This improved version of the second generation Volkswagen Tiguan looks a strong package. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen's much improved take on their second generation Tiguan mid-sized SUV delivers a high quality, well priced package that's now smarter and more efficient. All the car you'll ever really need? Many see it as just that.

Background

If you're planning to spend somewhere in the £25,000-£40,000 bracket on a mid-sized SUV or Crossover, you'll certainly not be short of choice. In 2007 Volkswagen brought us this car, the Tiguan, a contender in this SUV class that was arguably less compromised than any other. A second generation version launched in 2016 and it's the updated version of that MK2 model we're looking at here.

The Tiguan model line has historically been hugely successful for Volkswagen, having accounted for nearly 6 million global sales to date. And the reasons aren't hard to fathom. Here, you've all the class of a Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4 at a significant saving in cost, pricing being not too much more than Far Eastern budget brand models in this segment. Let's see how the improved version of this car stacks up.

Driving Experience

As before, the Tiguan range is primarily based around a 1.5-litre TSI petrol unit with either 130 or 150PS. There's also a 2.0 TSI petrol unit offering either 190PS or 245PS. And a 2.0-litre TDI diesel, which now gets more efficient twin-dosing selective catalytic reduction system and in the mainstream range can be had in either 150PS or 200PS guises. You'll need the diesel option if you want 4MOTION 4WD. You can also now have a new PHEV 'eHybrid' petrol model which uses the same 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and electric motor as the Golf GTE. This, Volkswagen says, will give the plug-in hybrid Tiguan an all-electric driving range of 31 miles and the ability to travel at speeds of up to 81mph in electric-only mode.

There's also a high performance Tiguan R variant which gets an up rated 320PS version of the 2.0-litre TSI petrol turbo engine already used in the T-Roc R.

Design and Build

As before, there are two body shapes on offer. Our focus here is on the standard five-seat body style, but a seven-seat 'Allspace' variant continues to be also offered. Volkswagen claims that the re-designed front end of this updated Tiguan lends the car a significantly more confident appearance. There's a wider, more imposing radiator grille that's separated by full-LED headlights.

Inside, the cabin has been bought into line with some of Volkswagen's newer models, with the latest version of the company's infotainment system and the availability of larger touchscreens. The 10-inch digital instrument binnacle screen has also been updated. There's a re-designed steering wheel featuring touch controls and Volkswagen has also improved the climate control functions by means of touch sliders and touch buttons - like you'll find in the Golf 8. As before, there's decent passenger space on a rear bench that can slide back and forth. And luggage space is up to 615-litres with the standard 60/40 split folding rear seats in place - or 1655-litres with the seats lowered.

Market and Model

Expect pricing to sit mainly in the £25,000 to £45,000 bracket and count on having to find a premium of just over £2,000 if you want the 4MOTION 4WD system on the diesel variant. There's a base-trim variant and beyond that, customers choose between 'Life', 'Elegance' and 'R-Line' trim levels. Standard equipment across the range includes a 10-inch centre-dash infotainment screen with an operating interface that responds to the command 'Hey Volkswagen', followed by whatever you want to ask. All models come with alloy wheels, 'Climatic' semi-automatic air conditioning, a trip computer, all-round electric windows, an alarm and power heated door mirrors. Plus there's a 'We Connect Go' app that allows you to interacts with your Tiguan from wjherever you are using your smartphone.

Safety kit includes a clever 'Automatic Post-Collision Braking System' that automatically brakes the car down to 6mph after a collision - so if, say, someone hits you and, understandably, you go to pieces, the car will automatically sort itself out. There's also a 'Front Assist' system that at speed, scans the road ahead as you drive for potential accident hazards, warning you if one is detected and automatically braking if necessary. You get that same kind of functionality at urban speeds too, as part of a 'City Emergency Braking' system included as part of the 'Front Assist' package.

Cost of Ownership

Let's look at the WLTP-rated figures. The latest 1.5 TSI 130PS petrol unit achieves a WLTP-certified figure of up to 44.8mpg on the combined cycle, while emitting up to 143g/km CO2. For the 1.5 TSI 150PS variant, the figures are up to 42.8mpg and 151g/km. The 2.0 TSI 190PS engine can deliver up to 34.0mpg on the combined cycle and up to 189g/km of CO2. Go for a 2.0 TDI diesel 150PS DSG model with 4MOTION 4WD and you can expect up to 42.8mpg and a CO2 reading of 173g/km, which is pretty creditable.

The eHybrid PHEV model offers a credible alternative to diesels and boasts 31 mile electric only WLTP driving range. Expect your BiK tax exposure with a Tiguan eHybrid to be based on a combined cycle fuel economy figure of over 200mpg and emissions of under 40g/km. Powering this Volkswagen PHEV up from a domestic socket would take around five hours, but most owners will want to find an extra few hundred pounds to install a Wallbox charger in their garages. Use such a wallbox - or indeed plug in to one of the many public charging points springing up around the country - and you'll be able to reduce your charging time period from empty to around three hours and thirty minutes.

Summary

It's not hard to see why the Tiguan is such a popular choice in its sector here in the UK. You get pretty much all the quality of premium-badged mid-sized SUV for not much more than the price of a budget brand contender.

And an extra dash of polish in everything it does that'll make you feel good when you're at the wheel. A sensible choice then, but one you'll enjoy making.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Volkswagen Tiguan

PRICES: £25,305-£45,410 – on the road

CATEGORY: SUV - FAMILY HATCH-BASED C-SEGMENT

INSURANCE GROUPS: 15E – 36E

CO2 EMISSIONS: (1.5 TSI 130PS) 143g/km [WLTP]

PERFORMANCE: (1.5 TSI 130PS) 0-60mph 10.2s / max speed 119mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (1.5 TSI 130PS) (combined) 44.8mpg

BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 615-1,655

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4486/1839/1654 mm