Overview
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that’s considerably smaller than nearly all its direct rivals, including hugely popular models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan XTrail. If you plan on zipping around city centers and want a higher-riding vehicle that’s a cinch to parallel park, the Tiguan could be your ideal choice. Agile steering and a peppy 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine contribute to the Tiguan’s light and breezy attitude. But by being smaller, the Tiguan also delivers far less cargo space than its key competitors. It’s also one of the most fuel-thirsty vehicles in its segment, which could be a serious deal breaker for many SUV shoppers.
What’s New for 2017?
Volkswagen has done a lot of trim and option reshuffling on the 2017 Tiguan, though the same basic blueprint remains the same. Gone are the SE and R-Line trims, which are replaced by the Wolfsburg and Sport models. A panoramic sunroof is one of the standard perks with higher trim levels, while the Sport boasts a stiffer suspension, 18-inch alloys, and body-colored rear bumper and side sills. Also, the base Tiguan now has an upgraded infotainment system.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The sole powertrain in the Tiguan is a turbocharged 200-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s paired to a six-speed automatic and your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. This is an energetic engine that’s nicely matched to the Tiguan’s taut ride and agile handling. We wouldn’t call is sporty, although the Tiguan is a cut above many larger rivals that feel ponderous in tighter driving confines. Problems arise when you look at the fuel-mileage numbers posted by the Tiguan, however. This is one of the thirstiest compact SUVs available and, worse still, Volkswagen recommends a diet of premium unleaded. Sticking with the standard front-wheel drive configuration only improves mileage by one solitary MPG during highway driving, so there’s not much point in skipping all-wheel drive.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Depending on your point of view, the cabin of the Tiguan is either minimalistic and airy, or a little sparse and dour. It’s true that rivals like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 have plusher cabins with richer materials, but the Tiguan boasts excellent outward visibility and a dashboard where every major control is within easy reach. Higher trims do add such niceties as heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. Space in the second row is okay for average-sized adults, though legroom is snug for taller people. Cargo room is also something of a sore subject, since the Tiguan has only about 24 cubic feet of room behind the rear split-folding seatback. For comparison, the CR-V offers nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo volume.
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