The new VW Tiguan is a comfy and good-to-drive SUV

The VW Tiguan was updated last year with a refreshed interior and exterior styling and more standard features. It’s big and beautiful to look at, with an overall classy image. The compact SUV continues to compete with its old foes, such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage, etc., as well as the newly introduced Haval H6.

Volkswagen South Africa offers the new Tiguan in four trim levels – Tiguan Base, Life, R-Line, and newly-launched Tiguan R.

The three engine choices include:

• 1.4 TSI producing 110 kW mating to a 6-speed auto gearbox
• 2.0 TDI generating 130 kW pairing with a 7-speed auto gearbox
• 2.0 TSI yielding 162 kW for the R-Line or 235 kW for the R model combing with a 7-speed auto

The Base and Life models feature the 1.4-litre petrol engine powering the front wheels. You can have the R-Line with any of the three available powertrains. The 2.0-litre diesel and the 2.0-litre petrol both come standard with the 4Motion all-wheel drivetrain.

The range-topping Tiguan R is the most potent model in the line-up, churning out 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque. The 4Motion all-wheel drivetrain features R-Performance Torque Vectoring for enhanced agility and dynamic handling. Volkswagen says it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in only 5.1 seconds and top out at 250 km/h. The R drive mode, activated by a button on the steering wheel, further improves the performance.

The exterior design looks stylish, dynamic, and expressive, but if you really want to stand out, we highly recommend the R-Line style package. With each trim up the ladder, amenities get better with the Tiguan R offering all the bells and whistles, and it also looks different from the rest of the line-up. The flagship features R-style bumpers, matt chrome mirror coverings, high-gloss black rear diffuser, black wheel casing extensions, and 20-inch Misano alloy wheels, compared to Base trim’s 17-inch wheels.

The 2023 Tiguan’s driver-oriented cockpit is not that impressive in the standard model. For an upmarket feel, you must either pay extra for optional features or buy the R-Line model. It comes equipped with the Digital Cockpit Pro, including a 26 cm (10.25 inch) TFT colour display, luxurious comfort seats, and LED interior lighting in the front and rear, in addition to mood lighting.

Furthermore, the Discover Pro Navigation is optional for the Base and the Life and standard for the R-Line. However, We Connect Go and App Connect with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality are standard equipment.

VW ensures safety through the area view and rear-view camera system incl. Park Assist and PDC; IQ Drive: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change System, Park Assist & Autonomous Emergency Braking; IQ Drive: Adaptive Cruise Control, Pedestrian Monitoring, &

Autonomous Emergency Braking; IQ Drive: Adaptive Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, Park Distance Control – alerting signals for hindrances in the front and rear; Trailer Manoeuvring System including "Park Assist."

Unfortunately, most of these features are not standard for Tiguan.

The 2023 VW Tiguan starts at R 580,300,00, the Life goes for R 648,500,00, and the most expensive Tiguan R demands a hefty R 999,900,00. A 3-year/120,000 km warranty and a 5-year/100,000 km maintenance plan is standard across the line-up. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

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