- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
162kW, 350Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2016)
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Highline new car review
The best defence is good offence, or so the old saying goes.
That seems to sum up Volkswagen Australia's tactics in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal. The German brand has bounced back with a renewed focus on pushing beyond the mainstream and into the 'aspirational' space between regular brands (such as Toyota) and the premium brands (BMW and co.).
Nowhere is this more clearly defined than in the new Tiguan 162TSI. While first impressions are of a compact SUV powered by the same turbocharged engine as the iconic Golf GTI hot hatch, but to look at it another way, this is a also calculated play to take on the bottom end of the premium brands.
Starting at nearly $50k it isn't cheap for a small SUV, but it comes loaded full of equipment to make a strong value argument against the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 as well as its mainstream rivals like the top-of-the-range Mazda CX-5.
What do you get?
The 162TSI is priced from $48,990 (plus on-roads) and is available in a single Highline specification.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, leather interior trim, heated front seats, 8-inch infotainment screen with navigation, keyless entry and ignition and a power tailgate.
The 162TSI gets some unique trim touches including a chrome strip on the lower air intake, dark tinted rear windows and LED taillights.
Standard safety gear includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, multi-collision brake (which clamps the brakes after it detects a crash to ensure you don't roll into another accident), active bonnet and front and rear parking sensors.
You can upgrade the Highline with three optional packages offered by VW. The $2000 R-Line package is the most dramatic, adding a sportier body kit, 20-inch alloys and adaptive chassis control. The $4000 Driver Assistance Package brings the 12.3-inch Active Info Display (digital dashboard), adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert and surround view camera.
The 162TSI tested by Drive was fitted with both packages, taking the price to $54,990 which is a lot of money for a small SUV regardless of what badge is on the front.
Servicing costs are covered under a five-year capped price plan for the 12 month/15,000km intervals. Over the first three years you'll spend $1697 on maintenance.
What's inside?
The fully loaded 162TSI R-Line looks and feels premium inside thanks to good quality materials and excellent fit and finish.
The Active Info Display is the same one used across the VW Group so you'll also find it in the likes of the Audi TT and Lamborghini Huracan. But it's no gimmick as it's a useful addition to the interior. The dials are easy to read and having the navigation displayed in a large format in front of the driver is a helpful feature.
As with the rest of the Tiguan range the 162TSI has a well laid-out cabin with good visibility, intuitive controls and well thought-out storage space.
Passengers are thoughtfully catered for with good room front and rear. Those in the back seats (which can slide back and forwards as well as fold down, for extra practicality) also get air conditioning vents and the clever tray tables we already liked in the 110TSI.
Under the bonnet
The headline attraction of the 162TSI is the engine. As mentioned at the beginning it's the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine used in the Golf GTI.
Power is (not surprisingly) the same 162kW and torque is a respectable 350Nm. Unlike the front-drive layout and six-speed transmission in the GTI the Tiguan gets the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.
While that all sounds good on paper, the Tiguan doesn't necessarily feel like a high-riding hot hatch. The performance is above average for a small SUV, but it lacks the sporty punch you get in the smaller Golf.
Instead, the new engine gives the Tiguan a greater degree effortlessness in the way it performs. It has no trouble getting moving in any condition - overtaking, off-the-mark or just cruising.
There's good torque available from right down low in the rev range and if you keep the accelerator pinned the power kicks in as you get into the middle of the revs.
The dual-clutch does have the usual low speed hesitation but it is gradually getting more subtle with each passing iteration. On the move it also offers the typically swift, smooth shifts.
On the road
As we discovered with the rest of the Tiguan range it has reset the benchmark for handling in the small SUV segment.
And it should come as no surprise that the range-topping model with the adaptive chassis control system, which brings various Drive Modes and adjustable suspension, raises the bar again.
Once again, if your expectation is a Tiguan GTI you'll be disappointed as it is too tall and softly sprung for that. But if you keep your expectations realistic you're rewarded with a highly enjoyable SUV to drive.
The steering and chassis is nice and responsive with neutral handling. Coupled with the ride that finds a good balance between comfort and control the 162TSI R-Line feels engaging for the driver.
The ride can be a little too sporty at times, even in the Comfort settings, with a tendency to jar over sharp edged bumps. But overall there's a lot to like about the top level Tiguan.
Verdict
Volkswagen isn't shy about claiming the 162TSI can take on its similarly priced prestige rivals. Usually those kind of comments can be dismissed as marketing bravado, but in this case it rings true.
If you can look past the badge the Tiguan 162TSI, particularly loaded up with the option packages, is just as nice to drive, just as nice to sit in and kinder on the hip pocket than some of its premium badged competition.
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI pricing and specifications
Price: From $48,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 162kW at 4500-6200rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1500-4400rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.1L/100km
The Competitors
BMW X1 sDrive20i
Price: From $52,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 141kW
Torque: 280Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel use: 5.9L/100km
Our score: 6/10
Subaru Forester XT Premium
Price: From $48,240 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 177kW at 5600rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 2400-3600rpm
Transmission: CVT automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 8.1L/100km
Our score: 6/10
Mazda CX-5 Akera
Price: From $46,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW at 5700rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 7.4L/100km
Our score: 7/10