Contrary to what is usual in press park cars, the Volkswagen Tiguan tested is not a high-end version and does not come with the “all sauces”: the Tiguan 1.5 TSI (131 hp) Life is, effectively, the most affordable version of the SUV for sale in the national market.
Volkswagen asks for just over 34,000 euros for its (very) spacious and familiar SUV, but “our” Tiguan is a little more expensive, bordering on 35,000 euros. Blame it on the options it brings, but there aren't many, just two: in addition to the white color, it only adds the Digital Cockpit (digital instrument panel).
The list price is higher than that of its main rivals, but when you level them by equipment, the Tiguan Life gains points in competitiveness — it may be the most affordable, but it is not reflected in an austere equipment offer.
Quite the contrary, the Tiguan Life comes very well equipped, positively surprising, bringing even unusual “treats”, and more, in an entry-level: from the tri-zone air conditioning to the refrigerated glove box, to a paraphernalia of assistants to the driving that includes adaptive cruise control and even parks alone.
The reinforcement of standard equipment on all Tiguans was one of the new features of their recent “face wash”. It not only gained equipment, but was visually renovated, getting a redesigned front and rear — bumpers, LED headlights (series), grille, LED taillights —, with the highlight going all the way to the unprecedented Tiguan eHybrid — which we've already driven — and Tiguan R, the sportiest.
It is ahead that we find the biggest differences. But overall, Tiguan remains on the more conservative and low-key side of the visual spectrum.
And the “entry” engine convinces as the level of equipment?
Quick answer: no, not really. The Volkswagen Tiguan is neither the most compact nor the lightest in the segment. With more than 1500 kg — and only with the driver on board — the 1.5 TSI with 131 hp and 220 Nm turns out to be a little fair. Something that we quickly notice in various situations, such as the need to reduce a gear to maintain speed on some slopes, or when we need to overtake.
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The benefits are nothing but modest, but nothing against the 1.5 TSI itself. As in other models and versions (besides this one with 130 hp there is another one with 150 hp) in which we have already explored it, also in this case it is a very competent and efficient unit. The “sweet spot” is located between 2000 rpm and 4000 rpm, a range where it is more responsive (absence of turbo-lag, or very close to it) and vivacious. Pull for it and don't be asked to go beyond 5000 rpm, where it reaches its maximum power.
The engine is very well accompanied by the six-speed manual gearbox, which is correctly staggered and its action, even though it is not a current reference, speed and tact, is quite positive.
On the other hand, the 1.5 TSI of 131 hp showed to be spared appetite on open road and at speeds below 100 km/h: consumptions in the order of five liters are possible (it manages to deactivate two of the cylinders in certain conditions saving a few more tenths) . When we demand more from the engine, like when we want to overcome the Tiguan's inertia in town, they easily go up to eight liters (and a little change). In a mixed use (city, road and highway) the final average ended up being between 7.0-7.5 l/100 km.
Volkswagen Tiguan with French rib…
The engine seems “shorter” when we see that the German SUV is a natural born roadster, capable of making long runs at once with all the comfort and refinement one could wish for. However, the first kilometers I made behind the wheel of the Tiguan proved to be intriguing and revealing, with its smoothness standing out, both in touch and step: it seemed more like a French proposal than a German one.
Conservative as the exterior, but solid in the assembly
A feature quite different from the perception we usually have of German cars, in which they seem to have been “sculpted” from a solid block of material, resulting in heavier controls and a drier tread, especially when compared to yours. rivals.
Not this Tiguan. Even when confronted with the more compact and lighter Golf — which I also tested — we found that the SUV is not only the one with (quite) lighter controls, but the damping leads us to believe that we are practically floating over many of the road's irregularities. . A quality that, I believe, owes a lot to the tires it brought, or rather, to the tire measurements.
The Tiguan Life features standard 17-inch wheels, surrounded by (modest) 215/65 R17 tyres, in contrast to the much larger and (it must be admitted) more appealing 19-inch (255/45 tyres) on the Tiguan R Line, for example. It's the generous 65 profile that guarantees the “air cushion” needed for the smooth tread of this SUV.
…but it's solidly German
However, unlike some comfortable French proposals, this comfortable German one excels in certain dynamic aspects. Comfort and smoothness don't translate into less precision, control or dynamic efficiency when we pick up the pace on rougher roads. It's when we “abuse” him more that we realize that behind all the (apparently) French smoothness there is still the expected Germanic solidity.
In these moments, we discover that it never ceases to be precise, progressive and predictable, responding with high promptness to our commands (over steering), and body movements are always contained. The only regret is the almost lack of support for the seats, whether in lateral or leg support — on the other hand, they are quite comfortable. More effective than fun, but the Volkswagen Tiguan is a family SUV and nothing more.
To the family
For the rest it remains the same Volkswagen Tiguan that we have known since 2016, keeping the very good attributes for family use. I refer, of course, to the ample space on board. We easily access the second row, where we travel uncrowded—with plenty of leg and head room—unless we're the passenger in the middle who'll have to deal with a firmer seat and an overhanging transmission tunnel.
The seats in the back, moreover, slide longitudinally and we can even adjust the inclination of the back. The trunk is also among the largest in the segment, rivaling that of some vans, and we can fold the rear seats from the trunk — a very useful convenience.
Ample luggage compartment, capable of rivaling that of several vans, only lacks for the "step" between the gate and the floor.
He continues to be the master of one of the most solid interiors in the segment, despite some “innovations” being lamented, such as the new air conditioning controls. Yes, they are still out of infotainment, but they are now made up of tactile surfaces that lack ease of use — they demand greater precision and attention from us — when compared to the more conventional rotary controls.
Is the Tiguan car right for me?
The cheapest Volkswagen Tiguan you can buy turned out to be a pleasant surprise, both because of the standard equipment on offer and because of its comfort, smoothness and refinement. However, it is its engine that prevents a full recommendation. Not for the lack of qualities of 1.5 TSI, which are many, but for the modest numbers of this version. If we use the Tiguan as intended, that is, as a family member, frequently transporting people and cargo, the 131 hp turns out to be fair for that.
Tiguan Life comes pretty well equipped, with several unusual items like the refrigerated glove box…
The solution is, without leaving gasoline engines, to make the leap to its 150 hp and 250 Nm version. However, in Portugal it is only possible to acquire it with the DSG double clutch gearbox — which many even prefer in this type of vehicle. vehicle. But it's also more expensive, with the 1.5 TSI of 150 hp starting at around 37,500 euros.
The other option is the corresponding Diesel version, the 122 hp 2.0 TDI, which despite being even less powerful offers 100 Nm more torque, which makes a difference, especially under load. The problem is… the price, with the 2.0 TDI starting very close to €40,000. Only for “pa-kilometres”.