It’s hard to talk about a car that doesn’t have a pronounced character. The Volkswagen Tiguan seems to have everything going for it, but you won’t expect any emotional outbursts from this crossover, although the Tiguan definitely claims to be one of the best in this segment.
I’m a natural «Japanologist», not a «weightlifter». Therefore, writing about the average Volkswagen is much more difficult for me than driving it. It’s too correct, calibrated, ordinary, and balanced for me. It’s hard to see the zest in it, to catch on to something.
VWs are rarely bought with «eyes» — in comparative tests, they are taken with their combination of qualities. As the classic wrote: «Burger practicality and no charisma». However, the same can be said for most «Toyotas». No argument, such models sell well, but they are not dreamed of. And Tiguan is a real bestseller of the brand. Although there is a quality in this crossover that won me over.
The Germans assure everyone that the Tiguan was the result of a cross between a tiger and an iguana.
Is it unexpected? It may well be, because the side effect of such selection is also fascinating — the tendency to mutate and even mimicry, that is, to adapt to completely different conditions and situations. Do you need niche versions for the vast Chinese market? Here are the extended Volkswagen Tiguan L and the coupe-like Tiguan X. European marketers have identified an empty niche for 3-row parkour cars and the «Tig» has turned into an 8-seater Allspace. And then there’s the Tayron, which is half a step lower. Don’t ask me how they differ except for the size of the rear overhang and pricing. As for me, they are much more similar than twins who have returned from vacations from different grandmothers.
In fact, the disadvantages of «Volkswagens» are extensions of their virtues. The Germans develop million-selling cars that should appeal to everyone everywhere. Not everyone is satisfied with the bright appearance, hence their discreet style with eternal variations on the theme of bio-solidification. For aesthetes, they have a separate list of brands — Audi, Cupra, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Bugatti.
Old money
The downside of mimicry is that it’s easy to forget what your real face looks like. And the third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t give the impression that it has outstanding abilities and is better than its predecessor in every way. Especially in terms of pricing. The Ukrainian importer has managed to keep the price of the more modern and better equipped iteration at the same level as the previous one. For our market, this is a trump card in itself.
Exactly 10 years ago, «Dieselgate» broke out. During the laboratory tests of the Tiguan 2.0 TDi, the Americans discovered a hidden algorithm in the software. In fact, the Germans taught the electronics to recognize bench measurement modes (high engine speed, not all wheels are turning) and adjust the fuel supply plus activate the filter and catalyst. Similar tests on other diesel models of the brand confirmed the presence of a special mode. But the true extent was revealed by an investigation conducted in the United States and Germany. As it turned out, since 2008, more than 11 million cars and commercial vehicles (Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda) with special diesel engines have been sold worldwide. The concern’s offices were subjected to a series of searches, seizures, arrests, and even imprisonment of top managers. The concern’s shares fell by 40% in a few days. There is no need to talk about reputational losses — such a sophisticated deception cannot be blamed on the greed of a handful of directors.
Since 2007, the first two generations of the crossover have sold a total of almost eight million copies. It can be said that the success of the model helped the concern stay afloat after the large-scale «Dieselgate». The bad news is that such popularity is handcuffing the model’s developers hand and foot — they simply won’t be allowed to make any significant changes. They say, why kill the goose that lays the golden egg?
That’s why the designers’ work was done according to the watercolor principle «a little». They refreshed the ID-style look a little bit there, and corrected the aerodynamics here. By the way, the departure from the «square-nested» method with the same base and width dimensions made it possible to reduce the Cx value from 0.33 to 0.27.
After all, Wolfsburg is home to facelift geniuses – only they can rejuvenate a face in such a pinpointed way, without changing anything fundamentally. As before, there is a 100% Volkswagen style, not flashy, but recognizable. The easiest way to distinguish the third iteration is by the LED strip connecting the headlights and the radiator grille that has slipped into the bumper.
It would seem that we are looking at an absolutely ordinary car — in appearance, size, and price. But its class is unmistakably determined by how quickly the driver stops feeling the real speed. A whole range of noise and soundproofing components muffle the roar of the diesel engine, the slap of the tires, and the hum of the February wind in the side mirrors.
The combined fuel consumption of 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers is no less pleasant — a really decent figure for a family crossover. Easy handling, precise maneuverability and confidence in every move. The only sacrifice is a slightly harsh suspension rebound when encountering potholes, which reminds us of the importance of following the German paradigm and emphasis on handling. Despotism is always appreciated and respected by the Germans. The 4Motion all-wheel drive system works in the same way, acting only on its own, minus human intervention. It seems to be the best option for those who do not want to think too much.
The inner world
Usually, the interior of any «Volkswagen» — is a compilation of already found solutions and components produced by the concern. The flip side of unification is Volkswagen-like impeccable ergonomics, when everything is comfortable, clear, and familiar in absolutely any model. Only the Volkswagen Tiguan is clearly skewed toward modern trends and has many things improper.
The Volkswagen Tiguan gears are now shifted in the Mercedes manner — with a poker that grows on the right side of the steering column. Is it convenient? Well, it’s not. It’s a matter of habit and a few days. But it made it possible to arrange the center console and tunnel areas differently, freeing up maximum space for the media system tablet.
Its diagonal has grown to 12.9 inches. And it doesn’t seem to have become a reference point for the designers. It seems more like it was just put there than integrated. The predecessor was at least a little more or less stylish. Here, the monitor has become a portal to enter the settings of most service devices and attracts the eye like a tunnel of possibilities and a maze of service settings.
The climate control is now also regulated by touch strips. Wangue — in the next-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, the air deflectors will also be virtual. The driver’s display «instrument cluster» is slightly smaller — 10.25 inches. I know a dozen cleaners who are depressed by this growing proliferation of dust collector screens, forcing them to wipe all surfaces several times a day.
Against the general background, the rejection of touch buttons in favor of analog buttons on the steering wheel spokes looks inconsistent, to put it mildly. But it’s definitely for the better. At least, the clarity and comprehensibility of the shifts are monitored without the driver’s special attention, but only by intuitive presses. Plus, instead of the archaic lift-up display that was found in some versions, we have a full-fledged projection on the windshield. And it’s also color and displays the operation of security systems and standard navigation, which is perfect here, but will work much better in Europe.
The Volkswagen Tiguan now has a separate wireless charging box for a pair of smartphones under a convenient movable shelf and a wireless connection that sticks like a spider to a web. It’s nice that the induction is also smart — with preventive cooling so that the phone doesn’t overheat while charging. Finally, the Germans have learned to install adequate software.
The software of the Volkswagen Tiguan multimedia system seems to be more modern than ever — only the overall interface architecture and graphics remain the same. If you sit down and sort through the thicket of settings on the icons, you can finally get used to it and quickly find the necessary functions — the main thing is not to confuse the car icon, which constantly changes its algorithm depending on the location.
It’s much nicer to have a spinner at hand instead of a box lever. You can use it to switch driving modes: Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, Off-road. It also has a volume control mode, as well as a choice of interior diode lighting colors in 30 tones (10 in a lesser configuration).
Another advantage of the new Volkswagen Tiguan is the redesigned architecture, which has made it possible to make both the interior (+10 mm) and the trunk (+33 liters) much roomier. And most importantly, despite the many big and not-so-big changes, the process of getting used to it is painless and fast. Literally, an hour — two active city drives, if you don’t count half an hour of looking at and getting to know all the buttons.
The importer traditionally does not skimp on the equipment of test vehicles. There are top-of-the-line Harman/Kardon speakers, a panoramic roof, and a «leather interior» with ergoActive Plus front seats with additional lumbar support and seat lengthening. And if there are enough questions about the quality of eco-leather (and I still remember the days when it was not tolerated as dermantine), the seats from the flagship Touareg are worth every touhig spent on them. They are multicontour, heated, ventilated, and equipped with a 10-chamber acupressure massage, the intensity of which is enough even for a driver wrapped in sheepskin.
The Germans offer much less in terms of assistants. Of course, there are enough airbags, but they didn’t add any assistants. For example, adaptive cruise does not have lane keeping, and adaptive light does not have a matrix, as in the Golf. Although such trifles are offered not only by worthy competitors such as BMW or Mercedes-Benz, which Volkswagen is looking up to today, but also by more budget options such as the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, or even the Nissan X-Trail.
Positioning and competitors
Here, we can clearly see the position of Volkswagen, which is quite far removed from its peers, which are using older technologies and are already trying to stand out with new brand products. The Volkswagen Tiguan came very close to luxury brands in terms of quality, comfort, and drive, but fell short in each of these areas, as well as in terms of technology. A price tag that is only half the size becomes a much more pleasant advantage and lures fans of everything «German» to its side.
Thus, the BMW X3 offers not only hybrid engines and a wide range of units and a much more interesting design «interior» and a halo of drive and is definitely ahead in terms of quality and precision of control. The Toyota RAV-4 does not have such sophistication, and the Peugeot 3008 is too eccentric for fans of laconic style. Therefore, VW’s emotional component is as precise as sweet pollen for bees, and Volkswagen Tiguan does not need a separate advertisement. Its consumers will find it quickly.
PROS: comfort, handling, fuel consumption, practicality, spaciousness.
CONS: requires getting used to the location of the tools, lacks assistants and safety features.
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4539х1842х1657 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2680 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 169 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 652/1650 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1750 |
| Engine | Diesel |
| Working volume, cubic cm | 2.0 |
| Power, hp. | 193 |
| Torque, Nm | 400 |
| Type of drive | AWD |
| Suspension in front of. | Like McPherson |
| Rear suspension | Multi-arm with stabilizers |
| CHECKPOINT | 7DSG |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 7,7 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 220 |
| Fuel consumption, l (mixed) | 6,4 |
| Cost, UAH | 1 701 849 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 1883 672 |
| Competitors | BMW X1 xDrive 2.0d (1 776 915 UAH) |
| Peugeot 3008 1.5 BlueHDi (1 340 600 UAH) | |
| MINI Countryman 2.0D (1 503 376 UAH) | |
| Hyundai Tucson 1.6 CRDi 7DCT (1 518 200 UAH) |
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