Model tested: Volkswagen Tiguan Highline 2.0 TDI 150hp
Pricing: range starts at €29,720; as tested, €40,403
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door, five-seat SUV
CO2 emissions: 125g/km (Band B1, €270 per annum)
Combined economy: 60.1mpg (4.7 litres/100km)
Top speed: 204km/h
0-100km/h: 9.3 seconds
Power: 150hp at 3,500- to 4,000rpm
Torque: 340Nm at 1,750- to 3,000rpm
Boot space: 520- to 1,655 litres
EuroNCAP rating: five stars; 96% adult, 84% child, 72% pedestrian, 68% safety assist
What are you driving?
It's the Highline version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, and this one has the 2.0-litre TDI 150hp engine. It has been fitted with the chunky and muscular R-Line options pack, which includes bigger, deeper bumpers, sills and a rear spoiler. It also has gorgeous 19-inch 'Sebring' alloy wheels and the standard spec includes LED headlights, three-zone climate control, the all-digital 'Active Info Display' instruments and active cruise control.
Name its best bits
The fact that it's classy and good looking, mostly. It's such a big improvement on the old Tiguan that it's hard to see why Volkswagen stuck with the name. The cabin is big, roomy and comfortable, the engine is refined, performance is decent and it's nice (if ultimately not exceptional) to drive. This R-Line body kit makes it look really mean and helps to distract from the bland 'Tungsten Silver Metallic' paint job that I have dubbed 'Nearly Beige.'
Anything that bugs you?
Those 19-inch alloys look great, but they do make the ride occasionally a bit fidgety and there's no getting away from the price tag: €40k, inclusive of options, is a lot and you don't even get standard satnav or leather seats for that price. And while the Tiguan's decent to drive, it lacks the spark of driver engagement that you'd find in a Ford Kuga or Mazda CX-5.
And why have you given it this rating?
Because it's a typical Volkswagen product - while you'd struggle to describe it as exciting nor as dramatic, it's one of those cars that grows on you enormously the more time you spend with it. True, you could have an even roomier Passat Combi estate for much less, but there's no denying the appeal of that chunky SUV styling. A car for which you'll pine when it's gone.
I want to know more
This test drive format is intended to give our first impressions on a car we've not yet fully reviewed. Go to our Ask Us Anything page, send us a question and we'll give you as much detail as you need on any specific aspect.
Further reading:
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line road test