The Volkswagen Tiguan is a popular choice in the compact SUV segment. This car combines the comfort and appearance of a larger SUV with the agility and practicality of a smaller family car. Below you can read what the Tiguan has to offer, what versions are available and what to look out for if you are considering this car.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan 5N a good choice?
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that brings the idea of the larger Touareg to a more affordable class. This car offers a good mix of ease of use in the city and possibilities for driving on light terrain. You can choose from different engines, from an economical 1.4 TSI (150 hp) to a powerful 2.0 TDI (170 hp) and 2.0 TSI (up to 200 hp), with both petrol and diesel engines.
The Tiguan is available with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive (4Motion). For those who want to get off the paved road from time to time, there is the ‘Track & Field’ version with extra protection on the underside of the car and a larger approach angle. If you prefer comfort, there is the Tiguan Sport & Style, with luxury options such as sports seats, a panoramic roof and a sliding rear seat.
The interior stands out due to a clear dashboard and sturdy materials. You can slide and fold down the rear seat, making it easy to carry long items. The luggage space is large: up to 1,510 liters with the seats folded down, or 470 liters if you use all the seats. That is useful for families or for holidays.
In terms of driving, the Tiguan is comfortable and feels solid on the road. With large wheels and four-wheel drive you have a lot of grip, even in corners. Some driving tests show that the car leans slightly in sharp corners and that the steering is not very sporty, but reliable. Thanks to the off-road button (with, for example, hill descent control), the Tiguan can also handle unpaved roads perfectly.
Petrol consumption can be on the high side. For example, the 2.0 TSI with automatic transmission came out at 1 in 9.3 during a test. However, many people take this for granted because of the driving comfort and performance of the Tiguan.
Performance
The Volkswagen Tiguan is available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, with both front-wheel and four-wheel drive possible.
For the facelift (until 2011), the Tiguan includes the choice of the 1.4 TSI petrol engine with 122 or 150 hp, with the 150 hp version available with both front-wheel and four-wheel drive. There are also two 2.0 TFSI variants: the 170 hp and 200 hp versions, which always have four-wheel drive. Diesel enthusiasts can choose from the 2.0 TDI with 110 hp, the 140 hp (available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive) and the powerful 170 hp diesel, which is standard equipped with four-wheel drive.
With the facelift model (from 2011), the engine range is further expanded. On the petrol side there are the 1.4 TSI with 122 hp, later followed by a 125 hp version (from 2015), supplemented by the 1.4 TSIs with 150 and 160 hp. Anyone who wants more power can opt for the 2.0 TSI with 180 hp (available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive) or the top version with 210 hp, always supplied with four-wheel drive.
The diesel range consists of the 2.0 TDI engine with 110 hp, the variants with 140 and 150 hp (with the 150 hp version available with both front-wheel and four-wheel drive) and various more powerful versions. For example, there are the 2.0 TDIs with 170 hp, 177 hp and 184 hp, which are standard equipped with four-wheel drive.
Space and practical usability
The Volkswagen Tiguan scores highly in terms of space and practical ease of use. In the interior, the flexibly arranged rear seat is particularly striking. You can slide and fold this down, making it possible to transport long objects without passengers having to sacrifice comfort.
The luggage space is generous: with all seats in use you have 470 liters at your disposal and if you fold down the rear seat, this increases to no less than 1,510 liters. This makes the Tiguan not only suitable as a family car, but also ideal for holidays or transporting larger items.
Reliability and problems
If you are looking for a used Volkswagen Tiguan, there are a few points to consider. Especially with the TSI engines, problems can occur with the timing chain, or rather: with the chain tensioners. These tensioners can wear out prematurely, which means that the timing chain is no longer properly tensioned. This can produce a rattling sound from the engine compartment when the engine is running.
Also check the maintenance booklet. Have the work on the chain already been carried out? Then that’s a nice bonus. In addition, the TSI engines sometimes experience high oil consumption. So don’t forget to check your oil level regularly.