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Pros: Quality, comfort, practicality.
Cons: Expensive, fiddly touchscreen controls.
Volkswagen Tiguan Design
The third generation of the Tiguan sees quite a dramatic change to its styling. There’s a whiff of ID.4 to the new front end and though it’s roughly the same dimensions as the outgoing model, it seems a bit chunkier overall.
There are a few trims on offer, including the top of the range R Line tested here. It features high-tech matrix LED headlights just like the flagship Touareg, connected by a new light strip. R Line models also get sportier bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels, lashings of chrome and a large air intake with glossy black mesh finish. It lacks the refined elegance of the previous model but in an eye-catching colour like Persimmon Red Metallic, it will turn heads.
Volkswagen Tiguan Interior
The cabin has also been transformed with a minimalist look dominated by a large touchscreen (12.9-inch standard or optional 15-inch) running Volkswagen’s newest software and crisp full digital driver display. Though the screen looks great with bright, colourful menus, it would leave you wanting for a few extra buttons and dials to control simple things like the ventilation. This is all done through the touchscreen like in other Volkswagens. There is voice control and a new rotary dial with its own mini screen on the centre console. It can be used to adjust the radio volume, driving modes or background lighting colours – but it can be just as frustrating to use.
Otherwise, it’s well-appointed with good quality plastics and soft furnishings to feel a cut above most of its rivals. It’s also a bit more glam than before with ambient lighting that lights up the glossy black panels in the dashboard and doors to great effect. R Line models stand out with gorgeous sports seats with integrated headrests and subtle blue trim. They are heated and offer a massage function, though there's no power adjustment. Other features include wireless smartphone charging for two phones and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel.
The new Tiguan is about 3cm longer than the model it replaces, which means there’s even more boot space than before – up to 652 litres, with the rear seats pushed forward, making it one of the best in class. There’s loads of rear legroom and headroom, with plenty of practical features like USB-C ports, tri-zone climate control and pockets in the back of the front seats.
Volkswagen Tiguan Performance & Drive
The new Tiguan is available in Ireland with the choice of a 2.0-litre diesel 7-speed automatic or a plug-in hybrid with an EV driving range in the region of 100 kilometres. The diesel is a tried and trusted engine found in many of the Volkswagen Group’s cars and SUVs. Here it puts out 150hp and offers good economy of between 5.3 and 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres over mixed roads, though consumption can be considerably less on the motorway. It is noisy at low speeds around town but it moves up through the gears smoothly and settles down well to a cruise. Diesel is fast disappearing from the compact SUV segment, so the Tiguan is one of the last still offering a decent diesel.
Elsewhere, the Tiguan proves to be a good all-rounder with its smooth and agile handling, refinement and comfort. Our test car was fitted with the optional Dynamic Chassis Control, which gives more adjustability between comfort and sportiness but the R Line’s large wheels have a tendency to ride harshly over imperfections in the road surface. There’s also road noise at high speeds on the motorway.
Volkswagen Tiguan Pricing
The Tiguan diesel goes on sale priced from €48,095 in the entry level Life trim, from €48,295 for the Launch Edition, from €57,095 for the Elegance and from €58,150 for the R Line. The petrol plug-in hybrid is available in Elegance or R Line trim and starts from €54,250.
Carzone Verdict
The Tiguan diesel is now one of the last of its kind on sale and doesn't really rock the boat, still offering decent levels of refinement and economy. It's quite expensive though, particularly for the diesel R Line tested here. But it has the bases well covered and the Tiguan's familiar blend of space, comfort and quality make it a very sensible buy.