Is the brand new VW Tiguan the right household SUV?

Owning Audi, Skoda, Seat and Porsche (to call a number of), the VW group isn’t any small participant within the automotive world.

Yet, since 2018, it is the Tiguan that has been the best-selling mannequin of not simply Volkswagen vary however throughout the complete auto group.

So the arrival of a brand new one is a really large deal – particularly to VW bosses.

Now the third era mannequin is right here, can it’s much more universally favored that its predecessor? We take a look at drove the much-loved household SUV on the worldwide launch in Nice, France, to search out out…

Why is the VW Tiguan so standard?

There’s no denying that Britain’s new automobile consumers are fixated with SUV. Either there’s one thing within the water, or there is a very robust case of individuals maintaining with the jacked-up Jonses.

But to be truthful to Volkswagen, it is without doubt one of the trendsetters on this section. 

In 2007, the German outfit launched its first compact SUV, setting its sights firmly on the market-leading Nissan Qashqai.

That SUV was the Tiguan, arriving as a much bigger and extra sensible household providing than the Golf, whereas conserving every part well refined as per VW’s ethos.

Almost 17 years later and with greater than 7.6 million models offered globally, it is protected to say VW made a superb transfer again within the mid-noughties.

Last yr, the Tiguan was the third hottest new VW purchased by drivers. When mixed with registrations of the bigger Tiguan Allspace, it out-sold the Golf and Polo.

There’s no query it is a vital new motor for the UK market. 

First impressions

Judged solely by the duvet and you’ll see the Tiguan’s seems have developed with fashionable developments however not radically – a superb factor for those who favored the previous variations, a nasty one for those who did not.

It is extra aggressive, sleeker and positively on the Elegance and R-Line trims extra athletic – however that is about as wild because it will get. 

If you need to toughen it up then the R-Line Black Style Package provides (unsurprisingly) black accents and extra privateness options.

What’s it prefer to drive?

Top significance for many drivers with a mid-sized SUV just like the Tiguan is consolation – for themselves and for passengers.

A variety of engines can be found for the 2024 mannequin.

These embrace: a 2.0-litre diesel (TDI), two gentle hybrid petrols (e-TSIs), two extra highly effective turbocharged petrols (TSIs) and two plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

On the launch in France, we drove the two.0-litre TDI and 1.5-litre eTSI – each with 148bhp. 

The eTSI has gentle hybrid help which improves gasoline financial system and efficiency – protecting 0 to 62mph in 9.1 seconds. It’s helpful if you need a fast spurt of velocity to drag out at a junction.

If you have pushed the earlier Tiguan you then’ll really feel straight at dwelling and. fairly truthfully, the driving expertise is nearly the identical – and that is by no means a nasty factor. 

Refined, on a regular basis cruising is definitely what you proceed to get from VW’s volume-selling SUV.

From winding mountain roads to the A8 motorway into Nice, each vehicles had been quiet and clean. 

You can flick between driving modes, however ‘Sport’ is not about to make you seem on Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive sequence. 

It stiffens the steering resistance a bit of and the suspension turns into a tad firmer, however the Tiguan typically is not amazingly communicative.

The seven-speed computerized gearbox made life simple, and the drive selector is now mounted on a stalk on the steering wheel column reasonably than within the centre console, which we choose for straightforward entry. 

The possibility of ‘4Motion’ all-wheel drive shall be out there later within the UK on the two.0-litre petrol engines, which is price choosing for those who tow a trailer, horsebox or caravan.

The large change within the Tiguan powertrains are the plug-in hybrids.

The all-electric vary doubles the previous automobile’s, supplying you with 62 miles of silent, exhaust-emission-free driving. 

Most vehicles on common drive 18 miles a day, so you have theoretically bought three days of use earlier than you want to cost.

And if you do must cost, VW has made life simpler.

The at-home charging velocity has elevated from 3.6kW to 11kW – this implies now you can totally cost from a wallbox in round 2 hours 45 minutes.

Public charging has additionally elevated – 50kW quick charging is now out there, with 10 to 80 per cent high ups in circa 23 minutes.

Interior and practicality

This is the place all the brand new enjoyable occurs within the newest interplay of VW’s main household SUV. 

The Tiguan, just like the 2024 Passat, has had an inside makeover. And we find it irresistible.

The TDI got here within the Elegance Trim, and the eTSI within the R-Line trim – there’s not masses between them however the R-Line is probably the most luxurious with sportier particulars and leather-based seats.

The headline grabber is the brand new ambient sprint with 30 colourways – VW dubs them ‘atmospheres’ – and a central 15-inch infotainment touchscreen (12.9-inch on decrease trims). 

Depending in your generosity of spirit, you may select to harass or appease folks together with your music style by coordinating Spotify playlists with explicit atmospheres.

The VW system is a bit of private gripe when it comes to usability however it could actually’t be denied it is responsive. 

Of course you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ChatGPT AI voice command will come as an replace.

And, properly, Volkswagen listened to the plenty who wished analogue again, changing the touchpads on the steering wheel controls with buttons to work in tandem with the 10-inch digital dials.

Impressively VW has managed to get state-of-the-art proper with out it being too empty – it is not devoid of emotion like some very medical minimal interiors. 

Especially for those who’re a passenger wanting to twist up and really feel at dwelling, the consolation degree combined with the good end makes you immediately relaxed.

It’s not probably the most unbelievably luxurious inside of any SUV – not like a Range Rover – nevertheless it’s nonetheless high-quality contemplating you are paying about £6,000 lower than you’ll for an equal Evoque.

The extraordinarily snug but nicely-firm seats made a number of hours of driving very fulfilling and even when the right seat is as subjective as the last word pillow or mattress, these must get approval all-round.

The entrance therapeutic massage seats within the Elegance and R-Trims – that may apparently goal muscle tissue teams within the backbone and pelvic ground – are nice for the one who snagged shotgun. 

For the driving force, nonetheless, that is one for a service station refresh – the feeling is so bewildering it fully diverts your consideration.

I did not utilise the heated seats in 20 diploma sunny Nice, however the air flow possibility will turn out to be useful that one week of the yr the UK’s hotter than each Jet2 vacation spot in Europe.

In phrases of practicality, the Tiguan is barely taller, wider and longer so rear passengers have loads of head and legroom, and there is simply area for 5 within the again. 

But the actual winner for households is the rise in boot capability – up 37-litres on the outgoing mannequin to 652 litres. The Qashqai falls far behind with simply 504.

Drive protected

For mother and father, naturally automobile security is of paramount significance.

The Tiguan does an excellent job right here it doesn’t matter what trim you get. 

Even the bottom spec will get rear aspect airbags, plus a further entrance centre airbag, and quite a few security assists together with lane change help, emergency braking and a rear view digicam.

By the time you get to the R-Line trim you barely want you employ your mind.

From succinctly named Park Assist Plus with Park Distance Control (basically cellular managed distant parking) to oncoming automobile swerve help and drowsiness monitoring, you are in very protected arms.

The vehicles & motoring verdict

It can be onerous to think about VW ever going horribly fallacious with the Tiguan, and positively that hasn’t occurred with the 2024 mannequin. 

And contemplating the electrical way forward for VW, it is not shocking that the PHEV is the focus.

Prices begin from £34,060, the Elegance is available in at £39,275 and the R-Line at £39,680. 

That places it across the identical value because the Audi Q3, and greater than the entry degree Nissan Qashqai at £27,120.

Volkswagen has with out query performed issues protected by making the Tiguan look, really feel and drive acquainted, however there is no denying you get much more inside on your cash than you probably did within the earlier model – and, given its recognition, is there any level in fixing one thing that is not damaged within the first place?

It’s gross sales success has all the time been pushed by it is impartial traits. No-one’s up in arms about something Tiguan-related, and it is much less flash than a BMW X1 or Mercedes GLB.

For a driver prioritising consolation and aesthetically-pleasing design, who desires go from the grocery store to the college gates, to the workplace, to France on vacation, it actually shall be a really fulfilling and versatile automobile to personal.

And that additional boot area places it proper on the high for practicality. Plus the 62-mile electrical vary from the PHEVs is a no brainer on your pockets, for those who can stretch your finances to the hybrid drivetrains.