2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
Car Tested: 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan; Road Test No. 829; Test Location: Chikmagalur
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 34.26 – 38.53 lakhs
The Volkswagen Tiguan slots itself as a niche offering in the SUV segment
The first generation Volkswagen Tiguan was launched globally in 2007 and it was based on the PQ35 platform, but it didn’t make it to Indian shores back then. The automaker showcased the second-generation Tiguan at last year’s Auto Expo and now the car has been launched in India. Based on the flexible MQB platform, the new Tiguan is positioned in the premium SUV segment. It also marks Volkswagen’s re-entry in the premium vehicle space, after the discontinuation of the Touareg and Passat. But, does the Tiguan really have what it takes to set the sales charts on fire?
Motor Quest: The MQB platform underpins a lot of cars from the VAG family which includes Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. This platform is known to be flexible and it underpins a variety of cars from different segments.
The Tiguan has clean lines and carries a premium persona
Exteriors – The front fascia of the Tiguan comes with sharp LED headlamps flanked next to the typical Volkswagen grille with a subtle chrome strip at the bottom. The front bumper gets a dual-tone finish and comes with LED fog lamps with static cornering lights. The headlights are very powerful and perform brilliantly. You also get an auto headlamp feature. The side profile is again subtle and premium looking and comes with a thick crease running across the waistline. You get body cladding while the ORVMs come with puddle lights, electric adjustment and turn indicators, along with a heating function. At the rear, you get LED tail-lights. The boot lid can be opened electrically via a button in the cabin or via the key fob. It also has a gesture-based opening system but it seldom worked when we tried it. The Tiguan is nicely designed and looks good but it isn’t too big in size and definitely lacks the road presence of other SUVs in this price range.
The dashboard gets a neat layout with controls in easy reach
Interiors – The dashboard has been designed in a user-friendly manner. The steering wheel comes with controls for audio, phone and cruise control and the flat-bottom unit is similar to the wheel on the Polo. The instrument cluster is easy to read and comes with clear dials. The multi-function display is a colour unit and shows detailed information about the car, audio, phone, driving details, etc. You also get a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The screen is smooth to use and sound quality from the speakers is fantastic. However, the infotainment system shockingly misses out on in-built navigation, especially when the car costs this much. You can use navigation via Android Auto through your phone but it isn’t possible on Apple CarPlay. The panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feel in the already spacious cabin. The subtle LED ambient lighting adds to the feel good factor.
The Tiguan has awesome seats which are super comfy
Interiors are well-finished & comfort levels are amazing with the large seats
The Tiguan gets a 3-zone climate control system that works well and the AC chills the cabin in a jiffy. All round visibility is good and the front and rear parking sensors are super useful. You also get a rearview camera but the resolution didn’t feel crisp and could have definitely been better. What I really loved about the Tiguan are the seats. The front seats are large and very supportive but only the driver’s seat comes with electric adjustment and memory function. The headrests are large and have soft cushioning which feels comfy. At the rear, you get 60:40 split seats. The seats are again large and can be reclined too. Space is very generous and knee room and head space are fantastic. I traveled in the Tiguan for 600 kms over a period of two days and didn’t feel tired at all. The boot capacity is also generous at 615-litres and it can be stuffed with a lot of luggage.
The 2.0-litre TDI engine is a new generation EA288 unit
Performance – The Volkswagen Tiguan is offered with only one engine in India, which is the EA288 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit producing 143 PS of power at 4000 RPM along with 340 Nm of torque between 1750-2750 RPM. The powerplant is offered with the new generation DQ500 7-speed DSG gearbox which is newer compared to the old DQ200 and DQ250 units. On paper, the power and torque figures might seem less but honestly, the Tiguan produces adequate grunt. The motor is a smooth performer but also feels noisy and there is a constant hum that can be heard in the cabin. The power surge is punchy after 2000 RPM and continues till about 3000 RPM before tapering off. In Eco mode, power feels a bit limited but for city usage, this mode is the best. In Normal mode, the engine opens up a bit while in Sports mode, the revs are held at 2000 RPM and this results in quicker power delivery. The gearbox downshifts if revs fall below 2000 RPM.
The Tiguan has good punch and power delivery is satisfying
The engine+gearbox combo can easily be termed as one of the best in the segment
The DSG gearbox is very smooth and quick-shifting, and understands driving styles well. It adapts quickly to smooth as well as aggressive driving mannerisms. It can be slotted into Sports mode while you also get paddle shifters and a manual Tiptronic mode. The powertrain also offers you an Individual mode where you can adjust settings to your liking. The engine and gearbox combo makes for a good bet and power is sent to all four wheels thanks to the full-time Haldex AWD system. Despite this, the ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency is 17.06 km/l while real world figures are 10-11 km/l with aggressive driving and 15-16 km/l with smooth cruising.
The Tiguan stays planted at all times, is fun to drive too
Driving Dynamics – The suspension of the Tiguan gets a stiff setup but it is also very pliant and absorbs undulations with ease, with only the really bad potholes filtering inside the cabin. Ride quality is definitely comfortable and gets a big thumbs up. The steering is direct and precise but lacks feel. However, the Tiguan makes for a fun to drive car. It also remains properly composed all the time. The ARAI-certified ground clearance is 149 mm and that limits the car’s usage off the road. You do get an off-road mode in the Tiguan but due to the ground clearance, don’t expect the vehicle to do proper off-roading and it can be best termed as a soft-roader. The Haldex AWD system is awesome though, providing a lot of traction. Torque is sent to the front wheels under normal driving but depending on the situation, it can transfer torque between the front and rear wheels. Braking performance is very good while the Hankook tyres also have good levels of grip.
You get a lot of active and passive safety features
Safety and After Sales Service – The Volkswagen Tiguan comes with the usual safety features like 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, etc. However, you also get an active bonnet which basically comes with sensors on either side and when it detects a collision with a pedestrian, the bonnet rises up a bit, thus reducing the effect on the pedestrian as well as damage to the car. The sales and service network of Volkswagen is present in most major cities now with the company expanding its reach over the years. However the service experience can’t match Toyota whose Fortuner is a direct rival to the Tiguan.
You’ll like the Tiguan if you dislike brute SUVs
Verdict – While we cannot deny the fact that the Tiguan is priced very optimistically, we also feel that it is a well-engineered car that feels great to drive and offers a lot of features, loads of space and good comfort. It looks and feels premium but has some flaws which might be an issue for someone looking to buy a full-fledged SUV. If you want a niche product and want to enjoy every moment of ownership, the Tiguan is a good bet for you. But if you’re looking for things like road presence, 7 seats, off-road capabilities, then you might have to look elsewhere.
The price segment of the Tiguan has many worthy SUVs
What’s Cool
* Feels premium all around, great engineering
* The cabin is comfortable and spacious
* Performance is good, ride and handling are also impressive
What’s Not So Cool
* Priced a bit high
* Can do only mild soft-roading
Alternatives: Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour
The Tiguan doesn’t get a petrol engine in India
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Specifications
* Engine: 1968cc, DOHC, 4-Cyl
* Power: 143 PS @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 340 Nm @ 1750-2750 RPM
* Transmission: 7-speed AT
* Fuel Consumption: 17.06 km/l (ARAI-claimed)
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: McPherson Strut with Lower Transverse Link (Front), Multi-Link (Rear)
* Tyres: 215/65/17 (Comfortline), 235/55/18 (Highline)
* Brakes: Discs (Front & Rear), ABS
* Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS, EBD, Hill Hold, ESC, Active Bonnet
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4486 mm X 1839 mm X 1672 mm
* Boot Space: 615-litres
* Wheelbase: 2677 mm
* Turning Radius: 5.75-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 71-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1720 kgs
The Tiguan competes with the Tucson, Endeavour and Fortuner