Volkswagen Tiguan Review

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL SUV Shown

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a late arrival to the compact crossover SUV market. While many competitors already have established small SUV models in their lineups, VW is hoping the Tiguan will lure customers away from a range of other options that have traditionally been somewhat bland. The Tiguan comes in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine -- the same engine used in sporty relatives such as the Audi A4 and the VW GTI.

The Tiguan's name will certainly attract attention. A figment of the VW marketing department's imagination, we're told it's a marriage of "tiger" and "iguana." This mammalian reptile is built on the same chassis as the Jetta and recently resurrected Rabbit. To keep the small SUV from looking like a hopped-up version of the latter, the Tiguan uses styling elements similar to VW's larger SUV, the Touareg, which gives the Tiguan a look that's both more aggressive and more upscale than its competitors. The downside, however, is that the Tiguan comes with slightly less space -- and a higher price tag.

Current Volkswagen Tiguan

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a four-door, five-passenger compact crossover that debuted for the 2009 model year. It's powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 200 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The base front-wheel-drive version comes with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, but all others are automatic-only. 4Motion all-wheel drive can be specified on all but the base Tiguan.

Three trim levels are available -- base S, SE and SEL -- all of which come standard with a generous number of features, including full power accessories, an auxiliary audio jack, a CD player, cruise control and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. Options include rear side airbags, a towing package, a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system.

In reviews, we've noted that the Volkswagen Tiguan stands apart thanks to its sleek European design and high-quality interior. Controls are large and well-placed, and the cabin is adorned with genuine aluminum trim. These virtues are matched with equally solid driving dynamics. Unfortunately, the Tiguan lacks the cargo space of some of its competitors. With 16.6 cubic feet in the rear, the Tiguan offers about the same amount of space as a large family sedan. With the second row folded down, maximum capacity measures 56.1 cubic feet, which is well shy of class leaders such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The Tiguan can also command a hefty price premium over other compact utes.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.