Topic: Test Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline

[Fobroader]

Wait....wait....just because you own one only you can hold the opinion that its small on the inside?!?!?!?! Thats kinda....nevermind. So because I dont have a Smart car I cant say that the interior is small?? Or a Ford Excursion is too big to park in most city centres???

[editorgreg]

Wow, Greg, could you come up with a more crass generalization to end your article?  VWs are fine-driving vehicles no doubt, I've quite enjoyed my (limited) time with them.  But "other vehicles" do not have "design", "perception of quality" (notice you didn't say reliability...), and a positive "driving experience"?  WTF?  You can say the Tiguan is an appealing vehicle, fine.  But "other vehicles" don't have these attributes as well? 

Perhaps I could have made that last comment clearer....  I meant that Volkswagen vehicles' design, driving experience and perception of quality has a special appeal - not that other brands don't have good design, quality or driving experience. 

[SaskSpecV]

Perhaps I could have made that last comment clearer....  I meant that Volkswagen vehicles' design, driving experience and perception of quality has a special appeal - not that other brands don't have good design, quality or driving experience. 

Thanks for the clarification Greg.  I'm glad I don't have scores of people reading what I write every day, or people like me would be jumping all over me too!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Jaeger
"Very cramped inside, and next to zero cargo capacity." - you are certainly wrong. I do own a 2009 Tiguan and the interior space is a marvel. Yes, it is smaller size wise than many other. But the layout makes it quite comfortable for passengers. I am easily fitting my 3 kids on the 2 row with a car seat and a booster seat. Cargo space is more than adequate 95% of time.

Because I have a different perception than you, I'm "wrong"?  Too funny.  Almost as funny as describing the interior space of the Tiguan as a "marvel".  I was shopping for one with a buddy of mine who wanted a small CUV and definitely wanted the Tiguan.  He was pretty much in love with the thing.  But he has two kids, and (correctly) concluded that it would be completely inadequate for his people and cargo needs. I remember when we looked at the cargo space with the rear seats up, and his comment was "Yougottebekiddingme". He bought a Rav4 and is very happy.

I sat "behind myself" in the Tiguan, and all I can say is I sure wouldn't want to ride there for very long.  And I definitely wouldn't want to try to get my regular golfing threesome with clubs around in that thing - something that most compact sedans manage quite easily (one of our group has a previous gen Civic).  I'd be surprised if the Tiguan has much if any more interior space as my wife's subcompact Fit.

Jaeger

It's all relative. The cargo space is quite small and probably inadequate for those with kids who take a lot of trips or have massive strollers, but fine for my needs. As for interior space, I do think it's quite spacious up front, and rear seat room is pretty good... not massive, but I don't have an issue with it. I sat in the new 2013 Ford Escape and it has less head room in the 2nd row (not sure what the measurements are, but my head told me enough). It is essentially a raised Golf, but that's exactly why I like it - everything is functional and well though out, including space utilization. It's positively one of THE most comfortable vehicles behind the wheel for me, being 6-4 and 285lbs. Excellent leg, knee, and head room, and the seats and wheel have a very large range of adjustability, along with the centre arm rest. The other compact utility I found as comfortable is the new BMW X3, but have yet to spend a decent amount of time in one. For comparison, I CANNOT fit comfortably in a RAV4 because my knees don't have enough room because of the dash design combined with seats don't have enough rearward travel, while in a Santa Fe the bottom seat cushion is too flat. And while the Kia Sportage looks fantastic, I didn't find the interior quality, design, or comfort up to snuff relative to Tiguan. Granted, you do pay for it... but to stay happy over the ownership of the car and to not have to pay thousands more for a luxury branded alternative, it's a reasonable proposition.

In short I haven't found another vehicle I'm more happy behind the wheel of overall than Tiguan. Honestly. I just spent a week driving the same spec as Greg and stand by that, because my article will read much like his. Except I'll add I'd like to see sport seats with the Sport Package, and the transmission was frustrating. And I too buy into the intangible VW qualities mentioned in the article... which I guess shows since I drive a Golf, and would a Tiguan if offered with a diesel.

Oh and PS, I find the Fit offers incredibly clever packaging, but it's far from comfortable as a driver and the dash layout isn't for me. They're in different classes, but I'd much prefer the Elantra Touring for the same amount of money. Which is why we should be ever so happy there's choice out there   

[aaronk]

...a Tiguan if offered with a diesel.

I think that would be a great offering - a TDI Tiguan. If someone could get into a base-model Tiguan with 6-speed manual, 4Motion AWD and a diesel for under $30K I think it would be a really unique offering. If drivers preferred an auto, VW could pair it with the DSG for  $1,500 more.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

...a Tiguan if offered with a diesel.

I think that would be a great offering - a TDI Tiguan. If someone could get into a base-model Tiguan with 6-speed manual, 4Motion AWD and a diesel for under $30K I think it would be a really unique offering. If drivers preferred an auto, VW could pair it with the DSG for  $1,500 more.

You may be able to get closer to that with the pending redesign, which I probably won't like as much as the current car - but who knows. I'd spend the $34-38K for a Tiguan Comfortline Sport Pkg'd 6MT 4MOTION (or even a FWD) if it were available. I'd then be bitching I want cloth instead of leatherette, but I'd buy the thing.

[SaskSpecV]

I'd spend the $34-38K for a Tiguan Comfortline Sport Pkg'd 6MT 4MOTION (or even a FWD) if it were available. I'd then be bitching I want cloth instead of leatherette, but I'd buy the thing. [/color]

So all else being equal, would you take a theoretical FWD, 6MT TDI Tiguan over your FWD, 6MT TDI Golf Wagon?  If so, why?  Just the higher seating position?  Is the Tiguan interior significantly nicer than the Golf interior?  The Wagon obviously has a lot more cargo room, but how else are they different?

[Jaeger]

SirAqua - I should have thought it very obvious that I was comparing the passenger and cargo space to the Fit - not overall comfort, dash layout, paint quality, brand snob appeal or anything else.  I suspect a lot of people might find a Fit too small for a primary vehicle for a family of 4.  The Tiguan offers similar interior space.  Look it up if you don't believe me.

A great many reviews have commented on the tight confines of the Tiguan - which is no surprise to those who have sat in one.  A couple of Tiguan owners take a different view and defend their choice - which is no surprise to anyone familiar with car forums.

Of course opinions will differ.  But your view that the space is adequate is no more "completely wrong" than is mine - and that of my car-shopping friend - that it is too small.  However, I do find the description of the interior space as a "marvel"  to fall outside the bounds of that upon which reasonable people might disagree. Unless one of those reasonable people were on crack.

Jaeger

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I'd spend the $34-38K for a Tiguan Comfortline Sport Pkg'd 6MT 4MOTION (or even a FWD) if it were available. I'd then be bitching I want cloth instead of leatherette, but I'd buy the thing. [/color]

So all else being equal, would you take a theoretical FWD, 6MT TDI Tiguan over your FWD, 6MT TDI Golf Wagon?  If so, why?  Just the higher seating position?  Is the Tiguan interior significantly nicer than the Golf interior?  The Wagon obviously has a lot more cargo room, but how else are they different?

Yes, I'd spend up to $6,000 or so more for it. The higher seating position for getting in and out (visibility too), more headroom (both have pana roofs), which allows the seat to be raised higher which is more comfortable on longer trips, more legroom less constrained for the right knee with the Tiguan's dash. The reduction in cargo room would be significant, but liveable.

Ultimately, really what would work best for me is the slightly dorkier looking Golf Plus. Because it'd have most of the advantages of Tiguan (except ground clearance) at less cost, and with presumably greater fuel efficiency. But VW would have difficulty charging for one in North America unless it was priced only at a marginal premium to the 5-door.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

SirAqua - I should have thought it very obvious that I was comparing the passenger and cargo space to the Fit - not overall comfort, dash layout, paint quality, brand snob appeal or anything else.  I suspect a lot of people might find a Fit too small for a primary vehicle for a family of 4.  The Tiguan offers similar interior space.  Look it up if you don't believe me.

A great many reviews have commented on the tight confines of the Tiguan - which is no surprise to those who have sat in one.  A couple of Tiguan owners take a different view and defend their choice - which is no surprise to anyone familiar with car forums.

That's the thing with some vehicle designs: dimension measurements don't tell the whole story. I find it offers abundant useable space where I need it, and where I find is often lacking elsewhere. Then throw in the little comfortable touches, adjustability, seat comfort, perceived quality and sturdiness, and overall 'yeah, I like this' factor... and I'm set.

It is a compact utility, no doubt about it, but it manages to compete well IMO with higher priced rivals. And up front comfort-wise with larger vehicles, although doesn't have the interior width of mid-sized SUVs and crossovers. Again, it all comes back to personal needs for a vehicle too though... it'd work for me, but already admitted it may not if I had kids due to the cargo capacity (the rear seat is fine). I regularly find it interesting when people say a vehicle is roomy, or small, because I don't always share that opinion. Mind you, I'm an odd shape  haha.

Also adding the beauty of the coming crop of compact and subcompact raised roof hatches and 'crossovers' (like the Benz B-Class, Mitsu RVR, Buick Encore) is their upright seating position. The ability to feel somehow comfortable in a vehicle with a small footprint. At least that's how I look at them.

[SaskSpecV]

Yes, I'd spend up to $6,000 or so more for it. The higher seating position for getting in and out (visibility too), more headroom (both have pana roofs), which allows the seat to be raised higher which is more comfortable on longer trips, more legroom less constrained for the right knee with the Tiguan's dash. The reduction in cargo room would be significant, but liveable.

Well, beign 6-4 and 285, I could understand that.  But I'm just under 5'10 and my wife is under 5'2.  So when you buy a new Tiguan, you'll sell me your Wagon at a forum-member-special price, right?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Yes, I'd spend up to $6,000 or so more for it. The higher seating position for getting in and out (visibility too), more headroom (both have pana roofs), which allows the seat to be raised higher which is more comfortable on longer trips, more legroom less constrained for the right knee with the Tiguan's dash. The reduction in cargo room would be significant, but liveable.

Well, beign 6-4 and 285, I could understand that.  But I'm just under 5'10 and my wife is under 5'2.  So when you buy a new Tiguan, you'll sell me your Wagon at a forum-member-special price, right?

Haha, sure. I'm already over 100K in my Golf Wagon, with 1 deer hit, a police car hit, and I'm sure something on the horizon. You sure you want my car when I give it up at 300-400K? 

For you the seat memory and seat height adjustability up must be more important factors. But that's why I find it perplexing when someone under 6' would claim a Tiguan is small up front. Not saying anyone here has, but I've heard it before and don't get it. But many people label a vehicle as 'small' if it's only the trunk that is, so would have to question for specifics.

[Jaeger]

That's the thing with some vehicle designs: dimension measurements don't tell the whole story. I find it offers abundant useable space where I need it, and where I find is often lacking elsewhere.

Of course interior dimensions / measurements don't tell the WHOLE story.  But they do provide some objectiove baseline for comparisons beyond purely subjective statements of personal perception and feel.  In the case of the Tiguan, they tell the same tale: small.

Again, it all comes back to personal needs for a vehicle too though... it'd work for me, but already admitted it may not if I had kids due to the cargo capacity (the rear seat is fine).

And I already agreed that if one doesn't have or intend to have kids, it might make a nice choice (see post 14) - so what's your beef?  A lot of cars are comfortable and accomodating for driver and front passenger if you have no need of putting people with actual legs in the back seat, or hauling around anything from strollers to hockey bags.

I think the issue with the Tiguan is one of expectation rather than perception.  One expects a vehicle of its size and class to offer more space than it does - and certainly more space than a Fit - which sets up disappointment for the buyer who loves the look and the ride, but needs more practicality.  Conversely, when one looks at the suubcompact exterior dimensions of the Fit, the expectation is for arguably less room than it actually delivers - which thus presents as a positive.

I don't find the Fit uncomfortably cramped in absolute terms - I find it arguably spacious in the context of an economy SUBcompact hatch.  I don't find the Tiguan uncomfortably cramped in absolute terms (at least not for the front riders) - but it is arguably tiny and confining for a compact premium CUV.  Context matters.  As you said, the vehicles are in different classes.  The Tiguan's class SHOULD provide significantly more capacious surroundings for its passegers than the Fit.  It doesn't.  The CR-V does.  And it is a whole lot closer in size to the Tiguan than the Fit is.

Jaeger

[bombastic]

Jaeger
BTW - why are you jumping down my throat - more than a few others have expressed the "wrong" opinion that this car is real small inside.  I have yet to see anyone here or in any review of the Tiguan endorse your description of the interior space as a "marvel".
I have nothing against you personally. Well, this is small for some of they guys in this forum, they are smaller out there for sure. They are bigger than this one for sure too. But dump down the car and say that the storage space is near to 0 is just..... I have 2 friends that bought the Tiguan and are pretty happy with it. So the story with your friend going for RAV4, hehe going for the bigger size, is just a story like many others. It does not prove anything.

[asrush]

Have 2011 trendline, purchased it new for around 31000. Best car we have ever owned and can't be compared to CRV, RAV4, etc..  A quality feel all around and the front and rear seats are much better than the RAV. The six is nice in the RAV, but ruins the driving dynamics. The Tiguan is fun to drive -- the CRV is not and the Sportage is unrefined. Agree the Highline is ridiculous, and of course the most expensive is often tested by reviewers. Drive the base trendline against others in the $30000 range, and you'll find there is no comparison.  Headroom, height adjustable passenger seat, soft materials, heated seats and the 2.0 engine is wonderful. If you want practicality grab the 4cyl Rav, but its a tin can compared to the Tiguan.

[Jaeger]

But dump down the car and say that the storage space is near to 0 is just..... I have 2 friends that bought the Tiguan and are pretty happy with it. So the story with your friend going for RAV4, hehe going for the bigger size, is just a story like many others. It does not prove anything.

You take offence too easily.  "Next to zero cargo capacity" is obviously an exaggeration.  Just like desribing a car that is underpowered as "Barely able to get out of its own way." It's not meant literally.  Were you not so personally wedded to your beloved vehicle, you would have seen it as such. In fact, if you weren't permanently set in attack mode, you might see that I actually had a lot of good to say about the vehicle - nice looks inside and out - nice ride and handling.  But like so many, you seem to feel that the car you chose can have no faults or shortcomings, and anyone who thinks so must by definition be "completely wrong".  Sorry to say, but that's where you're completely wrong.

And yes, I would hope that those who chose to purchase a Tiguan are happy with their choice.  Just as those that considered it - and chose not to buy it - are happy with theirs.  It's unfortunate that your fanboyism won't even let you contemplate that the latter might be just as true as the former.

Jaeger

[sailor723]

Have 2011 trendline, purchased it new for around 31000. Best car we have ever owned and can't be compared to CRV, RAV4, etc..  A quality feel all around and the front and rear seats are much better than the RAV. The six is nice in the RAV, but ruins the driving dynamics. The Tiguan is fun to drive -- the CRV is not and the Sportage is unrefined. Agree the Highline is ridiculous, and of course the most expensive is often tested by reviewers. Drive the base trendline against others in the $30000 range, and you'll find there is no comparison.  Headroom, height adjustable passenger seat, soft materials, heated seats and the 2.0 engine is wonderful. If you want practicality grab the 4cyl Rav, but its a tin can compared to the Tiguan.

I have to agree that VW's have that euro look and feel that sets them apart from the rest.That was certainlty the reason the Touareg was a finalist when I was shopping. I just think VW would have been better served (and rewarded with better sales) if this vehicle was closer to the class average in terms of rear seat room and cargo capacity.

[Jaeger]

Have 2011 trendline, purchased it new for around 31000. Best car we have ever owned and can't be compared to CRV, RAV4, etc..  A quality feel all around and the front and rear seats are much better than the RAV. The six is nice in the RAV, but ruins the driving dynamics. The Tiguan is fun to drive -- the CRV is not and the Sportage is unrefined. Agree the Highline is ridiculous, and of course the most expensive is often tested by reviewers. Drive the base trendline against others in the $30000 range, and you'll find there is no comparison.  Headroom, height adjustable passenger seat, soft materials, heated seats and the 2.0 engine is wonderful. If you want practicality grab the 4cyl Rav, but its a tin can compared to the Tiguan.

But I can get all that quality, and a car that is a lot MORE fun to drive, in the GTI.  And I'd be sacrificing little or nothing in practicality as compared to the Tiguan.

Agreed on the entry model being the most compelling choice - I feel the same about the Passat CC.  The base model is just super-nice for the money.

I do not agree that the Rav 4 is a "tin" in any respect, but certainly the Tiguan feels more solid and upscale.  The V6 Rav will run away from the Tiguan like it was a cripple, and perform much better under a full load of passengers and cargo.

Jaeger

[aaronk]

Have 2011 trendline, purchased it new for around 31000. Best car we have ever owned and can't be compared to CRV, RAV4, etc..  A quality feel all around and the front and rear seats are much better than the RAV. The six is nice in the RAV, but ruins the driving dynamics. The Tiguan is fun to drive -- the CRV is not and the Sportage is unrefined. Agree the Highline is ridiculous, and of course the most expensive is often tested by reviewers. Drive the base trendline against others in the $30000 range, and you'll find there is no comparison.  Headroom, height adjustable passenger seat, soft materials, heated seats and the 2.0 engine is wonderful. If you want practicality grab the 4cyl Rav, but its a tin can compared to the Tiguan.

That's good you are happy with your purchase, it means you value what the Tiguan offers (driving feel, quality materials, road feel) more than what the competition offers (better value, more power, more room, *reliability). I say reliability because some VW products, historically, have had trouble with electrical issues and generally expensive repairs. That being said they have very sturdy components and the bodies are better than most - can't argue with that 12-year corrosion warranty, a nice touch for anyone who drives any distance on our salt-brine rust factories we call Canadian winter roads.

Don't forget the Subaru Forester as a strong competitor to the Tigaun. Because it's Impreza-based, it also offers an excellent tactile road feel and AWD is standard, not to mention being available with a manual. For $33K the Limited model features many of the same premium options as the Tigaun Highline (sans pano sunroof), and opting for the XT Turbo model for $35K offers up more power than the Tiguan as well. If any semblance of off-road performance or ground clearance is an issue, the Subaru would be a stronger choice in that regard as well.

[airbalancer]

what is worst to have head gasket problems or electrical problems