122 wheelsmag.com.au
MORELIKEASUPERBSKODATHANAWHOLE-IN-ONEVW
SCORE Volkswagen Tiguan Trendline
2
ND
/ 10
8.0
IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE how the Tiguan is viewed as
the Golf of medium SUVs. Based on the MQB modular
architectural component tech-fest underpinning
most transverse-engined Volkswagen Group cars,
the 110TSI Trendline actually is closest to our 2013
COTY-award winning (and enduring benchmark small-
car) hatchback. Certainly in terms of lightness and
efficiency, including the entry-level front-drive variant’s
ultra-sweet 1.4-litre turbo
four-pot and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Given the Golf’s supremacy, we expected the
Wolfsburg crossover to bulldoze all before it. So how
is second place even possible with such guaranteed
genetic goodness, particularly when the list of pros
comprehensively outweighs the cons?
Significantly larger, longer and wider than its dinky
predecessor, the second-gen Tiguan is a packaging
knockout, offering an exceptionally airy, spacious and
solid cabin environment infused with palpable quality.
Anybody familiar with any contemporary Volkswagen
will instantly connect with the elegant instrumentation,
superbly crafted steering wheel, sensible central
touchscreen interface, firm yet ably supportive seating,
and the almost sensual tactility of materials
In this base Trendline we identified 10 surprise-
and-delight features none of the others offer, such as
flocked door bins, a ratchet-actuated height-and-length
adjustable central armrest, infinitely adjustable front-
seat reclining mechanism, climate-controlled glovebox,
proximity-sensitive multimedia interface, louvered
cupholder jalousie, a frameless rear-view mirror, and
a sliding back seat. Only one other SUV here features
remote-control window operation (Escape), and another
a passenger-seat height adjuster (CX-5).
Yet visible expanses of plain vinyl trim and the lack
of a centre armrest does make Tiguan’s rear quarters
feel somewhat austere, particularly compared to the
salubrious-looking Mazda. Lucky that Teflon-smooth
engine reclaims some of that premium goodness.
Marginally the quickest yet clearly the most
economical, Wolfsburg’s 110kW 1395cc firecrackerinfuses the Tiguan with waterslide levels of slickness.
Half a second ahead of the next-best to 100km/h,
first to 400m and quickest in both the 30-70km/h and
80-120km/h brackets, it’s also the most parsimonious
on petrol by nearly a litre. The almost viceless Tiguan
proudly upholds the Golf’s mantle of unassailable
efficiency. What a joy... in the right conditions.
That’s what makes the laggy nothing-then-everything
step-off acceleration all the more infuriating, especially
when accompanied by front axle tramp that turns
violent over damp roads. Difficult to modulate in heavy
traffic, you wonder whether Volkswagen’s engineers
actually fully validated the 1.4 DSG combo. Living with
it in wet peak-hour commutes would have us crying out
for even the Outlander’s soul-sapping CVT. Our advice
is to avoid infuriation by choosing the delightful, and
cheaper, six-speed manual base Tiguan instead (the
same applies to the Ford Escape too, BTW.)
A similar snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory
scenario sullies the Tiguan’s almost supernaturally
gifted steering, handling and roadholding
characteristics. When the roads and environment align,
nothing here touches the 110TSI’s suave cornering
speed, incisive handling and fearless body control.
This thing can reel in a mountain pass with the killer
instinct and confidence of a warm hatch.
But there’s an inevitable but. Unless traversing glassy
surfaces, the ride always feels agitated, with excessive
(for a Volkswagen) road noise joining the unsettled
suspension. This particular Golf-on-stilts is just too
stiff-legged for a family hauler. Earth calling Wolfsburg:
time to democratise those adaptive dampers! The
$50K-plus Tiguan R-Line is way beyond the reach of this
lowly end of the medium SUV class.
This, and the jerky powertrain progress, is why
the Tiguan ultimately sounds and feels more like an
Octavia (which is a plus-sized, 10-percent-inferior Golf
in Skoda drag) than the iconic Wolfsburg hatch. Not the
leap forward in refinement over its predecessor that
this Megatest’s winner so clearly is, VW needs to finish
finessing its otherwise brilliant medium SUV. BM$35,190
Engine
1495cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v turbo
Power
110kW @ 5000-6000rpm
Torque
250Nm @ 1500-3500rpm
Transmission
7-speed dual-clutch
Dimensions
(L/W/H/W-B)
4486/1839/1648/2681mm
Weight
1450kg
Cargo capacity
615 litres
Tyres
Michelin Primacy 3
215/65R17 99V
Fuel consumption
9.5L/100km (tested)
0-60km/h
4.2sec
0-100km/h
9.1sec
0-400m
16.7sec @ 135.9km/h
30-70km/h
3.4sec
80-120km/h
6.8sec
100km /h-0
37.8m
3yr resale
52%
✔ Superb efficiency; strong
grunt; roomy packaging
✘^ Busy ride, austere cabin- Includes metallic paint ($700)
SPECS