VW Tiguan: An Almost Perfect Companion

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

The VW Tiguan came on the market late. But that couldn't prevent his way into the bestseller lists. The compact SUV from Wolfsburg offers everything you can expect from a car in this segment.

By Elfriede Munsch

He came and won. What is meant is the VW Tiguan. In contrast to the original Latin quote veni, vedi, vici, it is not known whether the late bloomer, which only came onto the market in 2007, still had time to see in between. That shouldn't matter, after all, the compact SUV from Wolfsburg has been successful across the board since its debut and quickly left the competition behind. The bestseller received a minor facelift last summer. We asked the 2.0 TDI with 125 kW / 170 PS and all-wheel drive in the Sport & Style equipment for an everyday test.

The most striking thing about the VW Tiguan is its inconspicuousness. The optical retouches that have graced the Wolfsburg since the facelift also contribute to this. The formerly friendly grinning "face" had to give way to the serious facial expressions of the prevailing VW design specifications. As a result, the 4.52-meter-long compact SUV resembles its big brother Touareg from the front and it is difficult to distinguish the vehicles when looking in the rearview mirror. The test Tiguan did not arouse the curiosity of the neighbors either, at best it was registered that we were driving a VW.

Don't be afraid of innovations

This feeling of inconspicuousness also continues inside. Inmates do not have to fear innovations. Design experiments or worse, control buttons that are not where they have always been found? But not: Everything looks and feels as you would expect from a Wolfsburg family member. This at least makes it easier to find your way around, but increases the boredom factor.

As if those responsible for VW wanted to counteract the latter, the equipment variant we drive comes with a drowsiness warning as standard. Based on the driving times and movements, the driver notices whether the driver is in danger of falling asleep and then makes himself noticeable visually and acoustically. When driving at night, however, the automatic high beam assistant ensured that you remained focused - probably unintentionally.

It took the helper too long to switch from high beam back to normal low beam when there was oncoming traffic. Understandably, the blinded drivers reacted a bit swiftly and also glared. So we deactivated the automatic helper and manually switched between low beam and high beam again.

In contrast, the traffic sign recognition integrated in the navigation system was usually practical and helpful. Thanks to the signs shown on the display, you always have an overview of the speed zone you are currently in - unless you are driving through a traffic-calmed zone. The assistant did not provide correct information here. Instead of the blue sign with the children playing, which stands for walking pace, the “30 zone” lit up. A radar measurement would have threatened considerable hardship. But thinking along does not hurt (even) when driving a car.

If you don't like parking the Tiguan, you can order the parking assistant for 755 euros. VW charges 2,220 euros for the radio navigation system, which has many additional functions. And for 360 euros there is a keyless start and lock system. That in turn - you guessed it - had its little pitfalls. When the temperature was below zero, the doors would rather be opened or locked by pressing the appropriate key buttons.