To be honest, the success of the first Tiguan generation always seemed a bit puzzling. Less because of as always at Volkswagen self-confident prices. Much rather because of the at least staid, but actually really boring design. Well, you could argue against it now, the first generation that expired at the beginning of the year was at least built since 2007 and was also a real bestseller for the Wolfsburg. But compared to the second generation available since spring, the predecessor just looks really old.
Which brings us to one of the greatest advantages of the new Tiguan. You can still recognize it straight away as a Volkswagen, but it now looks much more dynamic and elegant. We wouldn't write directly about an "eye-catcher", but in fact we were approached several times in the parking lot about our test car. The mid-range SUV cannot be overlooked: Compared to its predecessor, the SUV has increased its length by six, its width by three and its wheelbase by as much as eight centimeters. At the same time, three centimeters were saved in height, so that the overall view results in a longer, flatter and therefore more elongated silhouette.
And this has resulted in the second major advance in addition to the design: the Tiguan offers significantly more space than before. Front and rear sit well, even behind a big driver finds a mid-adult still so much legroom that even a longer journey is not agony. And despite the lower height, entry through all four doors is easy. The most notable progress is, however, with a view of the rear with the door open: instead of 470 as before 616 fit now luggage in the trunk, with maximum use and folded seats are 1.655 instead of 1.510 liter. Thus, a family of four can confidently embark on a multi-week camping holiday.
The engine of our test car can be used as the drive. The 2,0 liter diesel with 150 PS is powerful and fits well with the comfortably coordinated vehicle. We also had the dual clutch DSG with seven gears and the four-wheel drive 4Motion on board. Which also the ride in the ski holiday should not cause any problems. However, the Tiguan already costs at least 33.925 Euro in the Trendline version. If you choose the middle variant Comfortline (35.950 Euro) or even Highline (38.450 Euro), you will be spoiled with additional extras, but by no means have all the important things on board, such as a navigation system. Our test car easily passed the 50.000 Euro sound barrier with a few more extras.
At this proud price you have to complain. So the start-stop system is so slow that it is already desperate. When restarting at a traffic light switching to green only the foot of the brake is taken and gently pressed on the accelerator, then the engine finally starts. Does not sound so bad bad, but has the consequence that you always feel a little as traffic obstruction. As with the Passat it is also unworthy for a car of this price and image class, that the actually always recommended head-up display does not reflect its information directly into the windshield, but on a plastic disc in front of it. Here one can expect more from a brand that is almost scratching at the premium competition.
We would have expected less at the gas station. Not that we missed the standard consumption makes us sad, but the amount of deviation. Instead of the promised 5,6 liters, all 100 kilometers flowed 7,8 liters out of the tank on average, a premium of almost 40 percent. We like to take that partly, but not completely on our cap, because after all, we also wanted to test what the engine can do. And one more remark: If we left the comfortable and very well insulated Tiguan with the engine running and warm enough to open the garage door, for example, the surprise was big given the loud diesel noise. Dear Wolfsburger, Maybe you could invest a little more in the outer insulation in view of the noise pollution in our cities?
Let's summarize: On the credit side of the new Tiguan are its successful design, the generous space and great everyday comfort. Negative is the high practical consumption of the diesel and the incomprehensible lame start-stop system. And that a reasonably complete and suitable for everyday use equipped Tiguan can hardly cost below 40.000 Euro, it is clear anyway, right?
(Peter Eck / SP-X)