CD Article: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Comfortline 4MOTION

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


4MOTION: An affordable German CUV that offers plenty of driving pleasure, the new 200-hp Tiguan is "a great value" says contributor Haney Louka, but it isn't available with an optional V6 engine, he notes.

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[initial_D]

Price as tested: $35,625, IMO, very attractive pricing. Only seen one of these on the road so far, seen plenty of Touareg tho.

[rrocket]

Why no 6 speed with 4Motion I wonder??

[Rolling]

I had high hopes for the Tiggy, but its debut introduction to North America has left me, and a lot of others scratching their heads.  The number one complaint I’ve been reading in magazines is the lack of options released for this model year as compared to what is already available for the Tiguan in the European/World markets.

The diesel option for one would have given it an early edge in fuel economy, but there’s also the twin-charged 1.4L engine that we don’t get, and could’ve been popular also. From what I’ve read the Tiguan’s fuel economy is not any better than a V6 Rav4, and the Tiguan’s 2.0L Turbo 4 drinks premium!!  Yeah so they say the diesel is coming…but will you be able to order it with 4motion and a 6 speed manual? So far the verdict is NO!

It’s not like I’m asking for a Dual clutch DSG transmission…just a good 6 speed manual that let’s me be in control. The fact that the Tiguans can be ordered in other countries with all the options that I like, and that  they’re missing on the models offered here, has made me lose my interest for now.

[tpl]

I read somewhere, maybe on Vortex that VW is producing every 2litre TDI engine that their factories are capable of and thats why NA is low on the list for diesel introductions.

[TopGun]

The SEL 4Motion ($37K US as tested) finished last in a Motor Trendy comparo by a CX-7 GT AWD...and in first place, the Forester XT Limited ($30K US as tested).

They state "Cute, refined, and feature-laden, the Tiguan is a winner.  Were it five grand less, it might've been this test's winner."

Although the article states it had the slowest 0-60...slowest 1/4 mile...and a lack of steering feel vs. the Mazda, they really liked the quality of the interior and the ride.

[inco]

The damn thing is selling so well in Europe that they don't want to give us any and really don't have to. No incentive to ship other than keeping dealers amused and profitable when they all sell at full pop.

And our dollar versus the Euro is no bargoon. Yesterday one Euro was $1.60 Canadian. Ouch. Bad timing to have a vacation in Europe this year.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Looked at one very briefly in a parking lot. I don't get it at all. Less room than a Jetta wagon let alone the Passat, higher fuel consumption and price.

[quadzilla]

Looked at one very briefly in a parking lot. I don't get it at all. Less room than a Jetta wagon let alone the Passat, higher fuel consumption and price.

So you can sit up high. I guess that is the price you pay?

I was shocked to read that the Jetta wagon is larger than the Passat wagon.

the mid-sized Passat will accept 1,751, and the new Jetta wagon takes a surprising 1,897 litres

A little more length back there would not only increase the Tig's rear visual appeal, it would allow it to swallow a little more than the 1,589 litres than it currently can with the rear seat folded (that number drops to 700 if the rear seats are in use). Nonetheless, the Tiguan's cargo hold is nicely shaped and nicely finished, and folding the seats flat is a simple affair.

For those trying to decide whether to move up (literally) from one of VW's hatchbacks or wagons, you should know that the Tiguan isn't exactly a monster when it comes to swallowing cargo: the Rabbit can hold 1,303 litres, the mid-sized Passat will accept 1,751, and the new Jetta wagon takes a surprising 1,897 litres of stuff behind the front seats. So if you want car-like handling with cargo versatility, there are other choices in the VW stable.

[Rolling]

Here’s some quick numbers.
-   Population of U.S.A: 301 Million
-   Population of Canada: 32 Million
-   Population of Australia: 21 Million
Current exchange rates:
   1 Euro = 1.56 US Dollars
   1 Euro = 1.60 Canadian Dollars
   1 Euro = 1.64 Australian Dollars

Guess what I can buy if I lived in Australia?
http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en_au/New_Cars/Tiguan/trim_lines/Tiguan_103TDI.html

So what gives? Its not like it’s any cheaper to ship the Tiguan’s to Australia, and I don’t think every one drives VW’s over there.  Don’t’ tell me it’s because they drive on the other side?!

[airbalancer]

http://www.volkswagentdi.com.au/

A lot more choice, but is the engine Tier 2 Bin 5?
IF not, do not even bring it up, as the engine is not allowed in NA

[inco]

I guess the Aussies like diesels more than we do in North America and let's face it - we don't get them because we are so small. If they liked them in the USA and bought them, we would soon have them here.

VW though has a capacity problem and can't build enough to meet the demand. Business 101 - how to stay profitable. They have that mastered - GM and Ford should be so lucky.

[carcrazy]

After closely looking at one in the showroom, I fail to see how the Tiguan pricing is attractive. I think the price, or better off the value of the package, would be the last consideration if you purchase it. It's still more expensive than most other CUVs in the class without offering much more in return to justify that (not even the interior materials are mind blowing). Sure, you could buy it because it's "cute" or merely because you like it, but not because of its value.

[carcrazy]

Fuel Economy (source EPA www.fueleconomy.gov):

Tiguan 4Motion - 18/24/20 (premium)
RAV4 V6 AWD - 19/26/21 (regular)
Outlander V6 4WD - 17/24/20 (regular)

[airbalancer]

Fuel Economy (source EPA www.fueleconomy.gov):

Tiguan 4Motion - 18/24/20 (premium)
RAV4 V6 AWD - 19/26/21 (regular)
Outlander V6 4WD - 17/24/20 (regular)

Is this Imp or US gpm
Did you now on the US site you can change the units to L/100km

[carcrazy]

Fuel Economy (source EPA www.fueleconomy.gov):

Tiguan 4Motion - 18/24/20 (premium)
RAV4 V6 AWD - 19/26/21 (regular)
Outlander V6 4WD - 17/24/20 (regular)

Is this Imp or US gpm
Did you now on the US site you can change the units to L/100km

US MPG. I do know and here they are:
Tiguan 4Motion - 13.1/9.8/11.8 L/100KM (premium)
RAV4 V6 AWD - 12.4/9.0/11.2 L/100KM (regular)
Outlander V6 4WD - 13.8/9.8/11.8 L/100KM (regular)

Oh... and I go by EPA since they seem to be closer to the real world than the Canadian ratings.

[loser40]

I saw one in the metal last week and was surprised of how small it was.

I read somewhere that VW are busily enabling more 2.0T diesel engine factory production lines, so when that is completed NA will be offered it.

DSG - I'm unaware of that being available anywhere in Europe as an option !

As for the Tiguan being over priced, you have to bare in mind resale values - this usually makes a VW a safe bet and an economical long term buy, & remember that not everyone is bothered with 0-60 times and slightly better MPG  etc etc, so, 'cos it's a VDub and has a certain cache', it WILL sell buy the bucket load - particularly when the Derv comes to NA.

M.

[carcrazy]

As for the Tiguan being over priced, you have to bare in mind resale values - this usually makes a VW a safe bet and an economical long term buy, & remember that not everyone is bothered with 0-60 times and slightly better MPG  etc etc, so, 'cos it's a VDub and has a certain cache', it WILL sell buy the bucket load - particularly when the Derv comes to NA.

M.

At least in Canada, the VWs don't really have a good resale value nor they sell "buy the bucket load" .... unless the Tiguan will change that, which I highly doubt.

[tpl]

I saw one in the metal last week and was surprised of how small it was.

I read somewhere that VW are busily enabling more 2.0T diesel engine factory production lines, so when that is completed NA will be offered it.

DSG - I'm unaware of that being available anywhere in Europe as an option !

As for the Tiguan being over priced, you have to bare in mind resale values - this usually makes a VW a safe bet and an economical long term buy, & remember that not everyone is bothered with 0-60 times and slightly better MPG  etc etc, so, 'cos it's a VDub and has a certain cache', it WILL sell buy the bucket load - particularly when the Derv comes to NA.

M.

Really? You mean that the DSG on Tiguans is not available?     I wonder why.  I would have thought that the sooner VW got rid of all the slushboxes and replaced them with various varieties and strengths (torque wise) of DSGs the better it would be for them.

Somewhere I saw that NA would be getting the very latest 7 speed DSG in the Tig.

[Schmengie]

  Tijuana Comfortline?? Does it come with a case of Tequila to make you feel better about buying it?