A Crowded Field of Compact SUVs

The compact SUV segment is particularly popular in Europe, where it's a fierce battleground for established overseas brands like BMW's X3, Toyota's RAV4, Honda's CR-V, and Nissan's X-Trail.

The Tiguan, launching now, enters this segment crowded with strong contenders. Within the Volkswagen lineup, it sits below the Touareg, which was co-developed with Porsche.

Its dimensions—4460mm long, 1810mm wide, and 1690mm high—are comparable to the CR-V. It's powered by Volkswagen's familiar 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline-four engine (170ps, 28.6kgm), paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain is a 4WD system called '4MOTION'.

While there are on-road and rough-road versions, the Japanese specification will be the latter, named 'Track & Field'.

The front bumper's approach angle is 28 degrees, and the rear's departure angle is 25 degrees, enhancing off-road capability. It also features Hill Descent Assist for automatically controlling speed on steep slopes and a system that alters performance characteristics to an off-road mode via a switch.

The luggage compartment offers 470 liters, expanding to 1510 liters with the rear seats folded. It's designed for practicality in active scenarios.

The price is 3.6 million yen. While slightly more expensive than comparable Japanese rivals, it's nearly 2 million yen less than the BMW X3's 2.5-liter model. How will it be received in the Japanese market?

BRAND HISTORY
Volkswagen, established in 1936, is an automotive manufacturer known for its straightforward image, often perceived as not focusing on sports cars. However, it possesses high technical capabilities and maintains its position as a top-tier global passenger car maker.

What's distinctive about Volkswagen is that it was one of the few manufacturers to truly begin its operations in earnest after World War II. Furthermore, it seems to cherish the passion for car making of its founder, engineer Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, as a lasting heritage.

After laying its foundation with the Type 1, commonly known as the Beetle, the company leveraged Audi's technology to develop passenger cars for a broader market. The breakthrough came in 1974 with the Golf, a resounding success that masterfully balanced usability and driving performance—two essential qualities in an automobile. This car-making philosophy endures today; Volkswagen models are practical yet genuinely enjoyable to drive. The early adoption of the dual-clutch system in the previous generation Golf was also noteworthy.

Volkswagen is also a shrewd marketer. Establishing the 'hot hatch' genre with the Golf GTI is a feat that will be remembered in automotive history. The brand adeptly utilizes its portfolio: employing Audi's proprietary quattro all-wheel-drive technology, it has successfully cultivated a different market segment with an advanced image, distinct from Volkswagen. Currently, it owns Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti—arguably the world's most high-performance and expensive sports cars—and is also the largest shareholder in Porsche.

In the late 1990s, the company focused heavily on improving quality with the goal of surpassing Japanese cars. As a result, its build quality has reached global standards. More recently, significant advancements in quietness have been made, posing a considerable challenge to the long-held dominance of Japanese cars in this area.

Volkswagen's lineup in Japan primarily consists of the Polo compact hatchback, the Golf and its station wagon variant, the Golf Variant, the Touran multipurpose minivan, the Jetta sedan version of the Golf, and the Passat Variant with its larger body. Additionally, the Scirocco 2-door coupe, the Passat CC—a 4-door with coupe-like styling—and the Tiguan SUV, alongside the larger Touareg, complete the range.

The Golf, in particular, offers a rich variety of models, from those equipped with a 1.2-liter turbo engine to the GTI, and the Golf R, which combines a 256ps engine with a four-wheel-drive system. This showcases Volkswagen's breadth and depth in car manufacturing, catering to drivers seeking fuel efficiency and comfort as well as those who prioritize driving enjoyment.