VW Tiguan sets new standards
By: Henrie Geyser
Volkswagen South Africa has at last entered the popular and rapidly growing local SUV market with its eagerly-awaited Tiguan - and like the brand's big, broad-shouldered Touareg, this cheeky little newcomer is a fine piece of Teutonic automotive engineering.
The new Tiguan will be available in quite an extensive range of specification, engine and transmission choices, from the entry level petrol version powered by the internationally-acclaimed 1.4-litre engine up to 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models, with prices ranging from R247 000 to R273 000.
The 1.4-litre versions are available in Trend & Fun or Track & Field models, while the 2.0-litre versions also have a Sport & Style option, as well as the choice between a six-speed manual and a six-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Standard across the range are features such as 4Motion permanent four-wheel-drive, anti-roll bars front and rear, ABS (anti-locking brakes), EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), ESP (electronic stability programme), BA (brake assist), ASR (anti-spin), alloy rims, 64-litre fuel tanks, front, side and curtain airbags, child lock on all doors, immobiliser, split folding rear seats, alarm, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, radio/CD with 8 speakers and M3 functionality, an on-board computer and dual climate control.
As with most modern car brands, the options list is long and varied.
All the models in the Tiguan range come with a three-year/120 000km warranty and a five-year/60 000 km maintenance plan.
Besides its striking good looks (one of its many international awards is for “Best Style in Class”), the Tiguan's other appealing features are its build quality, off-road ability, its hauling-power (of up to 2.5-tons!) and its all-round practicality.
At the Media launch in the Eastern Cape I drove the 1.4-litre version and I was absolutely knocked out by the gutsy performance of its rather unique 110 kW engine. Unique in the sense that it very cleverly combines the key elements of direct injection, supercharging and turbocharging.
It is without doubt the most impressive 1.4-engine I have ever come across. Linked as its is to a VW-smooth six-speed manual, this spunky little mill purred with enthusiasm as we made our way from Port Elizabeth to the ultra-grand Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve.
It is hardly surprising that the world's motoring Media have been raving about this new engine. It is so impressive that it puts many a larger-potted engine to shame.
We cruised comfortably at legal speeds and were surprised how well it responded when we showed it the whip. Even at Big Fine speeds the baby-engined model galloped effortlessly and quietly.
If you factor in the Tiguan's good road-holding, better than average steering for this class and superb brakes, you have a really impressive all-rounder that feels confident and safe, even when pushed hard.
On the second leg of our launch drive I drove the 2.0-litre diesel and enjoyed its 320 Nm surge of power which peaked between a low 1 750 r/pm and 2 500 r/pm.
Although we didn't have the opportunity to test its full off-road potential, this capable diesel is clearly classy enough to cope with some serious rough stuff.
Few marques are finished as well as VW products and Tiguan is no exception. The cabin exudes classy construction and the lay-out is clean, neat, functional and pleasing on the eye.
I have been a fan of VW's blue instrument lighting from way back and it looks particularly good in the Tiguan.
The seats are comfortable and finding a suitable driving position is easy, even though the steering wheel is not fully adjustable.
The climate control is simple to operate and it's effective quite quickly. The sound system is of a class you would expect to find in a much more expensive vehicle.
Our car was fitted with the optional satellite navigation system with a touch screen which is well worth the extra bucks. It's neat, looks good and just seems right to have in a vehicle such as this.
The cabin is spacious and the luggage area is more than big enough in standard shape, although the flexible seating offers numerous configuration choices to create even more space.
The name Tiguan is from a combination of Tiger and Iguana and VW says the vehicle was designed to give its owners the freedom of choice - from commuter to family transport, towing-vehicle to load-hauler, from highway-cruising comfort to challenging off-roading.
For instance, the Track and Field models have an approach angle of 28 degrees, plus an underguard to protect the drive unit.
Those of you who haul boats, trailers and caravans will be impressed with the Tiguan's ESP programme which has built-in trailer stabilization to prevent “snaking”.
But this is just one of the many surprising characteristics of the new Tiguan, like the simple OFF ROAD button on the dash of the Track and Field models which awakens an entire armada of assistance systems for making off-road excursions especially safe.
When clicked on, this switch activates the hill descent assistant (optimal control in descents), modifies the driving pedal characteristic (finer metering of engine torque), adapts EDS so that electronic differential locks are activated at the slightest slip, sharpens the ABS to improve braking on loose substrates), engages hill ascent assistance and gear level pre-select for optimal engine braking.
When it comes to price, flexibility, model choice, performance, fuel consumption and looks, then Tiguan has more than enough to spook contenders such as the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, BMW X-3, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva.
In fact, some of us reckoned it could even arm-wrestle with the Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester and the Land Rover Freelander for style, quality and class.
Tiguan sets new standards for the SUV market and is undoubtedly another million model product from Volkswagen.
Footnote: Tiguan's marketing team and advertising agency deserve a pat on the back for the vehicle's entertaining TV commercial about the frog and the fly which ends up with the fly buzzing off with the frog, rather than the frog snacking on the fly at the end of its tongue!
More by Henrie Geyser
More...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Henrie Geyser has worked as a journalist in Cape Town, London and Windhoek for the Argus Company (now Independent Newspapers) and spent 12 years at The Cape Argus in Cape Town. He then owned and ran a public relations consultancy for 13 years. He joined the online publishing industry through iafrica.com, where he worked for five years as News Editor and Editor. He now freelances for a variety of print and online publications, on the subjects of cars, food and travel, among others; and is a member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.
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