Why VW's new Tiguan remains on the road to success

Over seven million VW Tiguan have been sold to date. And there is much to suggest that the success story will continue with the next generation. As with the Tiguan I and II, the high seating position in number III ensures a clear view and comfortable entry and exit. The space on the rear bench has increased, as has the trunk to an impressive 652 liters. Over three centimetres more exterior length (4.54 meters) make the new Tiguan even more suitable for families and travel.

The dashboard is dominated by two screens. The digital cockpit is 10.25 inches in size, the screen in the middle 12.9 or 15 inches depending on the equipment. The driver is also provided with the most important information via a head-up display. This is mirrored on the windshield as if it were being projected onto the road.

The speed warning system, which will soon be mandatory, is pleasantly restrained in the Tiguan, does not give a bitchy warning at the slightest, often only supposed, infraction and can be switched off at the touch of a finger on the display. In any case, the infotainment of the latest generation (MIB 4) is easy to operate. Much is intuitive. A "driving experience switch" on the center console also functions as a volume control. A control element that many would not want to do without.

There are six drive variants. VW is particularly proud of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It is intended to fill the gap between the all-electric drive, which is not offered in the Tiguan, and the combustion engine. The e-hybrid drives deliver 150 or 200 kW (204 or 272 hp). Accordingly, the Tiguan pulls energetically on the front wheels, which have a hard time transferring so much power and torque (400 Nm) to the road.

Even if the electric range of 100 kilometers will be difficult to achieve in everyday winter traffic, most customers will probably rarely hear the petrol engine of their e-Hybrid. For classic long-distance drivers, horse owners or caravan holidaymakers, VW still has the diesel in its range: the small 150 hp diesel engine (110 kW) has a range of up to 1000 kilometers without refueling. The large diesel with 193 hp (142 kW) can tow a trailer load of 2300 kilograms.

The Tiguan is available in the smallest engine version, the 130 PS petrol engine with 48-volt hybrid (e-TSI), from 36,600 euros. This is around 5,000 euros more than the previous model, which was still a manual transmission. (aum)