2008 Volkswagen Tiguan First Steer
29 May, 2008
42 Comments 
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a car that will set the revitalised German importer apart and at the same time take it into a headlong battle with some of the most established Japanese brands in one of Australia’s most volatile market segments.
- David Twomey
VW Australia marketing director Peter Dierks says the Tiguan is set to become the second biggest selling VW in Australia, behind the 11,000+ a year VW Golf.
One thing is certain this is not just the first European soft-roader to hit our market, it is very different from almost anything else currently on offer.
One of the most significant differences is that, for the time being at least, it will be a diesel power only vehicle, and that is certain to make life tough for its Japanese rivals, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester, all of which do not have a diesel engine on offer.
The compact SUV market segment is populated with the so-called “user-choosers” the young, middle income, novated-leasing families, who it seems have been major embracers of diesel power in the Australian car market.
Step inside the Tiguan and you are immediately struck at it’s difference from the current offerings that crowd this market segment.
Not only does the dash layout show a strong influence from its Golf heritage, large round dials, centrally placed video display and air-conditioning controls and good all round ergonomics, but it is also undeniably European in feel and style.
The European-style of this car is a big feature as far as VW is concerned but that’s what it sees, rather correctly we think, as being its big point of difference with the rest of the market.
And features abound throughout the Tiguan, even in the base model, except for the range-topping !47TSI petrol model which gets virtually all the options as standard, there is really only one model of Tiguan, plus a list of options and accessories.
Firing up the engine will also make you aware of something else that’s different about the Tiguan, at the moment it is diesel only.
VW Group Australia Managing Director, Jutta Dierks, had two options, wait until later this year to launch the Tiguan with both petrol n diesel engines or go to market now with just the diesel.
Given VW’s strong emphasis on diesel engine technology and an overwhelming urge to get the Tiguan into the Australian market as soon as possible she elected for the latter.
Currently the Tiguan is available with the all-new 103kW TDi common-rail engine. The move to common rail technology is a first for VW and the driveability of the new engine is vastly improved over the old pump-fed diesel.
Except for the undisguised diesel engine start-up sound the engine is extremely quite and like all diesels produces mountains of torque from as low as 12000rpm. The full 320Nm is available from 1750rpm.
The diesel Tiguan, which is priced at $35,990, comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and a six-speed automatic is available as a $2300 option. VW did not opt for the exceptional DSG gearbox in this vehicle because of the need to manage more extreme operating temperatures due to the four-wheel drive system.
When the petrol vehicles are launched later this year there will be a base 125TSI model starting t $33,990, which will use the 125kW four-cylinder, tubo engine and offer either manual or automatic gearboxes and a range topping 147TSi, at $42,990,I which will offer a 147kW four-cylinder, turbo engine with an automatic gearbox only.
Driving the car as we did over a mixture of both major and minor sealed roads plus a short excursion off-road into some dusty, deeply rutted farm roads gave an overall good impression of the Tiguan’s abilities.
This is not a serious off-roader, but then neither are its competitors in the main, and the vehicle, with its very smart Haldex diff system that sends the power to the wheels that need it most, will cope with most mild off-road situations, allowing the Tiguan to move safely through snow, mud and loose sand.
The manual gearbox is typical VW and works smoothly, allowing good use of the diesel engine’s huge spread of torque.
The automatic, which will probably bee the transmission of choice for most buyers, is also good, but does seem to jump up and down gears a little more than is necessary.
Performance was brisk in the diesel, which VW says will go from zero to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds and uses and average of 7.4L/100km. In fact on several hundred kilometres of driving, including some off road, we recorded an average of 8.1L/100km on the cars trip computer.
The Tiguan also has a firm ride, as you would expect from a European car that’s set up essentially to handle well through corners. Ride quality can be a little bumpy on undulating surfaces but not to the point where it becomes a problem.
There are some nice applications of VW technology from models further up the chain, like the electronic park brake, first seen in the Passat, which is operated via a switch in the centre console.
There’s also an ‘auto-hold’ function which electronically engages the rear brakes while the car is at rest and holds the car until the accelerator is depressed.
Brakes are firm and progressive as you would expect in such a composed vehicle.
Not being one of the shortest people in the world I thought the back seat might be a challenge, but not so and there was reasonable legroom and more than adequate headroom, even though the rer seats are positioned higher than those in the front, something that children will probably appreciate more than adults.
Speaking of which the rear seats will be fine for three up to teenage years, but I think two adults in the back would be okay but three would be a definite challenge.
The rear load space looks a little meagre but we were actually able to fill it with a substantial amount of luggage, although its shape des mean that you families with prams might find it challenging. However the rear seats do hold with a 60-40 split leaving a flat load space and also are able to be moved forward, like the front seats to increase the rear space.
The Tiguan comes with a long list of options, including leather upholstery, a 2000kg towing hitch, and a touch-screen sat-nav system that includes a 30gigabyte hard drive and a reversing camera.
There’s also a self-parking option which for $1390 offers the facility for the car to park itself in a suitable parking space.
In all the Tiguan is certain to set the compact SUV market n fire and although VW is going to be short on supply of vehicles this year, Ms Dierks has said that supply will not be a problem in 2009 and she is confident the company will be able to meet any demand.
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May 29th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
It will be interesting to see how this car goes as it is in a very competitive class.
Cheers !
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May 29th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
One day, everyone will be able to spell ‘Forester’. This is bizarre given the derivation of the word. I’ve never heard of anyone calling a forest a ‘forrest’.
Apart from that, the Tiguan seems like a very good thing, as it should be, given that it’s a mini Touareg.
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May 29th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hey the nissan x-trail now has a diesel option, well in june or july anyway… so it does have competition
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May 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Yes but the tiguan is cheaper than the x-trail by $2000 so when the the petrol models come id say they will cost anywhere from 29990 to 30990 but also for a cheaper price yor getting a german vechile with no ugly black door handles [well its 3k more but thats in diesel spec]
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I hope this is a little more successful than the Touareg. Mate had one and had issues. Only 2 people in NSW were able to fix it…but they are every nice cars inside and out.
Any chance this “show off” was at Megalong Vally in the Blue Mountains? Passed by there in the last few days, something with VW was going on there.
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
The Honda CRV has the lovely 2.2 CDTi engine here in the UK, why not Australia.
Impressed with VW’s decision to strart sales of the diesel first, there will be many a convert to the big ‘D’ who will nver return to guzzling petrols.
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Now stop moaning about australian car prices. This start in the UK at $45500. Why do you get it cheaper than us even after its shipped 12000miles. Part of it is our 17.5% VAT (GST).
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Very nice, good looking, tough looking car also. It should do well! (i hope so anyway. VW to beat Toyota!)
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
This looks magic!
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May 29th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Look at all that cabin space, especially with all the seats down, Doh!
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May 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
.. all diesels produces mountains of torque from as low as 12000rpm
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May 29th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Looks odd.
Japper price, NO WAY is it Japper quality.
Buy better, buy Japanese!
Cheers
F-0
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May 30th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Come on CA you boys could have a multi vehicle comparison of say RAV4, Tiguan, Shogun, Cativa, Nissan Dualis, BMW X3, and when they arrive the Ford Kuga, Renaults Koleos, Volvos crosser. That’d be a good day out.
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May 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
And No Name, the one everybody seems to forget, to their detriment, the Santa Fe. Best diesel and value for money of the lot!
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May 30th, 2008 at 11:00 am
F-O
??? - Have you actually had a look at one ?
Yes, it isn’t Japan quality, it is better…
Geez, this is the pick of the small SUV’s. Believe it…
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Look on the bright side No Name - we can get a BMW, SAAB, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Renault, Peugeot, Fiat, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Audi, Citroen, Rolls Royce or most things really for ALOT less than you pay in Aus. Infact for a Rolls Royce Phantom on the road, there is about a 200 - 250,000 AU$ difference between what we pay and what they pay. We dont have it all bad! We also have a much larger ane of cars in the first place.
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Checked out the Tiguan at my local dealer today and it does look very sharp.
Only problem would seem to be the quite short rear luggage area and the space saver spare.In any case they’d all been pre-sold (to people who checked them out on the net
I’d suspect) regardless of these supposed probs and despite the fact that they’re diesel only at this stage. Have to think that the 125 kw petrol may be the way to go if diesel prices continue to outpace petrol.
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Where do come up with this stuff Frugal One.
The n trail might be a good car but in the styling department doesn’t compare. CRV was impressed initially but truly over it now. To many odd angles etc. Hondas are mechanically temperamental also. Rav4 well need I say more?
The finish on these latest VW are superb.
VW has always been renowned for the durability and structural integrity of their products.
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Frugal One, stop kidding yourself this is better quality and better price than Japan can offer!
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May 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
The comparison is coming, this car is top quality and it will really set a challenge for anything in this class at the moment.
We won’t pre-judge the outcome but the challenge will be interesting!
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Styling is very good. Great price too.
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Although i’d prefer this anyday, I actually think that the Subaru Forester is its biggest competition in Aus. They both have good build quality, both are reliable, both are about the same price, both are about the same size. This one looks a whole lot better and can be had with a Diesel engine though so why would you buy the Forester. Apart from anything - in australia at least - Volkswagens have some prestige that Subaru cant quite get. Buy one - you’ll be happy.
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
SteveV you are the only smart one here.
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June 1st, 2008 at 9:01 pm
It’s really attractively priced and I’d certainly consider it over any of the Japs. The RAV4 would have been an instant choice if not for that 4-speed auto. Same thing with the new Forester. The CR-V’s rear quarter panel looks like a chicken, and its C-pillars block more visibility than necessary. The X-Trail is promising but having nearly the same design as the old one is a letdown. It would be interesting to see a small Mazda (CX-5) come into the party, but the Tiguan, granted that maintenance won’t cost an arm and a leg, is definitely the most promising in the meantime.
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June 1st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
who would buy the diesle x-trail over this when thery are around the same price plus the the tiguan looks good,Im dont really like the air vents inside but until [if[ kuga comes this will be the pick of the bunch i feel sorry for the updated scape right now.It must feel like a saab 9-5 being next to a new passat or whatever it compares to
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June 3rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I like it so much … I bought one!
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June 3rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I like it so much … i bought one.
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June 3rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Well done, P. Any details on engine, trans, colour, options?
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June 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I did a test drive. It was sharp but worse than I expected. Given the low price, I reckon it will do way better than Touareg, which would be a good option should it offer 6 seats for its own size.
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June 7th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I had a look last week, it is more space than Golf inside. but the outside looks bit smaller than I thought, especially parking alongside my Beetle. the nose seems bit bigger for its body:p it is a perfect car for the price, quality and badge.
if I have the money, i still prefer Touareg,,looks better and bigger than Tiguan,
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June 7th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I recon 125kw is better choice than 147kw base on what paid and got. they are same engine just tuned to be different, BOTH 280nm, same fuel consumption. the only different for the engine is 125kw has 280nm from 1800-4000, while the 147 has 280nm from 1800 to 5000, and of cause some convienance devices for 147kw, the pana-sunroof looks great..
if i buy Tiguan, it would be the 125KW field and trach version with PANA SUNROOF :O
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June 7th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
It is just wonderful!
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June 7th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Drove the car a few days ago. Very impressive about the handling and riding but don’t like the diesel engine at all. It is far too noisy and not as smooth as Ford’s Mondeo diesel. Talked to the sales manager about 147kw Tiguan. He said the 1st shipment will be in April next year. He must be kidding. I won’t be able to wait for so long. Anyone here knows the real shipping day of the petrol engine Tiguans?
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June 8th, 2008 at 11:51 am
To SA boy
it was said to reach the show room in 3 quarter of 2008,,but it is true that you have to wait 18 months to get the car if you order now. if you ordered in Feb 08, you might have the chance got the car this year, or you can pay some more for the upgraded demos. I just start my motor bike to move my tension. waiting the Ford Kuga and volvo XC60 I m not rich, so no special no buy.
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June 8th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
can’t help thinking the rear looks like a santa fe.
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June 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Top of the range 147 with absolutely everyhing on the options list costs more than $60,000 on the road. Ouch!
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June 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Nice looking very VW quite like it find the Jap stuff a little boring
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June 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Tipical German will sell well
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June 14th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
purchased tiguan 2 days ago. awesome fuel economy, great to drive, heaps of room and very happy
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June 17th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Try placing a golf club in the boot space? Not only does a single club not fit but completely forget about a golf bag or the kids school bags.
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July 25th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Soon about to take it for a test drive, will let you know of my impressions of the car.
But just reading about it and looking at the pictures it looks to be a formidable car from Volkswagen to try to gain more market share in Australia.
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July 25th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Just to clear up any German versus Japan quality arguments here, in general:
Germans highly value excellent design: (complex hi-tech engineering/styling/ergonomics/efficiency/material quality/construction quality), Japanese highly value excellent reliability and longevity, if a car exits a manufacture’s assembly building and turns out to be a lemon, then much the staff (Japanese or non Japanese) will be very ashamed, more so than the Germans would be i think. Also Japanese manufactures must do a lot more secret post production testing (not even spied or documented on much in the motoring journals mind you) than German manufactures.
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