The Volkswagen Tiguan is a medium SUV, also classed as a J-segment or compact crossover SUV, manufactured by Volkswagen over two generations since 2007. The early-generation Tiguans are a five-door five-seat affair, with the most recent Tiguan Allspace offering a three-row seven-seat configuration. Buyers can choose from three turbocharged petrol engines that send power to all four wheels through automatic gearboxes.
The name Tiguan is a play of two words—tiger and leguan (German for iguana)—a unique name created in the same tradition that Volkswagen baptised the Arteon and the Touran. There were mixed reactions to the tiger and iguana fusion. Many thought it was exotic, and thus exciting, while others found it ridiculous and cringed at the idea. Nevertheless, the Tiguans sold over 700,000 units in less than four years from launch. Not bad for a crossed creature.
Besides, a name can’t be more important than what the car offers. The high safety scores it got more than gave it the boost that it needed. The Australasian NCAP rated it 5 stars. The ANCAP evaluation shows that the Tiguan scored the highest in the aspect of adult occupant protection. Likewise, the Euro NCAP assessed it based on its safety-assist features and how it protected adult and child occupants and pedestrians, giving it an overall rating of 5/5 in 2009. It also got the nod of the US NHTSA which gave it a score of 4/5.
1st Generation: 2007–2017
Volkswagen showcased the Tiguan concept in 2006 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Volkswagen’s subsidiary in Wolfsburg, the Auto 5000, started producing the Tiguan, using the VW B6 or PQ46 platform. It is the same platform used for the VW Passat B6 and VW CC. In 2007, the production car came into fruition and debuted at the International Motor Show in Germany.
Powertrain
The production of the first-generation Tiguans took place in Germany, China, and Vietnam. During this early phase, Volkswagen offered the following range of powertrains, both petrol and diesel variants:
- 1.4L TSI (90 kW)
- 1.4L TSI (110 kW)
- 2.0L TSI (184 kW)
- 2.0L TSI (257 kW)
- 2.0L TDI (81 kW)
- 2.0L TDI (103 kW)
- 2.0L TDI (125 kW)
Transmissions were available in 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 6-speed DSG dual-clutch, and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch. However, the actual availability of these specs in the different markets was subject to country regulations and laws.
In Australia, these were the available powertrains from 2008-2010, all turbocharged 4-cylinder engines:
- 2.0L TDI I4 diesel engine, 6-speed auto or 6-speed manual (103 kW, 320 N⋅m)
- 2.0L TSI I4 petrol engine, 6-speed auto or 6-speed manual (125 kW, 280 N⋅m)
- 2.0L TSI I4 petrol engine, 6-speed auto or 6-speed manual (147 kW, 280 N⋅m)
In 2011, Volkswagen added three new turbocharged petrol engines to the existing ones:
- 1.4L TSI I4 petrol engine, 6-speed manual only (118 kW, 240 N⋅m) – in 4x2
- 2.0L TSI I4 petrol engine, 7-speed auto or 6-speed manual (132 kW, 280 N⋅m) – in 4x4
- 2.0L TSI I4 petrol engine, 7-speed automatic only (155 kW, 280 N⋅m) – in 4x4
In 2012, Volkswagen discontinued the 125-kW and 147-kW engines and introduced a new diesel powertrain in 2014 with the below specs:
· 2.0L TDI I4 diesel engine, 7-speed automatic only (130 kW, 380 N⋅m) – in 4x4
By 2015, all powertrains introduced in 2008 were discontinued. In 2016, the four existing engines and trims (those introduced from 2011-2014) overlapped with the new engine offerings of the new generation.
Trim levels
The base trim level of Tiguan does not excite but offers Volkswagen’s signature of refined elegance which distinguishes it from its competitors. The interior has soft-to-touch cushions, and the cabin effectively shuts off road noise. It is equipped with dual front, side, and head airbags, air conditioning, an 8-speaker radio/CD player, leather steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors, power steering, and power windows. The dashboard is thoughtfully organised, with all the controls, gauges, and trip computer within the driver’s easy reach and view.
Aside from the airbag package, it also comes with an impressive safety suite including anti-lock braking system, brake assist, cruise control, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stabilisation program, engine immobiliser, and traction control system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted safety tests on the Tiguan and rated it Well (the highest score that IIHS gives).
The second tier is offered with 17-inch alloy wheels (instead of the base 16-inch), fog lights, rear parking distance control, and sport seats. In 2011, the top tier package featured dusk-sensing headlights, CD with 6-CD stacker, fog lights, lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, reversing camera, tinted windows, and auto climate control with dual-temp zones in addition to the second-tier offering.
From the bare essentials that the Tiguan offered in 2008, its R-Line trim level came packed with premium features in 2014. This model dons 18-inch alloy wheels and comes equipped with higher-spec driver assistance features like adaptive damping control, electric parking brake, and reversing C. Leather upholstery, multi-function control screen, and a host of other trims.
2nd Generation: 2016–present
The second-generation Tiguan, aka Tiguan Mark II, is based on VW’s MGB platform and is built in short wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) versions. Not both SWB and LWB are available in all markets. In Australia, the SWB versions were first released in 2016 and marketed together with the previous-generation models, which were shorter by 76mm.
In 2018, the LWB models reached Australia and sold as Tiguan Allspace in various engine and trim combinations. The Allspace variants are longer by 109mm than their SWB counterpart. By this time, Volkswagen has already dropped all previous engines and has replaced them with an all-new range. Both short- and long-wheelbase models come with the following powertrain choices:
- 1.4L TSI I4 petrol engine, 6-speed auto or 6-speed manual (110 kW, 250 N⋅m) – 110 TSI
- 2.0L TDI I4 diesel engine, 7-speed automatic only (110 kW, 340 N⋅m) – 110 TDI
- 2.0L TSI I4 petrol engine, 7-speed automatic only (132 kW, 320 N⋅m) – 132 TSI
- 2.0L TDI I4 diesel engine, 7-speed automatic only (140 kW, 400 N⋅m) – 140 TDI
- 2.0L TSI I4 petrol engine, 7-speed automatic only (162 kW, 350 N⋅m) – 162 TSI
For the 2019 model year, all diesel options were discontinued, leaving only three petrol engines. The thing with these engines is that they are significantly more fuel-efficient than any previous engines used on the Tiguan. Buyers can choose from the following trim levels, which come with specified engines:
- Trendline – available in 110 TSI
- Comfortline – available in the 110 TSI, 132 TSI, Allspace 110 TSI, and Allspace 132 TSI
- R-Line – available in 132 TSI and Allspace 132 TSI
- Highline – available in 162 TSI and Allspace 162 TSI
- Wolfsburg Edition – available in 162 TSI
All Allspace spec levels refer to the model with the long-wheelbase (LWB), while the rest refer to SWB models. Please note that only three trim levels—Comfortline, R-Line, and Highline—are available in both short and long wheelbases. The Trendline base trim and the Wolfsburg Edition are both exclusively SWB.
The latest models all come with an 8-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, various ports, and touchscreen display, plus a host of features that enhance comfort and function.
The entry-level Trendline comes with cloth seat covers, 17-inch wheels, and all previous base trims offered in the first generation. It is available in a 110-kW engine which drives the front wheels through a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed auto.
The second-tier Comfortline adds SatNav and three-zone air conditioning to the basic trim package. Buyers also get to choose from two engines (110 kW and 132 kW) that give you access to all-wheel-drive and two wheelbase lengths (SWB and LWB). The LWB or Allspace variants feature a third row for a 7-seat option. Highline variants come shod with 19-inch alloys and equipped with adaptive chassis control, blind-spot monitoring, and intelligent cruise control.
Despite all these upmarket trappings, the real value of Tiguan is in its strong road-holding ability, fuel economy, comfort, and spaciousness. The Tiguan remains true to Volkswagen’s erstwhile design principles of simplicity, practicality, and value, and while it may not excite, it no doubt delivers the essentials.