Smaller dimensions and my driving experience put the Tiguan in a class of its own. I enjoyed test driving the CX-5 and CR-V and while the Tiguan was not necessarily more athletic, the driving experience and interior felt a class above. This generation of the Tiguan is Volkswagen before the cost-cutting - not a volume seller, but it fills a niche for those wanting a premium feel without the Audi markup, much like the Jetta used to be stepping stone to the A4 or 3-series. Cargo space is comparable to a hatch, smaller than other compact CUV's, but just as versatile as both. As a side-note, I would pick the Jetta over both if VW would just improve the interior quality. The Golf is a great car and is the smart choice for fuel efficiency, but the looks never grew on me so the Tiguan was a good alternative. Contrary to most reviews, the interior was actually larger and more airy than I expected. With both the front and back seats adjusted all the way back, there was plenty of legroom but it comes at the expense of less cargo space in the rear. Fuel economy is not a strong point, especially since I do mostly city driving, but the performance in my eyes is worth the trade off. Once the turbo kicks in it's hard not to smile and it feels very stable at high speeds or during bad weather. The steering is a little light at lower speeds but has great feel at higher speeds. The stereo on the SE (something often overlooked in reviews but important to me) is as good, or better, than top of the line systems in other brands. In my opinion, the upgraded Fender system is unnecessary. The good aside, I have to agree the driving position takes getting used to. The view is commanding, but the steering wheel and dash feel too high, and the armrests too low (I am 6'0). I personally like the firm seats. I would not, and did not pay MSRP for the Tiguan SE, especially since an all-new version will be available later this year. Reliability is unknown for me at this point, but in over 100k miles with my last Jetta 2.5 I had to do nothing but replace a battery. Hoping for the same experience here.
