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August 5, 2021
Test drive of the new Volkswagen Tiguan: An all-around model with a well-balanced blend of driving performance and interior space.
Volkswagen Tiguan | VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
Test Drive of the New Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen is expanding its SUV lineup, and this time we get behind the wheel of the Tiguan, which received a minor update in May 2021, to explore its evolution.
Text by OGAWA Fumio
Photographs by MOCHIZUKI Hirohiko
Satisfying Performance for Spirited Driving on Winding Roads
Volkswagen's SUV, the Tiguan, has received a minor update including a new engine and has arrived in Japan on May 12, 2021. The front fascia, with its new headlights and large air dam integrated bumper, now has a much more aggressive feel, and it's poised to become a hit. In reality, the car is very well executed.
Volkswagen Japan, having just introduced the main model, the new Golf, has steadily expanded its SUV lineup. The most compact is the T-CROSS (4,115mm in length), followed by the T-ROC (4,240mm), and then the top model, the Tiguan, measuring 4,515mm in length and 1,675mm in height.
A key feature of the Tiguan is its high level of comfort. While the exterior dimensions are kept to a manageable size as mentioned above, the interior is spacious. By deliberately opting for a two-row seat configuration instead of three, the rear seat space is generous, and the cargo capacity is also large. There's no feeling of cramped headroom, and ample legroom due to the generous space between the front and rear seats. If you frequently carry passengers in the rear, this is a model worth considering.
The new model is 15mm longer than the previous one. The width and height remain unchanged. In place of the previous 1.4-liter engine, it is now equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit. Simultaneously, a 7-speed DSG replaces the previous 6-speed DSG (a twin-clutch transmission with two pedals). The drive system is front-wheel drive.
The 1497cc unit, producing a maximum output of 110kW (150ps) and a maximum torque of 250Nm, offers ample power for a vehicle weighing around 1.5 tons. Especially when driven to maintain an engine speed slightly above 2,500rpm (manual operation using the paddle shifters is also easy), it feels surprisingly powerful.
Cruising on the highway, the soft, comfort-oriented suspension system ensures that shocks are barely transmitted to the occupants, making for a relaxed ride. Although the steering wheel is set to be light, the car's response to steering inputs is surprisingly quick, offering a satisfying drive even for those who might push it on winding European-style roads.