Author Topic: Mini VW Touareg = VW Tiguan! (Read 52701 times)

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #180 on:** June 10, 2008, 07:55:09 am »

Quote from: slik on June 09, 2008, 09:22:07 pm

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on June 08, 2008, 04:43:39 pm
Did appreciate the electronic parking brake.

Hey thanks for the update . One question: where exactly is the placement of the electronic brake lever? Euro liturature shows it in the middle console near the auto shift lever, and the U.S. sight shows it on the front dash on the left side where only the driver can reach.

It's in the middle. On Passat it's in the other location.

slik · « **Reply #181 on:** June 11, 2008, 06:54:57 pm »

This from Edmunds:

Volkswagen is recalling 4,000 2008 Passats and 2009 Tiguans for an "engine surging" issue. The problem is an engine control module that may not control engine idle when the air conditioning is turned on. In rare cases, the ECM can trigger an unexpected jump in engine RPM, which could obviously lead to an accident. NHTSA has informed VW that since the recall is a safety concern, dealers cannot sell the vehicles until the problem has been fixed. Owners of potentially affected vehicles are being told not to operate the air conditioning until a VW dealer has serviced the ECM, which is less than terrific news considering it's June and temperatures are around 90 degrees in many parts of the country. While it's disheartening that the brand new Tiguan is already getting its first recall, at least the problem was discovered early and there's a fix readily available.

Any insiders verify if this is being addressed by VW Canada and if so how much delay is this going to cause with deliveries of the Tiguan?

mmret · « **Reply #182 on:** June 15, 2008, 01:06:13 am »

I took one of the Parental Units (Mother) to see a Tig today. Very nice car inside and out. Quality details evident all over the place. The sunroof thing is awesome.

They only had the top spec model to show though, and I'd like to see the mid-trim (Comfortline? I hate their new trim designations) and get an idea for what the cloth seats are like.

IMHO the Highline is a tad pricey at ~$39k + freight/PDI/tax, when you can get the Comfortline for $5k less AFAIK.

bman · « **Reply #183 on:** June 16, 2008, 09:00:36 pm »

Took one of these babies for a test drive with my wife. It was the Comfortline model at St. Catherines VW. Big surprise was that the salesman actually knew about the whole car. Usually I find that we know more than they do, but you let them babble on so you can get on with the test drive.
Ok, on with the review. The colour was silver metallic with black interior. Step-up into the vehicle was good.No bumping the head on the opening, just fell right into the seats. Headroom was good even with the sunroof. Had to move seat quite a bit forward.. wow I'm almost 6ft. Went around to the back seats to see if I could sit behind someone my height... wow again seat was slid all the way back, move it up again 3 or 4 rungs until my knees were 2 inches from the front seat. Now for the drive. I had asked the salesman if I could go on a route with lots of bumps ,freeway, up a road with a steep incline and down some twisty roads. Vehicle was good on all tests. Handling was good, the only other competition was the Nissan Rouge which I thought had sharper handling. Seats offered good lateral and lumber support. Six speed automatic worked imperceptibly, steering was a little light, but got better as the tires heated up. Sunblind on the sunroof is ingenious. Fit and finish is good except maybe on A pillar, plastic seemed a bit hard. Trunk space is adequate ,space is hampered by spare. There is storage beside the donut for small items. If the rear seats folded flat could possibly yield another 5 or so cu.ft. Found out that base climatic climate control is semi-automatic. Set temp and it will hold it but, fan speed is controlled by you.
That it, now its someone elses turn for a review.

gottarondo · « **Reply #184 on:** June 19, 2008, 06:28:47 pm »

Saw cousin's new Tiguan on weekend - cloth seats are NICE. Lovely interior. Nice looking vehicle. High floor for my taste but otherwise

. But not much space in back for cargo.

mrthompson · « **Reply #185 on:** June 20, 2008, 03:44:15 pm »

Spotted a white one the other day...me likes.

airbalancer · « **Reply #186 on:** June 20, 2008, 07:33:22 pm »

I think it is a short in cargo room behind the rear seat

vdk · « **Reply #187 on:** June 21, 2008, 04:21:44 pm »

I saw one too the other day.... it's really cute and I bet the interior is really nice... 4motion + 2.0T that's a nice combo

mmret · « **Reply #188 on:** June 21, 2008, 07:11:13 pm »

Is it a Borg Warner AWD system? Locking center diff, etc.?

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #189 on:** July 10, 2008, 01:12:04 pm »

Tiguan SEL vs Forester XT vs CX-7 Grand Touring...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0809_turbocharged_crossover_comparison/index.html

1 Forester takes the cake, and for good reason. 2 They love the CX-7's sportiness. 3 Tiguan pricing in the US is super stiff, moreso than here, but they like it anyway.

Also, Consumer Reports first drive with comparo in August...
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/first-drives/volkswagen-tiguan-first-drive/overview/volkswagen-tiguan-first-drive.htm

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #190 on:** August 06, 2008, 08:48:20 am »

http://www.canadiandriver.com/thenews/2008/08/05/consumer-reports-praises-tiguan-and-murano.htm
August 5, 2008

Consumer Reports praises Tiguan and Murano

Yonkers, New York - The new Volkswagen Tiguan and redesigned Nissan Murano achieved “Very Good” overall scores and out-pointed some of their competitors in Consumer Reports’ tests of compact and midsized two-row SUVs for its September issue.

The Tiguan and Murano were among a group of six vehicles tested, along with the Infiniti EX, Land Rover LR2, Volkswagen Touareg 2 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Tiguan out-pointed the EX and LR2 and now ranks in third place among “compact sporty SUVs” tested by Consumer Reports, behind the top-rated Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

The EX achieved a “Very Good” overall score and ranks midpack in the group, while the LR2 rated “Good” and ranks last among the nine vehicles Consumer Reports has tested in the class.

Among the three midsize two-row SUVs tested, the Murano ranked best with a “Very Good” score, and now ranks third behind the Lexus RX400h and Lexus RX350. The Touareg also scored “Very Good” overall and is ranked just behind the Murano. The Grand Cherokee achieved a “Good” score and is ranked last among the eight two-row SUVs that have been tested.

Full tests and ratings of the SUV group appear in the September issue, now on sale.

The Infiniti EX is the only vehicle among the six in this test group that is ranked “Recommended” by Consumer Reports, which only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on the magazine’s annual survey, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test. The Tiguan, LR2 and Murano do not yet have reliability data, and the Grand Cherokee and Touareg cannot be recommended because of poor reliability.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #191 on:** August 20, 2008, 09:36:18 am »

Earned Top Safety Pick from IIHS...
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/volkswagen_news/article_2401.shtml

With video...
http://www.iihs.org/video.aspx?f=releases/pr082008

carcrazy · « **Reply #192 on:** August 20, 2008, 12:18:50 pm »

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on August 20, 2008, 09:36:18 am

Earned Top Safety Pick from IIHS...
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/volkswagen_news/article_2401.shtml

With video...
http://www.iihs.org/video.aspx?f=releases/pr082008

While still important, the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" had become a bit trivial since most of the new models, except for the RAV4, are Top Safety Picks: Forester, Rogue, Outlander, CRV, Escape/Tribute.

tpl · « **Reply #193 on:** September 07, 2008, 04:06:12 pm »

Saw my first one yesterday on the 401 doing exactly 100 km/h... the break in thing I guess. A sensible size I thought and it was a rather nice blue colour.

carcrazy · « **Reply #194 on:** September 18, 2008, 03:10:17 pm »

According to Autoblog, quoting VW officials, no diesel Tiguan for North America at all.

Das Auto · « **Reply #195 on:** November 07, 2008, 08:08:23 pm »

Quote from: tpl on September 07, 2008, 04:06:12 pm

Saw my first one yesterday on the 401 doing exactly 100 km/h... the break in thing I guess. A sensible size I thought and it was a rather nice blue colour.

It looks really nice in blue, with beige leather inside

I sold exactly the same one about 2 weeks ago - I had a chance to drive it from another dealership - maaaan, that's a baby

Das Auto · « **Reply #196 on:** November 07, 2008, 08:11:05 pm »

By the way, I know everybody calls Tiguan - a shrinked Touareg, but it looks to me more like a swallen rabbit.

Really nice car though

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #197 on:** March 24, 2009, 09:15:17 am »

Sat in one again yesterday and how I LOVE this vehicle!!!

Four small SUVs get highest scores in new rating of roof strength

Automotive News
March 24, 2009 - 12:45 am ET

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Small SUVs from Jeep, Honda, Volkswagen and Subaru received top ratings for their ability to withstand roof damage in rollover accidents that often prove deadly, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety said today.

It was the first time that the safety watchdog group, which is funded by the insurance industry, has released vehicle ratings based on a new roof-strength rating system. Four small SUVs among the 12 tested received the top rating of "good" -- the Jeep Patriot, Honda Element, VW Tiguan and Subaru Forester.

Two small SUVs received "poor" ratings: the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The Sportage had the weakest roof tested among the dozen, the institute said. The Tiguan was the strongest.

More than 10,000 people a year are killed in rollover accidents in the United States, according to the institute.

The problem has been worse in high-riding SUVs. About a quarter of occupant deaths in accidents with cars and minivans involve rollovers, but that percentage rises to 59 percent for SUVs, the institute said.

By other estimates, rollovers represent just 3 percent of vehicle crashes, but about a third of vehicle deaths.

NHTSA's 2005 proposal

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed in 2005 that current safety standards be raised to require that the roofs on all passenger vehicles be able to withstand a force of 2.5 times the vehicle weight without buckling enough to strike average-sized, buckled-in occupants.

But implementation of that standard stalled under the Bush administration.

Major automakers support the proposed NHTSA standards provided it is phased in but have opposed more stringent proposals backed by the insurance industry.

The current safety standard, written in 1973, sets a strength-to-weight ratio of 1.5 times and exempts heavier SUVs and pickup trucks.

To win a "good" rating, the insurance institute requires a vehicle to have a roof that can withstand a force of four times its weight before the roof crushes in by five inches.

The institute rated the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox , Pontiac Torrent, Toyota RAV4 , Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander as "acceptable" for roof strength.

It gave "marginal ratings" to the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute.

Shnak · « **Reply #198 on:** March 24, 2009, 10:13:26 am »

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on March 24, 2009, 09:15:17 am

Two small SUVs received "poor" ratings: the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The Sportage had the weakest roof tested among the dozen, the institute said. The Tiguan was the strongest.

Oh well, we'll try to keep ours' four wheels on the road...

It's surprising that the CR-V got a marginal rating, while the Element got a good rating, considering the CR-V is a much newer design.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #199 on:** March 24, 2009, 01:21:33 pm »

Not that I ever expect to ever be involved in a roll-over, but the difference in the roof strength is striking in photos...
http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4403.pdf
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr032409.html
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/24/iihs-debuts-new-roof-strength-crash-test-small-suvs-rated-first/

I'm sure the Sportage offers more protection and crush-space than many of the subcompact, compact, and even mid-sizers.