2014 VW Tiguan Road Test Video Review

Autobytel’s Road Test Editor Chris Wardlaw was at first puzzled by the name of Volkswagen’s crossover sport utility vehicle. He hypothesizes that, thanks to the difficulty of pronouncing this car’s name, consumers are turned off by the Tiguan entirely, even though Volkswagen first introduced the Tiguan back in 2007. Sales are slow, being outsold by Honda’s CRV by a factor of ten. Perhaps that’s just not because of the confusion over pronouncing the name, though. Chris Wardlaw suggests that the vehicle’s design, which was originally intended for European sensibilities, just isn’t useful enough for American consumers. It’s too short, which results in a visual imbalance in the car’s profile, as well as a cramped cargo space. Volkswagen’s 2014 Tiguan does have its upsides. It’s easy to park, and during Autobytel’s extended test, the 200-horsepower 2-liter turbocharged engine actually exceeded its EPA fuel mileage estimate of 23 miles per gallon in combined driving. The 2014 Tiguan’s powertrain is one of the car’s bright spots. Power stays vibrant through a variety of terrain, including more adventurous elevations and thinner atmospheres. And the engine also boasts a good torque curve for steady delivery. Transmission shifts sometimes lag, but switching to sport mode can alleviate some of the hesitation.