common-rail turbodiesel engines. MotorBar has already reviewed the 138bhp 2.0 TDI model in both manual and auto spec: VW Tiguan SE 2.0 TDI 4Motion and VW Tiguan SE 2.0 TDI 4Motion Tiptronic.

The three new powerplants are 2.0-litre TSI 168bhp and 197bhp turbocharged petrol units and a 2.0-litre 168bhp TDI turbocharged diesel. Add to that the new two-wheel drive option for the S level of specification, the increased availability of the tiptronic auto transmission, S, SE, Sport and Escape levels of trim plus added cost equipment options, and the Tiguan range is very comprehensive with logical steps up the financial ladder to a maximum price of Ł24,435.

Another praiseworthy feature of the Tiguan, in addition to its sensible size, is the driving dynamics. We expect excellent handling characteristics from VW hatchbacks with compliant suspension set-ups and sharp responsive steering. The Tiguan has all these: it feels much sharper than the average bulky SUV and it is very agile; even sporty. The 1.4-litre 148bhp petrol and 2.0-litre 138bhp diesel units available from launch covered all needs — I thought. If I was a private buyer covering six to eight thousand miles a year I'd still buy the small petrol engine because it has got loads of torque and isn't underpowered. If I was covering higher mileages, the economical 138bhp diesel is perfectly fine and to be recommended. However, company money talks so the engine options have been extended. I've just be trying the new 2.0-litre 168bhp TDI Tiguan 4Motion with a 6-speed manual gearbox and SE trim priced at Ł22,935.

Yes this is Ł900 more than my recommended 138bhp TDI model with the same SE specification and a sizeable chunk of money for 30bhp more horsepower and 22lb ft more torque. The 168bhp unit's extra power gives the Tiguan a top speed of 125mph instead of 115mph, and 0-62mph takes 8.9 seconds instead of 11.2 seconds. The combined cycle fuel economy for the 168bhp unit is 40.4mpg instead of 40.9mpg and CO2 emissions are 185g/km instead of 182g/km — so both have a Ł170 VED cost. However, for company car users, the 168bhp Tiguan is one tax bracket higher with a 28% Benefit in Kind cost. On these grounds, it's not justifiable for many cash-strapped motorists.

I admit I liked having the use of the extra power and the punch of the bigger engine on occasions. I live in the country where winding and hilly roads are ideally negotiated with power-in-hand for quick overtaking. But on open roads, motorways or, increasingly, on gridlocked urban streets, the smaller 138bhp engine is fine and a better financial bet.

Whatever the choice of engine, the Tiguan is a well balanced, compact SUV package. It is no Freelander-beater off-road, but it certainly is for on-road driving. It has five doors, seats five people, has a load capacity up to 1,510 litres and an impressive braked towing capacity of 2,500kg, so it is ideal for caravanners, boat owners and for lugging horseboxes.

Add in the high safety specification included as standard, all-wheel drive, the renowned VW medium-sized car handling abilities, high build quality and the easy-to-drive, easy-to-park nature and it's a competent and recommendable product. I also recommend the excellent Park Assist option at Ł450. Not only does it find a street-side parking space for you, it automatically backs the Tiguan into the space — brilliant.

The Tiguan really is hard to fault. Some may consider it expensive against a few others in this sector and its off-road abilities — not really a major priority anyway — are limited and besides, its more than good enough on enough for fields and tracks. Larger door mirrors would be welcome but apart from that it's all good points starting with the Tiguan's desirable image and continuing with the good build quality, the wide range of engine and specification options, sharp handling, comfortable ride, spacious load carrying ability and excellent maximum towing weight for its size. And the amazingly useful Park Assist option. — David Miles

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