Volkswagen joined the compact crossover group back in 2009, with the Tiguan. Built upon a platform adapted from smaller Volkswagens, notably the Golf, the compact Tiguan is geared toward European-style ride and handling characteristics. Powered by a 200-horsepower, 2-liter engine, Tiguan has been selling rather well for Volkswagen. Four versions are available, including a sporty-looking R-Line edition.
In addition to a significant price drop, the 2016 Tiguan gets several upgrades that include V-Tex leatherette seating, keyless entry, pushbutton start, and rain-sensing wipers. The latest MIB II infotainment system now is controlled via a 5-inch touchscreen. Heated front seats also are new. Volkswagen has repositioned the sporty-styled R-Line edition, with a lower price. All trims except the base S get VW Car-Net App-Connect.
In every Tiguan, a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The standard six-speed automatic transmission incorporates a Tiptronic manual-shifting mode. Front-wheel drive is standard, but you can select 4MOTION all-wheel drive instead. With front-drive, the Tiguan S gets a fuel-economy estimate of 21 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive drops the city figure to 20 mpg, but both drive systems get a 23 mpg estimate for combined driving.
Four trim levels let you pick an appropriate number of amenities. Volkswagen's 4MOTION all-wheel drive costs $1,975 additional for each model.
Priced at $25,755 (including destination charge) for 2016, Volkswagen’s “entry-level” Tiguan comes with cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, and power heated outside mirrors. Also included are an electronic parking brake, roof rails, 40/20/40 folding rear seats, and trailer hitch prep. Aluminum wheels hold 16-inch tires. New features include heated front seats, keyless entry, pushbutton start, and rain-sensing wipers. New V-Tex leatherette upholstery (replacing cloth) promises the look and feel of leather.
Volkswagen has repositioned the sport-focused R-Line, now priced ($29,565) to slot between S and SE trim levels, and it constitutes an appealing value proposition. A sport suspension promises precise handling. R-Line includes V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, a power driver’s seat, power reclining passenger seat, stainless steel pedals, flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, aluminum sill kickplates, and Titanium black headliner. Also standard are foglights and cornering lamps, body-color side skirts, black wheel-arch extensions, silver-color roof rails, a stylized back bumper, roof spoiler, and 19-inch wheels. The MIB II touchscreen infotainment system includes USB, VW Car-Net App-Connect and a 6.3-inch display, satellite radio, and VW Car-Net connected car services.
Building upon the 2.0T S, the $32,355 SE has a panoramic sunroof, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, power driver’s seat, power-reclining passenger seat, touchscreen navigation with 6.5-inch display, foglamps, cornering lamps, bi-xenon headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. AWD adds $1,975.
Now topping the Tiguan lineup, SEL trim includes dual-zone automatic climate control, Fender Premium Audio, 19-inch alloy wheels, wheel-arch extensions and a sport suspension. The SEL also has leather seating surfaces, a memory driver’s seat, power passenger seat, power-folding mirrors, and rearview camera with Rear Assist.
With a reduced price for 2016, the R-Line sounds like an even greater value than before when you consider its batch of sport-themed features. Then again, the SEL has added features for 2016; and so has the base S model. Tiguan buyers have some clear-cut choices to make. In well-equipped form, a Tiguan might even serve as an alternative to small, sporty SUVs from the likes of BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
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