Volkswagen has a new model in its lineup, the 2020 Tiguan. The 2020 Tiguan is a compact cross-over that has a distinctive design, plenty room, and a surprising interior, particularly on the top-end trim models.
The tiguan offers plenty of space for families and a lot of technology that will keep everyone happy. It also has good fuel economy, though it's not as efficient as the base engines of many competitors.
A Tiguan R price starts at about R999 900 for the base FWD trim, and the range-topping SE R-Line Black version costs about $31,315 for front-wheel drive (and $34,990 for 4Motion). Both cars come equipped with the usual features, including a panoramic sunroof and VW’s excellent infotainment.
It has plenty of cargo room and a boot that is impressive at 615 litres. The boot is large enough to hold all your flatpacks and, when the third row is folded, you can fit a family of five or four.
As one would expect in a compact crossover, the driving posture is elevated and visibility is excellent. Legroom is plentiful in the back, even if your height is above average.
Wide door openings make this car easy to get into. The rear seats can be moved forward and back to adjust boot space or seat position depending on your needs.
There's one catch, however: the Tiguan's third-row seats are not as flexible as those of some of its rivals. It also takes some strength to get into and out of the 2nd row.
The car isn't as attractive as some SUVs. It's too bad because the interior is very nice.
Interior is well-designed and intuitive, with plenty of technology available that's worth it. Dashboard features touchscreen controls and a digital instrument display that makes it easy to use the infotainment systems.
Getting around the city is easy too, thanks to the big wheels and light weight. We got an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon in our test, which is about what you'd expect for a small SUV.
The Tiguan comes with a Sport setting that increases the acceleration and steering. Volkswagen isn't offering adaptive dampers as a standard feature.
You can't blame them since it takes a great deal of work to fit the car correctly.
Volkswagen should consider adding more active safety functions to the Tiguan. This could include a reversing camera that follows the car's route, or some kind of automatic braking.
It would also be cool to see VW bring in a new engine that offers more power, like a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit. This would give the car a bit more bite and make it more exciting to drive.
Other options are available, including a plug in hybrid. It's not available in South Africa, but it's a nice option to have.