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 In a crowded SUV market, Volkswagen’s latest model manages to stand out from the rest, writes Peter Walton.
This month has seen the arrival of Volkswagen’s latest model in their showrooms – a new compact 4x4 SUV called the Tiguan (interestingly, no one from Volkswagen HQ to the dealers can agree of how its pronounced). But luckily for VW, it’s probably the best compact SUV in its class.
There will be a number of models available although you will have to wait until next year if you want anything other than a turbo diesel model.
The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s first attempt at the mid-size 4WD market after the success they have had with the larger and more luxurious Touareg, a car that VW would be keen to have this new model associated with, even though it is a totally different car altogether.
The Tiguan is unmistakably a Volkswagen and looks like a cross between the Golf and the Passat. And one of the best things about the car is its handling – it handles and drives like a Golf whilst having the extra height and visibility and being able to manage those Ribena slicks left on Casade Street in Paddington that you need a 4x4 in the city for.
The standard equipment levels are high, like most imported cars at the moment (it’s the manufacturer’s way of not reducing the cost of the car with the Australian dollar being so strong).
That said, there are still lots of options to add including heated leather seats, satellite navigation and larger alloy wheels. When you option the Tiguan up with all the bells and whistles, it goes from a quiet and affordable $34,000 to $57,100, making it just under the luxury car tax threshold.
However, in my opinion, it’s not a luxury car. Then again, it’s not Volkswagen that say it is, it’s our government.
The Tiguan enters a market dominated by the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson and it is without doubt the best looking. However, you might want to wait until the petrol models arrive early next year.
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