Today, Volkswagen India is looking to revolutionise the Premium Compact SUV segment with the newly launched Tiguan.
The Tiguan made its global debut at the 2016 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the second SUV bearing the VW badge to enter India after the Touareg, which made a fleeting visit to Indian shores a few years ago.
It takes an efficient and sturdy car to survive in the crowded Indian Premium Compact SUV market. Throw in well-established rivals from Toyota and Ford, and you are left wondering — does the Volkswagen Tiguan have what it takes to unseat its competitors?
Styling
The styling of the Tiguan is typically Germanic. It must be said that the restrained yet sophisticated design may not appeal to the image-conscious Indian SUV buyer. Powered by
Up front, the almost sharp-to-touch and beautifully engineered bonnet creases stand out as being particularly attractive. The elegant front grille features two chrome-finished slats along with one that is blacked out. Flanking the grille, are large LED headlamps with daytime running lights, underneath which, sit the LED cornering lamps. The bold front bumper features a large central air intake and plays host to the fog lamps. To top it off, its electrically foldable side mirrors come with sleek turn indicators that can be adjusted from your seat. On the sides, the Tiguan sports a high and well-connected shoulder line that begins at the front wheel arching and running through the door handles, before meeting the rear tail lights. The beefed-up wheel arches play host to 18-inch alloy, which are shod with Hankook tyres. The rear end of the Tiguan features a small spoiler and raked rear window. The Tiguan’s sleek tail lights with their F-shaped LED pattern add a bit of fun to an otherwise plain-Jane rear end. Overall, the Tiguan’s right proportions, sharp creases, solid surfaces and short overhangs make it an attractive SUV. The design is progressive and competitive for this segment. Interior, Features, and Safety
While onboard, the Tiguan offers spacious seating for five, plenty of storage cubbies, A-1 luxury features, and logically laid out controls. Headroom and legroom are available in all around abundance. Taller folks seated at the front can cramp things up a teeny bit for rear occupants. The cabin is designed to redefine comfort in a classic German way; however, it definitely lacks the au courant looks of its competitors. Overall, the interior comfort will delight you. Volkswagen has packed the Tiguan with a host of features including the large 12.3-inch Active Info Display, which comes with Android Auto and CarPlay as standard on both trim levels on sale in India. The infotainment display is connected by an 8-speaker entertainment system that can hold a tune quite well. Other features on the Tiguan include the three-zone climate control and rear air conditioning vents. However, the standout feature on the Tiguan is the large panoramic sunroof lined with LED lights that make the cabin feel roomier and brighter when open. The 615-litre boot should more than accommodate any amount of baggage for a long road trip. However, for the extra large variety of luggage, the rear seats slide up to 170mm and recline, increasing the boot space to 1665-litres. Accessing the boot is as easy as waving a foot underneath the sensor on the rear bumper.