2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Quick Spin

by Lyndon Bell

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September 17, 2014

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3 min. Reading Time

2015 vw tiguan

Whether Volkswagen’s Tiguan crossover SUV is a tall Golf, or a small Touareg is up for debate. What isn’t debatable however is the fact Tiguan combines the delightfully quiet and smooth ride of its larger sibling, with the athleticism of its diminutive sibling, while managing to be something completely different from both of them. What’s more, Tigaun’s subtle and understated upscale nature in combination with its tidy size makes it a strong choice for someone who wants a nicely finished, comfortably appointed ride with easy handling, the robust utility of a SUV, and the tastefully quiet dignity of a Volkswagen.

Models & Pricing

For the 2015 model year Volkswagen offers Tiguan in a choice of five trim levels; S, SE, SE with Appearance, SEL, and R-Line. Tiguan S pricing starts at $25,995. Standard features include a set of heated power adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and 40/20/40-split folding rear seats with reclining seatbacks along with Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming. More upscale features like bi-xenon headlights, navigation, a sport-tuned suspension system and a sport steering wheel are added as one moves up through the Tiguan model range.

Design

Immediately identifiable as a Volkswagen product, Tiguan’s fast windscreen, rising beltline, large windows, and thick C pillar blend to handsome effect. Opting for higher trim levels affords additional adornment, including chrome accents for the windows offset by gloss black window frames. The top iteration R-Line Tiguan features a roof spoiler, body-color side skirts, and R-Line badging; for 2015, a distinctive R-Line rear bumper is added to set the model off even more. Roof rails come standard with every trim package. To accommodate off-road adventures, Tiguan has a short front overhang and black plastic shields protecting the wheel arches.

Features & Controls

The Tiguan’s ergonomics are exactly what you’d expect from an automobile engineered to travel long distances on unlimited speed highways. Clairvoyantly intuitive, Tiguan’s control layout is gimmick free. Two main dials house the speedometer and tachometer, between which resides a comprehensive trip computer hosting readouts for fuel consumption, Bluetooth connection status, and navigational instructions. For the 2015 model year Volkswagen has specified its Premium VIII touchscreen audio system with a six-disc CD changer and SD memory-card reader a Tiguan standard. And, best of all, it uses dials for volume control and station tuning—just as God and Motorola intended.

Comfort & Cargo

All four seating positions provide comfort and good visibility. Rear seat legroom is totally dependent upon the graciousness of the front seat occupants. If they are accommodating, four adults can travel reasonably comfortably in a Tiguan. Ideally, you’re looking at two adults and a pair of average-sized young teens. Otherwise, Tiguan starts feeling a bit cramped. As we mentioned before, the rear seat folds in a 40/20/40 split, so flexibility is assured. With the second row folded, Tiguan can accommodate 56.1 cubic feet of cargo. With the rear seat in place, the VW can still manage 23.8 cubic feet.

Safety & Crash Test Ratings

Tiguan’s active driver’s aids include Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Anti-lock Braking, and Tire Pressure Monitoring. Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System automatically shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard warning lights if the airbags deploy. Tiguan SE and higher trims get VW’s Car-Net telematics, which includes automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, remote vehicle access, stolen vehicle location, and geo-fencing so owners can set boundaries when loaning the car. NHTSA awarded Tiguan four stars, while IIHS gave Tiguan its top rating in all but small overlap offset crash testing—in which it scored “marginal”.

Engines & Fuel Economy

Power comes from Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter 200-horsepower turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. Double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection, and variable intake timing help it generate 207 ft-lbs of torque at 1,700 rpm. VW’s six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shifting is the sole gearbox offering, whether front-drive or the all-wheel drive 4Matic option is chosen. For additional responsiveness, the transmission includes a sport mode. Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway, and 23 combined using front-drive. With all-wheel drive, city mileage drops to 20, but the others remain the same.

Driving Impressions

The real beauty of the Tiguan lies in the premium feel you get from the decidedly non-premium priced auto. The soft touch dash, door sills, and center console all quietly whisper quality, while the overall look and layout of the Tiguan does nothing to persuade you otherwise. Further, it goes down the road with considerable smoothness and the engine never seems to lack for power. Delivering a notable blend of performance and comfort, Volkswagen’s Tiguan is quite satisfying to drive. Solidly stable on the highway, quiet around town, and poised on winding roads, it’s the VW Golf of SUVs.

Final Thoughts

With all of that said, there is something of a downside when you start comparing the Tiguan to its competitive set. Yes, the VW feels higher quality than its rivals, but it costs more too. Exacerbating this, most of its challengers offer more interior space and cargo capacity. Further, the Tiguan is pretty much the oldest vehicle in its peer group, as the VW hasn’t really been reworked since it was launched back in 2008. However, the fact the Tiguan is still viable in the top tier of compact SUVs does speak volumes to the goodness of the package.