The Volkswagen Tiguan stands out as one of the most straightforward yet effective choices among family SUVs. Its aesthetic appeal is understated yet attractive, offering a spacious interior without being cumbersome to maneuver in urban settings.
One area where the Tiguan shines is its boot space. At 652 liters, it surpasses competitors in the same price range, making it ideal for families with strollers, sports equipment, or other bulky items.
Interior Features and Technology
The new Tiguan’s interior has undergone a significant upgrade, featuring a large infotainment touchscreen prominently displayed in the center of the dashboard.
The screen’s responsive interface offers configurable shortcut buttons and a centralized home screen that consolidates navigation, music, and other critical information. While its touch-sensitive climate controls remain unintuitive, Volkswagen compensates with an excellent digital instrument display.
Engine Options and Efficiency
Engine options include a rare diesel, two petrol engines, and two forthcoming plug-in hybrids. The plug-in hybrids promise an electric-only range of up to 62 miles, making them ideal for those with regular charging access. While these hybrids will likely come at a higher initial cost, their lower running expenses make them a practical choice.
Driving Experience
The Tiguan excels in comfort and refinement, whether navigating urban streets or cruising on motorways. Its suspension handles bumps effectively, providing a smooth ride without excessive body movement.
While its light steering and lack of feedback may detract from spirited driving on winding roads, these characteristics make it a confident and practical choice for daily use.
Pricing and Value
The Tiguan’s starting price ranges from £35,080 to £48,545. Entry-level models start at £32,026, positioning the Tiguan higher than alternatives like the Kia Sportage or Skoda Karoq. However, its comprehensive standard equipment levels—equivalent to mid-spec trims in competitors—help justify the cost.
There are five trims to choose from, ranging from entry-level models with a 130hp petrol engine to the top-tier Elegance and R-Line trims. The higher trims include advanced equipment, with the R-Line adding sporty aesthetics and body-hugging seats.
Interior Quality and Infotainment
The updated infotainment system marks a significant improvement, offering intuitive smartphone-like functionality with customizable widgets and shortcuts. However, the touch-sensitive climate controls and sliders may take some getting used to.
Material quality throughout the cabin is excellent, with soft-touch plastics and solid build quality that rival premium models, although some hard plastics remain in less visible areas.
Fuel Efficiency and Running Costs
The Tiguan’s petrol and diesel engines deliver decent efficiency, with official figures of up to 46.3mpg for petrol and 52.3mpg for diesel.
The plug-in hybrid’s all-electric range of 62 miles promises lower running costs for those who can charge regularly, making it an excellent option for short commutes and family trips.
Safety and Reliability
Standard safety features across the range include adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, with higher trims offering advanced systems like Travel Assist. However, Volkswagen’s three-year/60,000-mile warranty lags behind competitors offering longer coverage.
The Volkswagen Tiguan’s balanced blend of practicality, comfort, and advanced features makes it a compelling choice for families. With competitive pricing and strong standard equipment, the Tiguan remains a solid contender in the family SUV market.
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