2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
It is tough to say which compact SUV is the best in its class.
There will be plenty of arguments on this website as to which one we would recommend to you. However, we may have one that has been quite popular and offers plenty of features and benefits that others in its class might not have.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has delivered on its promises for the past couple of years with its latest generation model. We wanted to know why this German-designed and engineered entry in this very competitive segment is worth considering.
The Tiguan’s design is very straightforward and practical by nature. The 109.8-inch wheelbase is longer than a lot of its competitors. All four doors open wide, with the rear ones being the longest in its class. The liftgate opens high for great cargo access.
Our tester was the value-laden S model with plenty of handsome features. It featured the halogen headlamp units with LED running lights and a handsome set of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Once inside, you will be greeted with straightforward dashboard that is ready for duty. The instrumentation binnacle has a TFT screen in-between the two big dials. The controls and switches work very well and are good to the touch. The placement of the infotainment system touchscreen is also good with great functionality and connectivity.
The seats are sized well, wrapped in the S model's comfortable cloth upholstery. There is some bolstering and support in the front seats. The second-row seats tend to be a bit flat in terms of comfort, but there is a lot of leg and headroom. You can opt for a third row of seating on all Tiguan trim levels.
All 4Motion models come with just two rows of seats. With the rear seats up, you can load up to 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Fold the second row of seats and you get up to 73.5 cubic feet available. If you choose the third-row option, you will lose 4-7 cubic feet of cargo space overall, because they are equipped with a third row of seats.
Powering the Tiguan is a 184-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also sports 221 pound-feet of torque, a figure that puts the Tiguan on top of its class. Turbo lag is minimal and throttle response is quite good. An eight-speed automatic transmission connects this engine to a permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive system.
A Tiguan with the 4Motion system can achieve 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. We actually saw figures over 30 MPG in our care.
The long wheelbase on the Tiguan is its best asset. The result is a smooth ride. The Tiguan rides comfortably and works hard to absorb imperfections on the road. The Tiguan is built for greater stability and handling when it needs it the most.
The steering system is fine. The wheel provides some feedback from the road and it has a good turning radius for tight situations. Braking is sharp in stops with superb pedal response and feedback. It also offered great stops in normal and panic situations.
Pricing for the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $24,945 for an S model with front-wheel-drive. Our S tester with 4Motion came with a sticker price of $27,265. You can also choose an SE and an SEL model for more standard equipment, as well as an R-Line package that give the Tiguan a sporty personality.
While it is considered among the top offerings in its class, the Volkswagen Tiguan is often compared to its rivals. These competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Journey, and GMC Terrain. The Rogue and Journey offer three-row seating amongst this group.
What Volkswagen has to offer is a vehicle that goes great with people with active lifestyles or small families with growing children. The Tiguan ticks a lot of boxes for anyone looking for a compact SUV that offers more practicality and solid engineering all around.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
