2012 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift announced

By Brett Davis | October 11th, 2011

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Volkswagen Australia has announced the new facelifted 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. It gets revised styling, a new entry-level 1.4 TSI engine available in two-wheel drive, slightly more power for the base model 2.0-litre as well as a top-spec 2.0 TSI with 155kW.

Like the latest range of Volkswagen vehicles, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan showcases the company’s consistent and conservative design language. At the front, there’s the new horizontal grille which extends right to the inner edges of the headlights, while at the rear there’s new taillights with slightly more squared-off bottom edges, in tune with the horizontal design theme.

The biggest change for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is the introduction of the 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (turbo and supercharged) four-cylinder engine with BlueMotion Technology. Like other models in the Volkswagen range, the 1.4 TSI produces 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque. It comes with an average fuel consumption rating of 6.9L/100km and is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

The 1.4 TSI is available with a six-speed manual transmission only. Interestingly, the 1.4 TSI is available in two-wheel drive form paired with BlueMotion Technology, as opposed to the rest of the range, including the current models, which feature Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

The BlueMotion Technology showcases features such as Start/Stop, Brake Energy Recuperation and a Coasting Function (available on the DSG version of TDI only), all aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Next up in the lineup is the new 2.0 TSI variant, which comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection, now producing 132kW of power and 280Nm of torque – up from the current 125kW and 280Nm.

It’s available in either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic, and comes with an average fuel consumption rating of 8.7L/100km (manual) and 8.8L/100km (DSG). Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 8.3 seconds (manual) and 7.9 seconds (DSG).

Apart from the exterior revisions, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI diesel remains relatively unchanged, mechanically. It will come with the option of two-wheel drive matched with BlueMotion Technology though like the 1.4 TSI, and features reduced fuel consumption ratings compared with the current model despite maintaining the same power and torque figures (103kW and 320Nm).

Equipped with the six-speed manual it comes with an average consumption rating of 6.0L/100km, while the seven-speed DSG is rated at 6.2L/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 10.2 seconds.

Finally, taking place as the flagship variant is the new 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 155TSI. It features the same 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol four-cylinder engine as seen in the Volkswagen Golf GTI, producing 155kW of power and 280Nm of torque.

The top-spec variant only comes in DSG transmission form, and offers an average fuel consumption rating of 8.8L/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 7.3 seconds.

The new Tiguan also comes with an array of standard safety features including ABS brakes, Auto Hold function, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) and Engine Braking Control (EBC).

Read: 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan review.

Prices for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan range are as follows (Manufacture List Prices, excludes on-road costs):

Tiguan 118TSI six-speed manual – $28,490
Tiguan 132TSI six-speed manual – $33,490
Tiguan 132TSI seven-speed DSG – $35,990
Tiguan 103TDI six-speed manual – $35,990
Tiguan 103TDI seven-speed DSG – $38,490
Tiguan 155TSI seven-speed DSG – $42,990

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Jumbo

it’s good to see the GTI motor taking refuge in the Tiguan.
That boot is too small still nd I have heard a rumour that they have increased rear leg room for the update. Does that mean boot room suffers even more?
- sm
  
  I seem to recall reading that the boot size has indeed suffered as a result of the increased rear leg room.
- KD
  
  There was an article on drivel.com.au that made it sound like the boot was getting smaller, which its not. Drivel had driven the new model in europe which has no spare, therefore a bigger boot. There is no change in the boot size of the new model.
Tim

So bland and boring.
Mikko

The ugly Yeti is starting to look better when compared to this.
kazuo

boot space still dissapointing
Golfschwein

Very nice in blue. Like the straightcut new look. On the bootspace thing, remember they’re not a big car. They’re certainly not a long one. Something longer like an X Trail or Golf wagon can provide a bigger boot.
- Charger
  
  Anything looks good in blue, even a Camry!
Jim Sim

Seriously, I’m having so much trouble trying to tell the difference between all models/ They all look exactly the same.
Boring, bland and dull. And people bag toyotas for looking like whitegoods. HA!
- gmh-bogan
  
  Well said Jim Sim,Vw are a sleeping tablet on 4 wheels.
  - Jim Sim
    
    True. Here’s the new generation of crappy whitegoods.
    Not even reliable.
    - Golfschwein
      
      And yet, here you both are…drawn like moths to a flame. If something doesn’t interest me, I don’t click on it. Funny, that.
      - Captain Nemo
        
        Being a bit of a hypocrite hey Golfs-whine
        
        Your little noodle headed mate Bungle is drawn like a “moth to a Flame” when it comes to any Commodore/Falcon/Aurion story but i don’t see you saying to him “If something doesn’t interest me, I don’t click on it” Funny that.
      - Bangel
        
        AH yes golfie the corporal and the dim sim , all hoping that their fat old fashioned crummer can lift its sales off the bottom rung , sorry guys but the corolla , mazda 3 and the golf have finally sunk it .
        
        Better hang onto to your VK and VS ,because its all over , well there is the crude , the camira reborn , and the malabore to come , all loverly FWD, POS , you might have to take lessons .
      - Jim Sim
        
        Ah Bangel. Im still offering that cuddle. Don’t forget to advise your tow truck company to follow you when your 8486758760975kw GTi explodes. Which it will.
        Funny that I dont even own a “crummer”, but i’d take a god damn VN over a brand new Golf Gti. Whitegoods on wheels. Ha!
- Freddo
  
  At least you will have the whole 155kw to keep you awake…pffft!
lu

Look at the tech bagged in that car, and then the price tag. Who the hell cares about its looks? The 118tsi golf used to be 30k. Now tiguan for 28 with bluemotion?
lu

If u think about it, it’s cheaper than a civic si…
theillestlife

my mums got her order down for a top-spec 155tsi with all the options (leather, heated, sunroof etc). cost 55k. pretty dear compared to my gti edition 35 which cost me 53k with all the same options and more power.
- f1worldchamp
  
  Remember the Tiguan will have 4motion that the GTI doesn’t.
  - lu
    
    Tiguan also used more metal to built after all….
  - theillestlife
    
    yes but gti 35 edition has 173kw
    - lu
      
      kws are just numbers.
      
      20 something kws are not enough to make a major difference.
      
      yes, the tiguan will be a lot slower. but an after market flash will make it even more powerful than the GTI. longevity wise, well, how much harm is 20kw going to do? 3 month?
      
      put the 155 engine in GTI, i don’t think you would notice.
vx

Two wheel drive manual, over 30k driveaway. Well, at least a tigyan you can get low 30k.
Mr Gaspo

As Otto once remarked in a fish called Wanda… Disappointing!
Charger

Boring and bland.
Ethan

I thought VW was getting rid of their TSI range of engines…
- lu
  
  they won’t do that anytime soon i think.
  
  twin charger maybe, but not the others.
  
  before they get rid of them, they have to find a way out. I mean, what else they can put on the table to be competitive enough for now? nothing.
  
  they are going to stick with it, at least for another 4-7 years i think.
Commentator

There’re pretty reasonable prices for a small VW SUV.
HJP

Disappointed with their recent styling.
Scotty C

The interior is quite ugly. Why do car makers insist on putting a truck like interior in these type of vehicles when 95% never leave suburbia? Give them a passenger car trim. The only one that got it right interior wise is the Mazda CX7
- KD
  
  You’ve obviously never sat in a Tiguan
  - http://Skat ScottyC
    
    I have KD. I got one as a loner when my GTI was being serviced. It drove really well but,and I’ll say it again.. the interior is ugly. What I’m saying is, why don’t the manufacturers just give this type of car a normal car interior instead of trying to butch them up? Have a look at the Evoke and CX7 and it might click for you.
- Force-15
  
  A truck-like interior? Funny you should say that because that interior first appeared in the Golf Plus, an MPV variant of the Golf.
mch62

Still only 103kw and 320nm for the diesel-outdated !!!!!
Thats 5 year old figures. Why not 125kw and 350nm at least that would be a little closer to the Koreans!!So much for German superiority.
Rick

Wow look at that another overpriced and under powered vw at least it has a real manual in it
STP

Meh! So bland!
bob

Just when you thought the Tiguan couldn’t get any uglier, they come out with this.
Wd

I’ll take Yeti thanks!
shockjock

beauty is in the eye of the bogan
Lang Chye

VW says the 7-spd DSG can’t handle more than 250Nm in the Golf. Can anyone explain why the torque limitation doesn’t apply in the Tiguan?
- AndyGF
  
  Where did they say that?
  
  As much as I hate to use the Veyron as an example (because to me it is not a real car), the Veyron has a 7 Speed DSG that can handle 1200Nm.
  
  Its the one advantage about having SUCH a massive parts bin, VW can interchange their designs/technology as much as they want to achieve the desired outcomes? Something very few manufacturers can call on…
  - Sumpguard
    
    Not a real car? Oh do tell!!
    - AndyGF
      
      To me, nobody would ever use a veyron to go anywhere. Driving it would be the departure and the destination in itself…
      
      I have some experience with a vehicle like that… (not a hypercar of course) I spent 5 years of my life working on it, building it up, and in the end even though I achieved everything I set out to achieve, it was so valuable to me that I was too scared to actually GO anywhere with it.
      
      Became what it is today; not a REAL car…
  - Lang Chye
    
    VW says the Golf GTi and 2.0 TDI can’t have the 7-spd DSG of the 118 TSi because the limit on torque is 250Nm. My query is why this limitation doesn’t apply to the Tiguan.
    - Car Fanatic
      
      And you believe them?
      
      Audi has 7 Speed DSG in many models including the Q5 2.0 TDI with 350NM and the 3.0 TDi with 500Nm.
  - lu
    
    you don’t think it’s the same DSG do you?
    
    i mean…be realistic.. that’s 1200Nm. they have to enhance the body to certain strength so it doesn’t bend…
    
    how about some gears in a very small box which constantly overheat even when placed in a Golf?
wesa182

Obviously this is different Transmission! Tiguan DSG is the same one out of the Audi Q5, rated to 550nm. From memory it is wet clutch and made for AWD applications, much bigger in physical size.
ozedude

Agree with those of you saying this is BOOOOOOOOORRRIIING!

Styling a massive backward step. To think i was going to buy one of these. No real improvement, options (off road config).

I laugh when also considering the pathetic dealer rep for VW Aust.

EPIC FAIL IMO!
Nelly Potato

Interesting that they are now offering the 7-speed DSG with the 103TDI and 155TSI engine…..is this a print error?? Because other articles have said that the 7-speed DSG only handles up to 250Nm of torque, which is why VW have used the older 6-speed in the GTI, GTD, 103TDI, Passat V6 etc.
DougC

Had my face lifted Tiguan for 3 weeks, everything I would expect from Volkswagen. Live with the Tiguan and you will never envy any other 4X4 driver. If you don’t get it, give up now.

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2012 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift announced

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