With 2.8 million units sold since 2007, the new Volkswagen Tiguan is the “evolution of the species”, but does it have what it takes to survive? We were in Berlin to drive the new Volkswagen Tiguan and these are our first impressions behind the wheel.
The new Volkswagen Tiguan is about to celebrate 10 years in the market, has 2.7 million units sold and has its “natural habitat” in Europe, with 85% of sales being concentrated in the “old continent”. If 10 years ago the SUV market was a seething reality, today it is in total ecstasy. And what is it that interests us?
Volkswagen will enter the SUV war and promises by 2020 to offer an SUV “for each relevant segment”. In this upcoming battle, the Volkswagen Tiguan gives its first cry and gathers arguments to stand out from the other two proposals that will be placed below in the segment: it is bigger, safer but also lighter.
More and less
The new Volkswagen Tiguan is the first Volkswagen SUV to use the MQB platform, in this case the MQB II. This allowed Klaus Bischoff, the designer responsible for the new Volkswagen Tiguan, to follow a “more is less” philosophy when designing the new German model.The new Volkswagen Tiguan is 33 mm closer to the ground and 30 mm wider, the length has also increased by 60 mm. The new platform (MQB II) now allows for a longer wheelbase, with the Tiguan gaining 77 mm in this chapter. But these “boring” numbers are directly linked to what sets the new Volkswagen Tiguan apart from the previous generation.
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If the exterior dimensions are more generous, the same can be said of the interior, which offers more space for luggage and occupants. The trunk, now with a capacity of 615 liters, grows another 145 liters compared to the previous generation. There is no lack of space for our vacation bags, not even for the unnecessary stuff that we usually carry and never use. With the rear seats folded down, the available cargo space is 1655 liters.
Okay, but what does that have to do with “more is less”?
Despite all this increase in available space, exterior and interior, the new Volkswagen Tiguan presents renewed credentials in terms of efficiency. Starting with the drag coefficient of 0.32 Cx, 13% lower compared to the previous generation SUV. In terms of weight, the diet may not be so evident at first sight (-16 kg compared to the previous generation), but Volkswagen introduced another 66 kg of material in this generation, whose function ranges from safety, to a simple aesthetic element. In terms of torsional rigidity, there were also significant improvements, despite the larger width of the boot opening and even when equipped with a panoramic roof.
Renovated interior
Inside, the big news is the debut, in the Volkswagen compact segment, of the “Active Info Display” digital instrumentation, a 12.3-inch screen that replaces the traditional quadrant. Integrated in the completely redesigned cockpit, it was an exclusive Passat option and has an offroad mode here, where it is possible to obtain specific data for off-road use, such as inclination, compass, etc. At the driver's service there is also a head-up display, whose most relevant information, including navigation data, is laser projected onto a transparent retractable surface.
Connectivity
At a time when the watchword is “connectivity”, the new Volkswagen Tiguan does not refuse to go down that path and offers the latest integration solutions for smartphones and online services: Apple Car Play and Android Auto are available.
The radio's touchscreen screen is available in two sizes (5 and 8 inches) and another novelty, which we had already tried on the new VW Touran, is the CAM Connect system, which allows the integration of a GoPro camera.
Comfort
The seats are completely new and despite the necessary weight reduction (-20% lighter), the Volkswagen Tiguan offers greater comfort compared to the previous generation. The climate control is tri-zone and includes an air quality sensor and filters to reduce allergies or the entry of polluting gases into the cabin.Volkswagen has placed performance and efficiency at the top of the agenda, alongside safety and efficiency. A conflict of interest that is difficult to manage? Not really.
Safety
Safety first. In terms of safety, the new Volkswagen Tiguan offers 7 airbags as standard, including a driver's knee airbag. The traditional airbags are joined by the active bonnet (a first for Volkswagen models) and the Front Assist systems with pedestrian identification, Lane Assist and multi-collision braking. The pre-collision braking system is optional and the driver alert system is available from the comfortline version onwards.
First impressions with the diesel engine
The range of engines was also completely updated and for the national market we can initially count on the 2.0 TDI engine with 150hp, available in 4×2 and 4×4 versions, with prices starting at 38,730 euros.
In this first contact we guided the new Volkswagen Tiguan 4×2 with a 2.0 TDI engine of 150 hp with manual transmission, but also the 4Motion version of this engine with a DSG7 box. There was still time for a contact with the 192 hp 2.0 TDI engine with DSG7 and 4Motion. Let's do it by steps.
Undoubtedly, together with the 115 hp 1.6 TDI engine, available for order from May, the version 2.0 TDI of 150 hp (4×2) will be one of the most sought after by the Portuguese. The Tiguan with the 150 hp engine is shipped, being more than enough for the daily challenges that this SUV will have to face. In offroad track tests, we also proved that it meets the necessary requirements for a road trip, always with the normal limitations of an SUV with characteristics that favor, in the first place, urban spaces. But yes, it does more than climbing sidewalks and the latest generation haldex fits you like a glove.
Inside there is now a drive mode selector, an integral part of the offroad package available for models with 4 Motion all-wheel drive system. A more refined touch and a debut in the Volkswagen Tiguan. Consumption complies with expectations: less than 6 l/100 in the 4×2 version with 150 hp diesel. In all-wheel-drive versions with 150 and 190 hp, consumption increases slightly.
With new proportions and a more dynamic approach, the reduced ground clearance and greater width give you a more dynamic stance on the road. When coupled to a DSG7 gearbox, the TDI engines reach the peak of their performance: fast and precise changes, always with the efficiency that these double clutch gearboxes have accustomed us to. The 115hp 1.6 TDI engine will not have an automatic gearbox as an option.
The driving position is lower than expected and is in line with a familiar compact, revealing once again the model's dynamic positioning. Inside the cockpit, now more focused on the driver, there is nothing to say as far as the quality of materials is concerned: impeccable.
Installments to match
The most powerful version of the 2.0 TDI engine, with 190 hp, 400 Nm of torque and 4 Motion system naturally offers an immersive driving experience. In addition to the considerable increase in horsepower and torque, being coupled to a 7-speed DSG gearbox, it is a set that provides the best that this model can offer. Above this diesel proposal, only the 2.0 TDI Biturbo engine with 240 hp and 500 Nm.
GTE and 7-seat version in 2017
The MQB II platform favors plug-in hybrid models and as such, it was expected a version that responded to the height, the acronym GTE will arrive at Tiguan in 2017. The “long wheel base” version will offer 7 seats and hit the market in the second half of 2017, revealing another of the advantages of the MQB 2 platform.Prices - values subject to change by the importer
Gasoline
1.4 TSI 150 hp 4×2 (Comfortline) – 33,000 euros
1.4 TSI 150 hp 4×2 DSG6 (Comfortline) – 35,000 euros
Diesel
1.6 TDI 115 hp 4×2 (Trendline) – 33,000 euros (orders from May)
2.0 TDI 150 hp 4×2 (Comfortline) – 38,730 euros
2.0 TDI 150 hp 4×2 DSG7 (Comfortline) – 40,000 euros
2.0 TDI 150 hp 4×4 (4Motion) DSG7 (Highline) – 42,000 euros
2.0 TDI 190 hp 4×4 (4Motion) DSG7 (Highline) – 46,000 euros
2.0 TDI Bi-turbo 240 hp 4×4 (4Motion) DSG7 (Highline) – 48,000 euros
