Road test
VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan 2021
Can the compact SUV hold its own against a slew of rivals updated more recently?
February 11, 2021
Pros and cons
Pros
- Roomy cabin
- Guaranteed versatility
- Simple controls
- Comfortable ride
- Reasonable fuel consumption
- Precise and well-weighted steering
Cons
- Tepid performance
- Automatic transmission sometimes slow
- Body lean in curves
- Noisy acceleration
- Useless and cumbersome third row
- Absence of automatic braking on base model
Overview
The current Volkswagen Tiguan has been around for nearly four years, which makes it one of the “oldest” of the segment. The North American version missed out on both the partial remake and the plug-in hybrid that appeared in Europe last year. Instead, change is limited to the replacement of IQ.Drive trim by the United version, positioned next to top in the lineup. Considerably enlarged in 2018, the Tiguan is still one of the only compact SUV’s to offer three rows of seats.
The first generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan enjoyed some success in Quebec, but it was too small and overly typified as “sporty” to succeed on a continental scale. The current edition targets a much wider public as much by means of size and content as competitive price now that it is assembled in Mexico instead of Germany.
CAA-Quebec tested one recently to see how it stands up to a slew of more recently updated rivals.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Tiguan is touted as the sportiest SUV of them all, but it’s not. In the compact segment, that title goes to the Mazda CX‑5 or for that matter the Ford Escape. However, what the VW lost in handling, it gained in space, versatility and comfort, and fuel efficiency, like several of the brand’s other products. Even reliability seems to have improved over time, though a Toyota RAV4 or a Mazda CX‑5 are still superior in that regard.
Evaluation
Body, cabin and cargo space
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the longest compact SUV’s on the market, quite the opposite of the first generation. It shows in the interior; there is plenty of room, at least in the first two rows of seats. Forget the third row, which is as tight as it is uncomfortable. It considerably limits cargo volume, using up available height even when folded. Fortunately, it is optional.The front seats provide good support, but they are firm and they hug you less than you’d expect from a German vehicle. The wide centre console and too-low centre armrest—non-adjustable, contrary to other higher-end VW products—hamper the driving position. You also have to deal with the unusual forward tilt of the steering wheel, a bit like a bus’s.
The traditional gauges on Trendline and Comfortline trims are very easy to read. The trip computer has a myriad of functions, but its logic requires getting used to. United and Highline models come with an all-digital instrument cluster that is highly customizable. The touch screen is comprehensive but its graphic design is getting outdated and the GPS is not always precise. On the other hand, it is easy to use. Climate control, seat heating and driving modes all have separate, easy-to-access controls.
Other highlights
Finish: good, but less meticulous than the preceding generation or Mazda CX‑5. Materials are just adequate, with rather cheap-looking hard plastic on the console and bottom of the dash.
Convenience: standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and practical storage spaces. Wireless charging, navigation, keyless ignition, power driver’s seat and automatic climate control beginning on Comfortline trim. This year Volkswagen removed two of the three 12V outlets and replaced the conventional USB ports by Type C outlets; you may have to buy an adapter to connect certain devices.
Safety features
- Antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist
- Stability and traction control
- Hill descent assist (with AWD)
- Front airbags
- Front side airbags
- Side curtain airbags
- Five or seven adjustable or foldable head restraints
- Tire pressure monitor
- Rearview camera
- Blind-spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection (standard, Comfortline, United and Highline; unavailable, Trendline)
- Lane departure alert with automatic steering assist, lane centering assist, automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control (standard, Highline; unavailable, other trims. All except parking sensors were standard on the 2020 IQ.Drive, replaced this year by the United.)
Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Overall score: 5 / 5
Frontal impact: 4 / 5
Side impact: 5 / 5
Rollover resistance: 4 / 5
Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact:
- driver side: 4 / 4
- passenger side: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4
IIHS Top Safety Pick
Visibility
Generally good for a crossover thanks to good glass surface. Vaguely triangular shape and small size of outside mirrors impede lane changing, partially offset by blind-spot monitor.Headlights: the halogen headlights standard on all trims except Highline received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s lowest rating because of inadequate lighting in all directions. The Highline’s LED headlights performed well, earning a top rating.
Mechanical overview
The Volkswagen Tiguan is based on the highly modular MQB platform used by VW on all models with a transverse engine for several years. Unlike the Golf and Jetta, which have a rear torsion-bar suspension, the SUV gets a more sophisticated multilink setup.Nothing could be simpler when it comes to the engine. The only available drivetrain combines a 2.0‑litre direct injected turbocharged four with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine develops a competitive 184 horsepower, whereas the 221 pound-feet of torque, available at 1,600 rpm, is above average for the segment. All models come with automatic stop/start designed to improve fuel economy.
Trimline models come standard with front-wheel drive; you have to pony up an extra $2,200 to get the all-wheel drive that is standard on all the other trims. This 4Motion system redirects part of the power to the rear during acceleration or in case of front-wheel slippage. It is not to be confused with the Quattro full-time all-wheel-drive system that equips most of the Audi models.
Drivers have a choice of several drive modes for off-road, snow or dry-pavement conditions. Their usefulness in everyday driving is open to discussion, to say the least. On the other hand, “Individual” mode is practical, for example allowing you to firm up the steering without having to deal with the high-rev shifts of Sport mode.
ATV, snowmobile and camping enthusiasts will regret to note that the 2018 remake reduced towing capacity from 998 kg (2,200 lb) to 680 kg (1,500 lb), erasing one of the Tiguan’s competitive advantages.
At 9.9 L/100 km, the official combined city/highway fuel consumption rating seems rather high. But our summer test, three-quarters on the highway, yielded an astonishing return of 8.1 L/100 km, one-half litre less than Natural Resources Canada’s highway rating. So like the Jetta sedan, the Tiguan ranks among the best in class in terms of fuel economy, according to our tests.
Driving impressions
Sadly, the Volkswagen Tiguan’s drivetrain does not display the customary spirit of VW turbo engines. Despite the generous (claimed) torque number, performance lags behind that of the preceding model and several competitors. It is particularly noticeable when passing or merging onto the highway; performance is adequate in the city.No doubt the 200 kg the Tiguan gained in the 2018 remake, and transmission delay in situations demanding crisp downshifts, are both to blame. The transmission sometimes also lacks smoothness. European models get a dual-clutch transmission that probably eliminates those issues, if it functions like that of other Volkswagens.
As it has grown in size, the Tiguan has lost some of the dynamism that characterised the former model. The steering is still precise, linear and well-weighted enough to add a touch of driving enjoyment. If that is not sufficient, Sport mode reduces the level of assistance enough to be immediately noticeable. The steering displays good straight-line tracking and stability.
It is the suspension that undermines the Tiguan in curves. The vehicle leans notably, seeming more cumbersome than it actually is. Navigating twisty roads has become a task rather than a pleasure, compared to the outgoing model.
The flip side is that the ride benefits greatly from that compliance on bumpy roads. Most pavement defects are filtered out before they reach the cabin. Our tester had 17‑inch wheels and tires with relatively high sidewalls. Based on our experience, the 19‑inch tires included in the R‑line package are likely to degrade comfort considerably.
Other highlights
Braking: pedal is relatively firm and easy to modulate; initial pedal deadzone that plagued the former model has disappeared.
Soundproofing: road noise is well suppressed despite the original made-in-China tires. Engine note is insipid and too loud in acceleration, but well muffled at highway speed.
Driving assistance; adaptive speed control is relatively well tuned. As usual with Volkswagen, it no longer can be used as a regular cruise. Lane keeping alert system is so progressive, it is almost imperceptible, decidedly among the best- integrated systems in the industry.