Volkswagen is adding a new model to its lineup: the 2020 Tiguan. The compact crossover offers a unique design, plenty of space, and an interior that is surprisingly pleasant, especially in the top-end models.
The tiguan makes a fantastic family car, with plenty of room and plenty of technology to make everyone happy. It's also got good fuel economy. However, it isn’t as efficient at the base engines as other competitors.
The Tiguan R is priced at R999 900, the base trim for FWD. The SE R-Line Black version of the Tiguan R costs $31,315 with front-wheel-drive and $34,990 with 4Motion. Both models come with the usual gadgets, such as a panoramic roof, sat nav, and VW's excellent information system.
The boot is 615 litres, which is a lot of space. The boot is large enough to hold all your flatpacks and, when the third row is folded, you can fit a family of five or four.
As you would expect from a small SUV, visibility and the driving position are both excellent. Legroom in the back is generous, even if you're taller than average.
This is a car that's easy to get into and out of, with its wide door openings. You can adjust the rear seats to suit your needs by sliding them forward or back.
It's not all good news: The Tiguan has a less flexible third row than some rivals and getting into the second seat requires some physical strength.
The car isn't as attractive as some SUVs. It's too bad because the interior is very nice.
Interior is well-designed and intuitive, with plenty of technology available that's worth it. The dashboard, for example, has a digital instrument panel and touchscreen controls that make using the infotainment system a breeze.
Thanks to their large wheels and low weight, they make getting around town easy. In our test we got an EPA estimated 24 miles per gallon, which is what you would expect from a small SUV.
If you want a more dynamic driving experience, then the Tiguan's Sport mode will sharpen up the throttle and the steering. Volkswagen should offer adaptive dampers by default.
It's hard to blame them, as it takes a lot of effort to find the perfect fit for the vehicle.
Volkswagen should consider adding more active safety functions to the Tiguan. The Tiguan could have a rearview cam that tracks the car or autonomous braking.
VW should bring out an engine that has more power. A 2.0-liter turbocharged motor would be awesome. The car would feel more fun and energetic.
You can also consider other options, like a hybrid plug-in model. This option is not available in South Africa but it would be nice to have.