Volkswagen has added a new Tiguan model to their lineup. 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 car is great for families. It has plenty space and a ton of tech that keeps everyone happy. It also has good fuel economy, though it's not as efficient as the base engines of many competitors.
The Tiguan R starts at around R999 900 in the base FWD trim. The top SE R-Line Black model costs approximately $31,315 (or $34,990 if you opt for 4Motion). Both are equipped with all of the standard gizmos, such as a sunroof that opens up, a sat-nav system and VW's excellent Infotainment System.
It's a comfortable ride, too, and it has loads of cargo room, including an impressive 615-litre boot. It's enough space to transport all of your flat-pack furnishings, and the third row can be folded down for more room.
As you would expect from a small SUV, visibility and the driving position are both excellent. Even if you are taller than the average person, there is plenty of legroom at the rear.
With its wide doors, this is an easy car to get in and out of. You can adjust the rear seats to suit your needs by sliding them forward or back.
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.
It's not an exciting car to look at either. The interior of the car is actually quite good.
The interior has a good amount of optional tech that is worth the price. The dashboard has touchscreen controls as well as a digital display. This makes using the infotainment easy.
It's easy to navigate the city with the large wheels and the 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.
For a more energetic driving experience, you can choose the Tiguan Sport mode. This sharpens both the throttle and steering. Volkswagen isn't offering adaptive dampers as a standard feature.
You can't fault them because it takes time to get the correct fit.
Volkswagen would be wise to add active safety features to its Tiguan. The Tiguan could have a rearview cam that tracks the car or autonomous braking.
VW should bring out an engine that has more power. A 2.0-liter turbocharged motor would be awesome. The car would feel more fun and energetic.
Other options are available, including a plug in hybrid. South Africa doesn't have it, but it is a good option.