The New VW Tiguan: A Capable and Practical 4x4 Family Wagon

As we take a closer look at the new VW Tiguan, it's clear that this car has retained all the values that made it an underdog among its Chelsea tractor rivals. It's still the least glamorous and pretentious one in the lineup, but now it's lighter, faster, and more nimble than ever before. Despite weighing in at over 2 tons, the Tiguan packs a healthy 46lb foot of torque and 237 brake horsepower, making even the entry-level 3L turbo diesel capable of hitting 62mph in just 7.8 seconds. The power delivery is incredibly smooth once you're out on the open road, and the performance is so good that it often leaves us reaching for some racy paddle shifts.

One of the standout features of the new Tiguan is its regenerative braking system. When you come off the power, the system is activated, physically slowing the car without you having to hit the brake pedal. This helps to recharge the car's battery, ultimately saving fuel and reducing emissions. The system also works when you hit the brakes, although it's noticeable but not particularly intrusive on handling. While it may not have the same poise as the Porsche Cayenne or the steering precision of a BMW X5, the Tiguan's new lightweight steel suspension provides a great compromise between agility around the bends and comfort in between them.

The Tiguan is also a fantastically well-engineered piece of kit, with every mile showing off its quality and attention to detail. Standard equipment on all models includes stop-start technology, a DAB radio, and a satnav that can cope with full postcode entries – a rare feature among in-car systems. There's also an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox that works seamlessly, and an old-fashioned key that works without the need for any unnecessary extra buttons. If you want to add some creature comforts, you can bolt on a heated leather steering wheel, surround sound, and TV reception.

Despite its many strengths, there are a few areas where the Tiguan falls short. The only thing that dulls the experience is the rather plain dashboard, which could benefit from some added flair and sophistication. Additionally, the lack of seven seats – with five being the maximum capacity – means that it's not quite as practical as some of its rivals, such as the Land Rover Discovery or BMW X5. However, in diesel form, the Tiguan is incredibly capable and even more economical than the Discovery, with a fuel economy of 38mpg compared to 30mpg for the Discovery.

The Tiguan's lack of practicality and prestige badges – unlike its rivals – means that it doesn't quite warrant its near £40,000 price tag. However, when you consider what you're getting for your money – a capable and fun-to-drive 4x4 with off-road capabilities, luxury gadgets, and a range of engine options – it's hard to argue with the Tiguan's value proposition. Its straight-laced looks shouldn't be overlooked, as this is a car that's incredibly capable and rather good fun in diesel form.

In conclusion, the new VW Tiguan is a great option for anyone looking for a practical and capable 4x4 family wagon. With its many strengths, including off-road capabilities, luxury gadgets, and a range of engine options, it's a great choice for those who want a car that can handle both on- and off-road driving with ease. While it may not have the same prestige badges as some of its rivals, the Tiguan's value proposition is hard to beat – and at a lower price point than many of its competitors.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe new VW tweg a big 4x4 family wagon £38,000 going up to 55,000 a choice of V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines with a hybrid due 2011 you get off-road capabilities luxury gadgets and a cheaper starting price than the Porsche Ken the car on which it's based I've always appreciated the honesty of the tweg out of all the Chelsea tractors it was the underdog the least glamorous one the least pretentious this new version has retained all those values but now it is lighter faster and cbw more nimble it still weighs in at over 2 tons but with a healthy 46b foot of torque and 237 brake horsepower even this entrylevel 3 l turbo diesel manages to hit 62 mph in 7.8 seconds the power delivery is really smooth once you're out on the open road and the performance is so good that sometimes we're left at reaching for some racy paddle shifts they are a 150 option each time you come off the power the regenerative braking system is activated and it physically slows the car without you hitting the brake pedal it helps to recharge the car's battery which ultimately saves fuel it also works when you hit the brakes and although it is noticeable it's not particularly intrusive when it comes to handling it doesn't have quite the same Poise as the Porsche km and the steering isn't quite as precise as the speed increases the tarex new lightweight steel suspension gives a good compromise between agility around the bends and comfort in between them and it is a fantastically well-engineered piece of Kit and you can feel that over every mile standard equipment on all models includes stop start a dab radio and a satnav which is actually capable of coping with a full postcode unlike many other incar systems there's an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox that works seamlessly and an old fashioned key that works without the aid of any unnecessary extra buttons which is a nice touch if you want more Creature Comforts you can bolt on a heated leather steering wheel surround sound and TV reception the only thing that dulls the experience I think is the rather plain dashboard and the fact that you can't get seven seats five is your limit and I can't help thinking that if VW offered more it would make this car much more appealing the Land Rover Discovery and BMW X5 both come with the possibility of seven seats and hugely prestigious badges which is King when it comes to the school run the tarex straight lace looks shouldn't be overlooked because it is incredibly capable and rather good fun in diesel form it's even more economical than the Land Rover Discovery 38 m to the gallon as oppos to 30 but its lack of practicality and prestigious mark means it doesn't quite warrant its near 40 Grand price tagthe new VW tweg a big 4x4 family wagon £38,000 going up to 55,000 a choice of V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines with a hybrid due 2011 you get off-road capabilities luxury gadgets and a cheaper starting price than the Porsche Ken the car on which it's based I've always appreciated the honesty of the tweg out of all the Chelsea tractors it was the underdog the least glamorous one the least pretentious this new version has retained all those values but now it is lighter faster and cbw more nimble it still weighs in at over 2 tons but with a healthy 46b foot of torque and 237 brake horsepower even this entrylevel 3 l turbo diesel manages to hit 62 mph in 7.8 seconds the power delivery is really smooth once you're out on the open road and the performance is so good that sometimes we're left at reaching for some racy paddle shifts they are a 150 option each time you come off the power the regenerative braking system is activated and it physically slows the car without you hitting the brake pedal it helps to recharge the car's battery which ultimately saves fuel it also works when you hit the brakes and although it is noticeable it's not particularly intrusive when it comes to handling it doesn't have quite the same Poise as the Porsche km and the steering isn't quite as precise as the speed increases the tarex new lightweight steel suspension gives a good compromise between agility around the bends and comfort in between them and it is a fantastically well-engineered piece of Kit and you can feel that over every mile standard equipment on all models includes stop start a dab radio and a satnav which is actually capable of coping with a full postcode unlike many other incar systems there's an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox that works seamlessly and an old fashioned key that works without the aid of any unnecessary extra buttons which is a nice touch if you want more Creature Comforts you can bolt on a heated leather steering wheel surround sound and TV reception the only thing that dulls the experience I think is the rather plain dashboard and the fact that you can't get seven seats five is your limit and I can't help thinking that if VW offered more it would make this car much more appealing the Land Rover Discovery and BMW X5 both come with the possibility of seven seats and hugely prestigious badges which is King when it comes to the school run the tarex straight lace looks shouldn't be overlooked because it is incredibly capable and rather good fun in diesel form it's even more economical than the Land Rover Discovery 38 m to the gallon as oppos to 30 but its lack of practicality and prestigious mark means it doesn't quite warrant its near 40 Grand price tag\n"