Volkswagen Tiguan: it was almost better before

Germain Goyer

Tuesday, 27 February 2018 11:59

UPDATE
Tuesday, 27 February 2018 11:59

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With its Tiguan, Volkswagen was faced with a happy problem. Even if the first generation of the model was ten years old, sales of the Tiguan were growing, and this, both in the United States than in Canada.

Convinced that she could offer even more, Volkswagen has launched the dice, erasing everything, and then trying to concoct an SUV even more suitable customer for 2018.

Is that Volkswagen has succeeded in its mission? It was put to the test in order to make the light.

Powerful enough

From the first spins of the wheel, it is seen that the Tiguan is americanized. He lost his european touch in favor of a sanitized typically american.

Only one engine is offered, or the famous four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0 L used in all the sauces at Volkswagen. The latter develops 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It is sufficient, but as we said, Volkswagen has not given you more than what the customer request. In terms of speed, it remains closer to the iguana than the tiger. It is with a bit of nostalgia, I realised that the new Tiguan is not as fiery nor as fun to drive as the old one.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018

Germain Goyer

Safe huge

Although the segment of the compact SUV has a ton and a half of players, we can count on the fingers of one hand those who offer a third-row seat. In fact, the Volkswagen Tiguan, Dodge Journey and the Mitsubishi Outlander are the only three to offer. Until last year, the Nissan Rogue was also available with this extra row.

With a cargo space of 1100 L behind the third-row seat, the Tiguan supplant largely its competitors. In fact, the Outlander and Journey provide a loading volume which is limited respectively to 292 L and 303 L.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018

Germain Goyer

Consumption

Vis-à-vis its two main rivals, the Tiguan is playing his cards strategically. No four-cylinder anemic or V6 too greedy. In terms of the consumption it pays for Volkswagen. In fact, with a rating of a combined 10.2 L/100 km, the Tiguan proved to be less efficient than the Outlander (10.6 L/100 km) and even less than the Journey (12,1 L/100 km).

A vehicle connected

The Tiguan 2018 is a vehicle of its time. In fact, it is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow you to enjoy the interface of your smartphone on a touch screen of 20 inches. That said, the system UConnect from FCA that we notably find in the Journey, and who welcomes Apple CarPlay and Android is not dive to either. In contrast, the system that is found on the edge of the Outlander is somewhat less intuitive.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018

Germain Goyer

Almost seven seater

The Tiguan first generation could accommodate a maximum of five occupants. As for the new, it is much larger, which allows it to accommodate up to seven passengers. In fact, it is possible to check the option of a third row. However, from the admission even of the people at Volkswagen, it is a seat booster. For a real SUV that can accommodate seven people, the Atlas is a better choice.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018

Germain Goyer

4 Motion

The all-wheel drive 4Motion is not included in the standard delivery. It is necessary to minimally pay 31 175 $ to get it. We had the opportunity to put it to the test on an icy surface and the snow and must admit that it is very effective. Although the four wheels are not driving continuously, as is the case with Subaru, this system remains always active and it is asked with the slightest slip.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018

Germain Goyer

Good news

If the compact format and the agility of the old Tiguan you liked and that you find the new be too tough for you, know that a rumor that Volkswagen is planning to market an SUV sub-compact in North America.

Brief

If like me, you appreciate the old Tiguan because it was one of the few SUVS to have real skills, you may be disappointed with the new one. Because not everything that is new is not necessarily better.

If you are looking for driving dynamics, more cargo space respectable, while maintaining the emblem of Volkswagen and the train full, you would have serious interest to consider the Golf Sportwagen 4Motion, or even its variant Alltrack.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018

Germain Goyer

Technical data sheet
Name: Volkswagen Tiguan 2018
Base price: 28 925 $
Price of model tested: 31 175 $
Configuration: the Vehicle front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with engine at the front
Mechanical: Engine four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged
Power/torque: 184 hp/221 lb-ft
Transmission: eight-speed Automatic
Fuel consumption announced: 11.3 L/100 km (city) 8.8 L/100 km (highway)
Warranty basic: 4 years/80,000 km
Competition: Mitsubishi Outlander, Dodge Journey, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V

Rating (out of 10)
Fuel consumption: 8
Equipment: 7
Price: 7
Style: 7
Comfort (front): 7
Comfort (rear): 7
Road holding: 7
Performance: 7
Storage space: 9
Overall rating: 7

Forces
System four-wheel drive 4Motion
Large volume loading
Petrol consumption reasonable

Weaknesses
Less fun to drive than before
Less horsepower than the previous Tiguan
Silhouette anonymous and americanized