The Tiguan is a versatile compact SUV that has style and is loaded with quality features. Under the hood is a turbo-charged inline-4 direct-injection engine providing 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. torque, facilitated by a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode.
The Tiguan gives you the experience of an SUV, but with the soul of a sports car. Inside, the cabin is airy, solid, and quiet. This German-engineered design is incredible. Once you start using the split-folding and sliding row seats, you’ll be amazed at what you can fit inside.
There are numerous active and passive safety features, such as a tire pressure monitoring system, child-seat anchors, 3-point safety belts for all seating positions, and an airbag supplemental restraint system for the front seats. These safety features and others help make Tiguan a top safety pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The entry-level Tiguan S comes with 16-inch “Portland” type alloy wheels, all-season tires, and heated exterior mirrors. There are seven exterior paint choices with one cloth, two V-Tex leatherette, and two leather coloured interiors for your consideration. My Tiguan had the Night Blue Metallic exterior with a black cloth interior.
The manual climate control and 8-speaker sound system, which comes with an MP3, a WMA-compatible in-dash CD player, and an AM/FM radio, guarantee that the easy-listening entertainment venues will make an excellent driving experience. Bluetooth with audio streaming keeps you in contact with the outside world, while the 8-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, including adjustable lumbar support, assures your comfort for embellishing the experience.
This Tiguan came with a 12.7-square-foot panoramic sunroof that offers a window of opportunity when it comes to new things to see. The sunroof is included in the manufacturer’s price of $26,810.
While most SUVs have rear seats that can fold down flat, the front passenger seat of the Tiguan has a fold-flat function as well, expanding your ability to carry even more items. Rear seats with a 40/20/40-split folding design give you more flexibility when carrying passengers or cargo. In all, you have 56.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
The technology in the Tiguan is abundant but not complicated because each feature serves a distinct purpose. Being easy to access and understand makes it perfect for folks like me with modest technology knowledge, and at the same time not boring to my 9-year-old grandson.
The Tiguan is large enough to be comfortable, sporty enough to be exciting in handling, frugal enough with the 26 mpg highway, and safe enough for you and your loved ones in your travels..
Warranty Information
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
3-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance
12-year/unlimited distance limited warranty against corrosion perforation
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 102.5 inches
Length: 174.5 inches
Width: 71.2 inches
Height: 66.3 inches
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He made be reached at this newspaper or at [email protected]
