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Volkswagen Tiguan

TIG THINKS BIG (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The rejuvenated third generation Volkswagen Tiguan looks a strong package. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 43

Volkswagen's third generation Tiguan has been subtly moved up-market but will retain a familiar appeal to hordes of loyal customers who liked this lower-mid-sized SUV's two predecessors. It's been redesigned outside and completely upgraded within. Plus it's more electrified, bigger and better connected.

Backgroundword count: 169

It's difficult to overstate the importance of the Tiguan to Volkswagen. Since the introduction of this mid-sized SUV model line back in 2007, it's regularly been the brand's global best seller, consistently since 2018 ahead of the Golf hatch it's always borrowed its engineering from. The second generation version announced in 2016 was even more successful than the first, contributing greatly to a sales total that had crested 7.5 million by the time of the introduction of the third generation model we look at here in Autumn 2023. This rejuvenated design shares its general size and market positioning with its predecessor (just above the T-Roc, just below the Touareg); but not a lot else. The evolved exterior look is merely a prelude to a completely redesigned cabin which borrows much from the design revolution also seen in the latest Passat (with which this Tiguan now shares its upgraded MQB-Evo platform). Infotainment's also on a different level from before, borrowing lessons learned from the ID.7. It all sounds quite promising.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 341

Probably the most familiar part of this third generation Tiguan is what lies beneath its bonnet. But lots of work has gone in here too. Volkswagen may not be developing any completely new combustion engines, but it's still spending lots of time refettling the old ones. Both the 2.0-litre TSI petrol units (204PS and 265PS) and the 150PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel feature updates; only the 2.0-litre petrol unit gets the company's usual 4MOTION 4WD system. Below these, the brand has slotted in new mild hybrid 1.5 litre front-driven eTSI petrol models at the affordable end of the range (choose from 130PS or 150PS outputs). That eTSI 1.5-litre unit makes another appearance as part of this rejuvenated Tiguan's Plug-in Hybrid powertrain. Which has had its EV range extended with a new 19.7kWh battery claimed to be able to take the car up to 62 miles without troubling fossil fuel. The eHybrid models in question both use this battery allied to a 113bhp electric motor driving only the front wheels and there's the choice of two versions, one offering 204PS, the other 272PS. As before, PHEV Tiguans use a 6-speed DSG auto gearbox - in contrast to the 7-speed DSG auto transmission that all other Tiguans must now have. Well almost all: we expect an all-electric ID.Tiguan model later in production, but VW hasn't confirmed that yet. There will almost certainly be a high performance Tiguan R model too, using the latest 315bhp version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol turbo unit found in the Golf R. Across the range, Volkswagen wants this to ride like a more luxurious car, so has re-worked the MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension set-up with new dampers and revised anti-roll bars. A lot of work's also been put into the optional adaptive damping system as part of a new Dynamic Chassis Control Pro set-up. This controls the electronic differential locks and also includes a Vehicle Dynamics Manager system from the Golf GTI which allows the driver to alter damping feel across a choice of fifteen settings.

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Pictures (high res disabled)

Statistics (subset of data only)

Min

Max

Price:

£35,000.00 (At 9 Oct 2023)

£50,000.00 (At 9 Oct 2023)

CO2 (g/km):

140 (1.5 eTSI)

Max Speed (mph):

119 (1.5 TSI)

Combined Mpg:

45 (1.5 TSI)

Length (mm):

4540

Width (mm):

1840

Height (mm):

1670

Boot Capacity (l):

652

Scoring (subset of scores)

Category: Crossover or SUV 4x4s

Performance
70%
Handling
70%
Comfort
70%
Space
70%
Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

This is an excerpt from our full review.
To access the full content library please contact us on 0330 0020 227 or click here

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