The Tiguan was once an original SUV, with a robust appearance and seductive for its versatile character. It was truly a different and attractive car – very practical – with which Volkswagen encouraged many drivers to switch to the SUV universe.
In its second generation, Volkswagen opted for an increase in size and to sophisticate the concept with a more modern, more exclusive and also more predictable design. It lost some charm, but the German brand made up for it with technology, equipment and a little more refinement.
The third generation that Volkswagen has just presented, and which will not reach our market until the spring of 2024, is a certainly logical evolution of the second generation.
It measures 4.54 meters in length, 1.84 meters wide and 1.67 meters high. That is, only 3 centimeters longer. The trunk increases by 37 liters, with a capacity of 652 liters.
It is a direct rival to cars such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, Renault Austral, Seat Ateca, Skoda Kodiaq or Toyota RAV4. Therefore, a successful segment with a lot of competition.
The Tiguan is one of the German manufacturer’s current best-selling models. Not in vain, more than 7.6 million users have chosen it since its appearance in 2007.
Its design stands out for its powerful-looking front, with very flat LED headlights and a horizontal strip covered in glass. The radiator grille openings are now located on the outer sides of the bumper, where the air inlets guarantee good circulation.
Volkswagen explains that aerodynamics has improved greatly, and that the coefficient goes from 0.33 to 0.28, a good figure for a car with a raised body. Likewise, the silhouette is characterized by athletic shoulders over the wheel arches (with wheels up to 20 inches).
And a new horizontal LED strip accentuates the Tiguan’s characteristic rear.
Volkswagen announces diesel (TDI), gasoline (TSI), mild hybrid (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) versions. All versions have automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive.
The base engine for mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids is the 1.5 gasoline engine. The Tiguan eHybrid, with two versions, will have 204 HP or 272 HP. It includes a 19.7 kWh battery that can be recharged, as a novelty, in direct current at a maximum of 50 kW.
And, the most notable thing is that the Tiguan eHybrid (plug-in hybrid) will have an electric range of up to 100 km, almost double that of the current Tiguan PHEV. In any case, it is surprising that Volkswagen continues to bet on diesel in a European panorama with an unstoppable trend towards electrification.
On the dashboard, it has a large 15-inch central screen, which concentrates most of the infotainment functions. This screen, and the operating system called MIB4, are the same ones that the new ID.7 and Cupra Tavascan models will also use.
The gear lever is next to the steering wheel, as in the ID models or the new Passat. And between the seats is the Driving Experience Control control, which is used to manage the driving modes, the volume of the sound system or the ambient light. As a curiosity, it is striking that the steering wheel dispenses with touch buttons and replaces them with traditional buttons.
On the other hand, the ergoActive Plus front seats (ideal for long distances) may have ventilation, as well as heating, and a massage function using 10 chambers that inflate and deflate in the backrest. There is a mode that can automatically activate ventilation and heating based on the outside temperature. And in the sports versions there are seats with headrests integrated into the backrests.
The optional DCC Pro variable hardness suspension optimizes comfort and dynamism. And the latest generation of Park Assist allows you to automate the entry and exit of parking spaces through an application on your smartphone. Finally, the IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights, with 19,200 micro LEDs per headlight and optional, ensure unprecedented night vision, in addition to providing safety.
