2019 VW TIGUAN: ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN A COMPACT CROSSOVER SUV
Volkswagen gave its Tiguan compact SUV a much-needed makeover for 2018, and apparently designers/engineers got things the way they wanted because about the only updates for 2019 involve some shuffling of equipment.
The 2019 Tiguan crossover is offered in six trims (S, SE, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line with the latter two topping the portfolio and getting VW's 4-Motion all-wheel drive as standard. The other four trims come with front-wheel drive as standard and 4Motion as an option.
VW's Digital Cockpit and Park Distance Control are now standard on SEL models after debuting on SEL Premium in 2018.
All Tiguans come with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It runs on regular unleaded fuel and is rated at 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Mileage figures are 22 miles-per-gallon city, 29 highway and 25 for with FWD and 21/29/24 with the 4-Motion system.
Those aren't particularly great numbers for the class, and it could use a little more punch when it comes to performance, though Sport mode does deliver more in the way of response.
This review is based on the 2.0T SEL Premium model, which comes packed with just about every and any feature you might desire included in the MSRP of $38,190 (that includes the $995 destination and delivery charge, but not the $295 for the Habanero Orange Metallic exterior that ran my test vehicle's total to $38,485).
In addition to the usual collection of seat belts and air bags, safety features include Anti Slip Regulation and Engine Brake Assist, Intelligent Crash Response System, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, blind spot monitor, lane-keeping assist, and a rear view camera, all standard.
Technology systems include an overhead camera system, VW's Virtual Cockpit, remote start and remote power liftgate, 8-inch touchscreen navigation, Fender Premium Audio, Bluetooth connectivity, and adaptive cruise control, all standard.
Other features include automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power tilt and sliding panoramic sunroof, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, leather seating surfaces, and 19-inch alloy wheels, all standard.
Third-row seating is available in FWD models and available as an option for 4-Motion models, though it cuts back considerably the available cargo space (a generous 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row).
If you can live without some of those features, the SE trim is well-equipped and has a starting MSRP of $27,690 (including the destination and delivery charge) with front-wheel drive and $28,990 for the 4-Motion system.
Even the SEL trim with FWD will save you $5,400 over the SEL Premium. It's definitely worth considering if you can live with Halogen headlights in place of LED, leatherette seats instead of leather, and without rain-sensing wipers. The SEL comes navigation and a power liftgate as well.
What I liked about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium: After dealing with smaller screens in a couple of more expensive vehicles, the image for the rearview camera was a joy to see -- very clear in high def and good size as well. There's a good bit of technological features, and they are user-friendly to operate.
What I didn't like about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium: Driving in Sport mode remedies what could have been a complaint about the lack of energy and performance in Normal mode.
Would I buy the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium? Yes. This meets a lot of what you are looking for in a compact SUV/crossover with good passenger and cargo space and easy handling. I would go with another color though!
VOLKSWAGEN GIVES ITS TIGUAN CROSSOVER LONG OVERDUE MAKEOVER FOR 2018
Having debuted as a 2009 model as Volkswagen’s first compact crossover SUV, the Tiguan moves into its second generation as a 2018 model, which is bit longer than usual between redesigns.
But it was well worth the wait.
The new Tiguan is bigger than its predecessor with 57 percent more cargo capacity, an 8-speed automatic transmission (replacing a 6-speed), an engine that can run on regular fuel, and more available safety features that include adaptive cruise control, forward collision and lane-departure warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, and blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert.
There’s also third-row seating that is standard on front-wheel-drive models and optional on models featuring VW’s four-wheel-drive, 4MOTION system. (If you don’t need that third row for little kiddies, stick to two-row models and you’ll get over 37 cubic feet of stowage capacity in the back.)
All that makes the Tiguan a more attractive option for buyers, especially those “looking for something different.”
The 2018 Tiguan comes in S, SE, and SEL trims. The former R-Line model is now a package of exterior and interior design features offered on SEL and SEL Premium trims. It replaces standard 18-inch wheels with 19-inchers and adds Park Distance Control (ParkPilot) at a cost of $1,795 for SEL and $1,495 for SEL Premium models, which already include the larger wheels and ParkPilot as standard.
All Tiguan models come with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. That’s less horsepower and a bit more torque than its predecessor, and if not neck-jerking numbers, they are at least adequate enough to provide a comfortable ride around town or on the highway.
With South Florida’s flat terrain, it wasn’t possible to get a feel for what the Tiguan might be like driving in hill country.
AWD models offer a selection of driving modes that include sport, eco, comfort, and personal as well as off-road. You can select gears manually, but without paddle shifters, that is kind of a waste. The only advantage for that would be to set the transmission in second or third gear for extra pulling power or going up steep inclines. Towing capacity on the 2018 Tiguan is only 1,500 pounds so it could use some help there.
Usually, with low power numbers, you are compensated with better fuel mileage numbers, but the Tiguan checks in at only 21 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway with AWD and 22/27 with FWD. But, as mentioned earlier, at least you aren’t required to use premium fuel for top performance as with the 2017 Tiguan.
The SEL trim gets features like Halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights, silver roof rails, power sunroof, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 40/20/40 split folding second-row, rear-view camera, Bluetooth communications, push-button start, and navigation along with many of the safety features that are optional on lower trims as standard. MSRP starts at $32,390 for the SEL.
My Tiguan SEL for the week came with the R-Line package and a special orange metallic interior which, along with a $995 destination and delivery fee, ran the total price to $35,325.
But the Tiguan S starts at $25,345, not including destination and delivery, and the SE starts at just over $30,000. SEL Premium models start at $36,250.
An aside here: Volkswagen is selling a 2018 Tiguan Limited that essentially is a carryover from the 2017 Tiguan. With it starting at just over $23,000, it will save you some money over even the 2018 Tiguan S, but it won’t have the updated features the new models feature.
Consider yourself forewarned.
What I liked about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL: The 8-speed automatic is one of the smoothest-shifting transmissions you can experience. It almost feels like a CVT. There is nice stowage room in the back for five-passenger versions, and the radio and A/C are adjustable with easy-to-use knobs.
What I didn't like about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL: Fuel economy is only so-so.
Would I buy the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEC? Yes. It could use a little more power, but it’s fine for navigating urban streets. It offers a nice alternative choice for those who want an SUV but don’t need one the size of VW’s Atlas.
