Fast-forward to May 2017, and the new Tiguan is delivering all that Volkswagen NZ hoped for. Ranked eighth in the cumulative new-car sales charts for the first four months of this year, it is this country's top-selling European vehicle to date.
The Tiguan range opens with the $41,990 TSI Comfortline 2WD and tops out with the $66,990 R-Line 4MOTION. It was that flagship vehicle that featured in our initial road test last year, and it was also the version that finally made it into my hands for appraisal more recently.
Motoring conditions in our part of the world are so different from those up north that a local test often provides a fresh perspective on a vehicle, and such is the case with the Tiguan R-Line 4MOTION.
Although quite conservative in its overall form, the flagship Tiguan's exterior detailing is exquisite. My only exterior gripe concerned the test car's 20-inch alloy wheels, which angle out from the tyre walls. This, as a scrape to one wheel of the test car on arrival showed, makes them prone to kerb damage.
Increases in wheelbase, width and length lift the Tiguan to unequivocal mid-sized SUV standing (its predecessor sat on the borderline between medium and compact). A big boost in boot space (now 615 litres) and great back seat legroom are two key benefits that accrue. The cabin is also hugely flexible thanks to rear seats that are split 40:20:40 across the back, and adjust for legroom and back angle.
Visibility from the rear seats is excellent, and pop-up rear picnic trays and a power-opening tailgate are nice touches.
Up front, comfortable R-Line embossed sports-style seats have a striking stitching pattern that echoes the angular theme that dominates the dashboard and door design. Standout features on a comprehensive equipment list include a fully digital instrument cluster with a large display space between the rev counter and speedometer to augment the main eight-inch touchscreen. As well as this customisable display space, there is a head-up display with summary speed and navigation information.
Standard driver aids included a multicollision active braking system, active cruise control, lane keeping assist, side assist with rear traffic alert and blindspot motoring, and a self-parking system. Satellite navigation and the latest in smartphone connectivity are other key features.
The new Tiguan's fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system has specific snow and off-road modes as well as road mode (which encompasses eco, comfort, normal and sporting sub-modes). This system operates in front-wheel drive most of the time, but seamlessly engages the rear wheels when traction becomes an issue. Augmented on the R-Line by VW's adaptive chassis control and progressive steering system, this set-up gives the Tiguan massive dynamic flexibility.
Although not as sharp as a Golf GTI, the test vehicle was refined and demonstrated strong grip and fine poise and balance through tarmac twists and turns.
Despite its off-road mode, the chances of anyone embarking on a serious off-road adventure in an R-Line Tiguan are slight.
More pertinently as winter arrives, it's ideally equipped to conquer well-groomed skifield access roads with ease.
- David Thomson
| VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN R-LINE 4MOTION |
| Overall: ★★★★+ |
| Design and styling: ★★★★ |
| Interior: ★★★★+ |
| Performance: ★★★★ |
| Ride/handling: ★★★★ |
| Safety: ★★★★★ |
| Environmental: ★★★+ |
| For: Spacious and well-appointed interior, strong performance and handling |
| Against: Easy-to-scrape alloy wheels |
| Verdict: No wonder VW's latest arrival is selling so well |
| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Price: $66,990 |
| Engine: 1984cc four-cylinder turbo direct injection petrol, maximum power 162kW@4500-6200rpm, maximum torque 350Nm@1500-4400rpm |
| Transmission: Seven-speed direct-shift, variable four-wheel drive |
| Brakes and stability systems: Disc brakes, ABS, BA, EBD, ASC, ATC |
| Safety rating: Five-star Euro NCAP |
| Wheels, tyres: Alloy wheels, 255/40 R20 tyres |
| Fuel and economy: 8.1 litres per 100km on EU combined cycle, capacity 60 litres |
| Emissions: CO2 186g/km on combined cycle |
| Dimensions: Length 4486mm, width 1632mm, height 2099mm |