Volkswagen’s 2009 Tiguan is their first entry into the crossover SUV market, but it delivers their usual quality interior, along with a turbocharged engine and comfortable ride. It’s priced a little higher than the competition, but if you want German engineering – it’s worth it.
Under the hood, don’t look for anything new. The Tiguan has the same turbocharged 2 liter, 4 cylinder engine you’ll find in other Volkswagens. Still, this engine has 200 horsepower with 207 pound-feet of torque, which is more than adequate for a compact SUV. The transmission is a six speed automatic, although one potential downside is that Volkswagen recommends that you purchase Premium fuel for the Tiguan. For the class, fuel economy is about average, with 18 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 21.5 mpg combined.
Behind the wheel, you’ll find responsive power steering that feels like it’s an extension of the driver. Road noise is almost nonexistent on most surfaces, as the suspension uses MacPherson struts, wishbones on the front and a four link independent suspension on the rear. Despite being built on the small car platform, the Tiguan drives like you’d expect a German-engineered SUV to drive.
In addition, there are three trim levels available on the 2009 Tiguan – S, SE, and SEL. But unless your budget demands it, pass on the S level and step up to the SE or SEL trim. For about $2,000 more, you’ll get upgraded cloth upholstery, a multifunction trip computer, 17 inch wheels, and controls for the audio system, cruise control and trip computer on the steering wheel with the SE. Or, if you want the leather interior, move up to the SEL level. There, you’ll also get an improved sound system and steering responsive headlights. In addition, with either the SE or SEL, you can also choose to add a touchscreen navigation system with 20 GB for music storage, a panoramic sunroof, a back-up camera, and all wheel drive capability.
Rear passengers will be happy with the stadium style seating, which allows them to see over those folks in the front. Extra ductwork funnels heated or cooled air to folks in the back, and the rear bench seat features a 60/40 split for maximum comfort. For carrying really large loads, even the front passenger seat folds forward. With all seats up in their normal position, the Tiguan has 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space – put all the seats down and that increases to 56.1 cubic feet. While this isn’t impressive, it’s certainly adequate.
And, as you might expect, the cabin features the same superior quality materials and workmanship that are common amongst Volkswagens. While some American- and Japanese-made cars seem to be sporting cheaper quality plastics to keep costs down, Volkswagen chose quality materials that give buyers the kind of interior usually found in luxury cars alone. The seats are comfortable – even on long drives – and with your iPod interfacing with the optional touch navigation system, you’ll be perfectly content in the Volkswagen Tiguan.
