When it comes to soft-roaders, Ross Guinane finds that Volkswagen’s Tiguan is as honest and helpful as the best of them
There are few marques that always manage to please me. Volkswagen just happens to be one of them. Apart from the trek to the Airport Free Zone to pick up the car, my week with any given vee-dub is generally competent and comfortable.
Somehow, though, I’d never found myself behind the wheel of a Tiguan – the “am I pronouncing it right” compact crossover – a kind of baby Touareg (am I even pronouncing that one properly?). The name, I’m told, comes from smashing the German words for “tiger” and “iguana” together, and was even good enough to win a naming contest by a German car magazine.
I’m not so sure the Tee-gwan name translates as the sweetest sounding in the UAE, though. But emblazoned with the R Line badge on the grille and headrests, and a mere hundred-or-so kilometres on the mileage counter, surely the little SUV would help continue my love affair with the German car manufacturer?
The side profile offers a clear and powerful design that incorporates solid yet modestly trimmed wheel housings, a window line that rises towards the rear, distinctive door and wing surfaces, and the unmistakable C-pillars.
The latest styling of the Tiguan’s front end – having adopted the Volkswagen “design DNA” – is marked by a dominance of clear horizontal lines. The grille is upgraded with two double chrome louvres and the distinctive optional bi-xenon headlights with masked main beam give the car a very sharp look. An ‘R’ badge on the grille also lets you know you’re about to step inside a top of the line model.
The cabin is, understandably, very comfortable. Ergonomically, everything is where it should be. The air con works, there’s a keyless start button, a sturdy steering wheel and large gauges for speed and revs. It’s got to the stage where Volkswagen interiors are so impressively functional, you tend to try find shortcomings, rather than pay attention to the bonuses that come with the ‘R’ designation.
But I still failed in nitpicking attemtpts when it came to the interior of this spacious five-seater. Front and rear headroom and legroom are abundant, and even the airline-like trays in the back are a clever touch. The rear seats are adjustable to allow for sliding closer to your tray, should your kids have homework to do on a journey, or your hungry back-seat adults are in need of a plated dinner. Either way, it’s a nice touch.
