Volkswagen Tiguan Sport 2.0 TSI (DSG) Review
Eye of the Tig(er)

Story and photos by Raymond Lai
13 Oct 2011

The Tiguan receives a facelift to bring its looks up to match its more contemporary stable mates. Raymond Lai checks it out.

Introduction, styling

The mid-sized SUV sector is an ever-growing one. Gone were the days when the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Suzuki Grand Vitara were the only models you could buy in this class. These days you could buy models from BMW, Audi, Volvo, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Kia, Hyundai, Subaru and so on. The recent hikes in fuel prices have compounded the demand and popularity of these mid-sized SUV as buyers shy away from larger and fuel guzzling models.

Other than the abovementioned brands and models, there’s also the Volkswagen Tiguan to consider. In its previous iteration, the Tiguan had been a roaring success for VW. Since its launch in Germany in 2007, more than 700,000 have found homes all over the world and it had been the most popular SUV model in its home country. Four years on and Volkswagen has introduced a heavily updated version of the Tiguan. The Tiguan sits under the Touareg in Volkswagen’s SUV range and is often touted as a Golf SUV even though its underpinnings are more similar to the Passat’s and Touran’s rather than the Golf.

Outwardly, the new updated Tiguan somewhat resembles a more compact version of the second generation Touareg. In terms of styling, the new car differs most from the old at the front where the Tiguan’s previous slightly fussy nose treatment has given way to a simpler but yet more thrusting Volkswagen corporate face with the twin vertical bars radiator grille and slim headlamps look. For the Sport model, the headlamps feature LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the new model is only distinguishable from the old by its new red-tinted tail lamps with their L-shaped motifs.

The overall proportions are OK and the design details that makes it instantly recognizable as a Volkswagen are present, but you somewhat feel that its overall looks can be a tad more adventurous – this is after all, a lifestyle niche vehicle rather than a mainstream hatchback or saloon. The Tiguan is a smart looking compact SUV that has a nice mix of ruggedness and elegance in its stance but if only it could look a bit more special or adventurous (something like the original concept model will do).

Next Page - Performance, ride and handling

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