Topic: First Drive: 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

[AutoTrader.ca]

Updated, upgraded and upsized.
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[dirtyjeffer]

my parents were curious about this as a possible replacement, but received little input and information from VW about it (all the while they were pushing to get the dieselgate deals wrapped up)...it likely could have been in the mix, depending on packaging and pricing, but in the end, they got everything they wanted in the vehicle they chose, so no loss there.

[Noto]

My attempts at a timed 0–100 km/h run were stymied by the twisty, hilly roads along our drive route, the heat, and the 5,000-foot plus altitudes in Colorado, netting times that were consistently over 10.5 seconds with two people aboard.

Too many factors to say "yeesh" to, but

There’s no complaining about the new Tiguan’s fuel economy, however. Over the course of 110 miles (177 km) of twisting mountainous roads, I saw highway economy as good as 7.6 L/100 km, and I recorded a trip average of 8.9 L/100 km. An automatic engine stop-start system, standard across the range, helps maintain efficiency in congested city driving.

That's the exact opposite of what another media outlet found with the new Tiger-Iguana...

If the power cut was for fuel economy, it wasn’t really worth it. In our driving experience, we were averaging about 20 MPG to 22 MPG in both the all-wheel drive SEL trim and the front-wheel drive SE trim, which is still not great!

[tpl]

With all the variants of the VAG 2.0 turbo  and the DSG available I don't see why there needs to be a new version for this car.   Why have a new combustion cycle? crank up the boost just a bit  and use one of the ECU maps from another car.  Same  with the transmission, there are DSG variants that can do transverse and AWD  so why make ( or more likely buy) a new transmission.

A lot to be said for tried and true components.

[mlin32]

1. My understanding is that the new engine makes less power than the outgoing Tiguan's 2.0 TSI (EA113). But it probably has something to do with standardising production and engineering across platforms. This 2,0 TSI (EA888) in the MQB Tiguan is used across most regions so it makes sense to standardise. Why not bother to use the existing 1,8 TSI from the North American Golf/Jetta? Consider that the 1,8 TSI drivetrains used in the Golf and Jetta are North-American only and at 170PS, wouldn't really be competitive for a heavier vehicle like the Tiguan.

Americans and most Canadians prefer automatics, so no DSG.

[rrocket]

With all the variants of the VAG 2.0 turbo  and the DSG available I don't see why there needs to be a new version for this car.   Why have a new combustion cycle? crank up the boost just a bit  and use one of the ECU maps from another car.  Same  with the transmission, there are DSG variants that can do transverse and AWD  so why make ( or more likely buy) a new transmission.

A lot to be said for tried and true components.

You should see how much of a PITA IT is buying a turbo replacement/rebuild for one of these.

There literally are dozens of different housings depending on application.

[EV-Light]

The problem with this is that...it once again looks like a refresh and not a new model.

Let's no talk about power till we see some numbers


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[JRM]

I have been waiting to hear more about this vehicle as I'm thinking it would be nice to have easier ingress and egress than with my Passat, which I intend to replace in 6 months.   I don't want or need AWD or sun roof, but in order to get a few practical things I am used too and like; eg, heated seats, dual zone climate control and leather wrapped steering wheel, all standard on my base Trendline Passat, I would have to go to the Comfortline, which, I suspect, would cost much more than I'm willing to pay out for a vehicle with stuff I don't even want to get a few things I do want.  So it looks like the Mazda CX5 is still the only CUV on my list.  None of the others even interest me. 

[tpl]

1. My understanding is that the new engine makes less power than the outgoing Tiguan's 2.0 TSI (EA113). But it probably has something to do with standardizing production and engineering across platforms. This 2,0 TSI (EA888) in the MQB Tiguan is used across most regions so it makes sense to standardize. Why not bother to use the existing 1,8 TSI from the North American Golf/Jetta? Consider that the 1,8 TSI drivetrains used in the Golf and Jetta are North-American only and at 170PS, wouldn't really be competitive for a heavier vehicle like the Tiguan.

Americans and most Canadians prefer automatics, so no DSG.

So... if this new engine makes a bit less power then why not use the old one.   

I bet that 1.8 TSI could be at 200 bhp with no mods apart from software.  I owned a Audi 1.8 in 2000 that got to 200 bhp that way with no trouble.

As for the DSG.  The ONLY thing that seems to upset people is the expensive  fluid change every 64000 kms .   Easy answer to that... make the fluid cheaper and easier to change so that it doesn't take so long to do it. FWIW I owned a GTI with the DSG and for some weird reason the fluid change was fiddly and time consuming.

[tpl]

With all the variants of the VAG 2.0 turbo  and the DSG available I don't see why there needs to be a new version for this car.   Why have a new combustion cycle? crank up the boost just a bit  and use one of the ECU maps from another car.  Same  with the transmission, there are DSG variants that can do transverse and AWD  so why make ( or more likely buy) a new transmission.

A lot to be said for tried and true components.

You should see how much of a PITA IT is buying a turbo replacement/rebuild for one of these.

There literally are dozens of different housings depending on application.

OK I believe you...so why add yet more versions?

[sailor723]

I like that the 3rd row is a stand alone option. I'd far rather have the extra storage space and lose the weight.
It's unfortunate to read about the lack of passing power and the throttle lag issue even in sport mode. That would be a major turn off for me,especially in a FGC.

[dirtyjeffer]

As for the DSG.  The ONLY thing that seems to upset people is the expensive  fluid change every 64000 kms .

there's that, plus they can sometimes be a little lurchy at low speeds (like when you're looking for a parking spot at a mall).

[EV-Light]

I will complain about the towing capacity! 680kg is ridiculous...can you even tow anything with that? I think the lighter trailer I have ever seen was 650kg!


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[dkaz]

Prolite in Montreal has four ultralight camping trailers between 250 and 430 kg, and a few others in the 580 to 650 kg range.

But yea I remember when the Corolla and Matrix had a 680 kg towing capacity.

[sailor723]

I will complain about the towing capacity! 680kg is ridiculous...can you even tow anything with that? I think the lighter trailer I have ever seen was 650kg!


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I wonder how many of these 1500 lb towing restrictions are actually real and how many come from the legal department? It doesn't make sense that a what, 4,000lb? SUV with 185hp can't handle at least 3500lbs.

[NormT]

My attempts at a timed 0–100 km/h run were stymied by the twisty, hilly roads along our drive route, the heat, and the 5,000-foot plus altitudes in Colorado, netting times that were consistently over 10.5 seconds with two people aboard.

Too many factors to say "yeesh" to, but

There’s no complaining about the new Tiguan’s fuel economy, however. Over the course of 110 miles (177 km) of twisting mountainous roads, I saw highway economy as good as 7.6 L/100 km, and I recorded a trip average of 8.9 L/100 km. An automatic engine stop-start system, standard across the range, helps maintain efficiency in congested city driving.

That's the exact opposite of what another media outlet found with the new Tiger-Iguana...

If the power cut was for fuel economy, it wasn’t really worth it. In our driving experience, we were averaging about 20 MPG to 22 MPG in both the all-wheel drive SEL trim and the front-wheel drive SE trim, which is still not great!

The engine might be detuned to save room for Audi.

That 30 mpg is what my Envision 2.0T sees on a cooler day on the highway or about what a base Forester 2.5l sees.  But this new one is huge and sort of of tweener between cuv and suv.  So 30 mpg bests just about everything close to it in size.

[dirtyjeffer]

I will complain about the towing capacity! 680kg is ridiculous...can you even tow anything with that? I think the lighter trailer I have ever seen was 650kg!

most people don't tow, and those that do, will buy something more equipped to do so.

[Scaerio]

It looks like one of those "L" versions of standard cars that get stretched to get Chinese market preferences.

[EV-Light]

C&D called the engine 'gutless' and fuel economy as falling short of competition. I predict performance numbers will be weak...not sure why VW just didn't give it a proper powertrain.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-volkswagen-tiguan-first-drive-review

[dirtyjeffer]

C&D called the engine 'gutless' and fuel economy as falling short of competition. I predict performance numbers will be weak...not sure why VW just didn't give it a proper powertrain.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-volkswagen-tiguan-first-drive-review

they gave it a powertrain competitive in the class...the Equinox and CRV both use a 1.5T engine...i know the CRV sells well, and i'm sure the Equinox will do decent numbers too...VW will be fine with this engine...people in this category aren't looking for a GTI on stilts...they want something this shape, with a decent amount of space and isn't too bad on gas...that's why the manufacturers are making them that way...because that is what people are asking for.