Volkswagen Tiguan, Track Test

The long-awaited VW Tiguan was launched to much fanfare earlier this year. And rightly so, the first reasonably affordable SUV in India from the German brand is an opportunity for VW to cash in on the current SUV craze. 

It might not be an in-you-face SUV design that many customers tend to prefer these days, but the Tiguan offers classic German design language that’s typical VW. So, you get a handsome looking SUV, with sharp character lines that sweep from the sides all the way to the rear to form an interesting design detail above the LED taillights. Overall, while a bit more aggression would probably work better for the Indian consumer, the Tiguan is a handsome product with good road presence. The interiors too remain standard VW fare, which means that the quality levels of the car are very good, and it’s quite well equipped too – if not a little staid in its layout. There’s ample interior space for five full-size adults and the front seats in particular are a comfortable place to spend time in. In fact, the size of the Tiguan is something that works greatly in its favour. It’s actually the perfect sized SUV for a small family to use both in urban conditions and on long highway trips. The trouble with the Tiguan is the limited rear seat space it offers if you’re chauffer driven. 

Fitted with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system as standard, the Tiguan is available only with a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 141bhp and 340Nm of torque. Transmission choice is also limited to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Out on the road, the Tiguan has more than adequate power for everyday use. The mid-range in fact is actually very good, and it makes driving the car in both heavy traffic and on open highways an easy task. Of course, the one big advantage of the Tiguan is its ride and handling – which is beautifully setup and makes mile munching an easy task. 

The Tiguan scored well in terms of refinement, quality and its drivetrain, but it loses out slightly due to its high price tag. But if you’re looking for a usable, quality SUV with an understated design, the Tiguan makes a great case for itself. 

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