The updated Tiguan: how it is tested + all the changes
This is one of the most popular crossovers in Russia. “The right” size, production here, the ability to choose options at will and tolerable prices – the components of success.
My acquaintance with the updated Tiguan began “from Adam”. I visited the factory laboratories and, in fact, looked as far back as the design stage.
Components are checked with attention: the upholstery plastic is scratched, the painted body panels are shot with calibrated stones, they are marinated in water and salt solution. The appearance even of old VWs speaks for itself – they do not test for a tick. For me, the brightest result is seen on the chrome. In Kaluga, it is tested for durability of adhesion to the base surface and resistance to corrosion. In many cars the chrome quickly becomes unneeded, in the Tiguan it lasts a long time.
The optics spends a week in a chamber with 100% humidity and temperature of 40°C. They took it out in front of me and showed me: the moisture had settled on the outside, but not on the inside. In the base headlight of Tiguan, three tubes in the lower part of the body with a labyrinth of partitions inside are responsible for its drainage. I did not fail to ask about replacement of light LED modules separately: it is not provided, it is possible to change only a headlight assembly. But engineers smile: surely the craftsmen will think of something over time.
The plastic parts come painted from the suppliers. A reference plate is used to check the batch for shade matching.
The plastic parts come painted from the suppliers. A reference plate is used to check the batch for shade matching.
This is the headlight of the Tiguan in the Respect and Status configurations. The running light in it is simpler (the usual line), the turn signal with an incandescent bulb, but the low and high beam – on LEDs.
This is the headlight of the Tiguan in the Respect and Status configurations. The running light in it is simpler (the usual line), the turn signal with an incandescent bulb, but the low and high beam – on LEDs.
In the next room is the bare body. On it they check all the welding points. It’s a hell of a meticulous job, because there are 7,000 of them! Most, 5000 are spot welds. They also weld studs, use laser soldering and welding, classic carbon dioxide welding, glue and wedge connections. All parts are galvanized.
“Garage” restyling is hardly possible: some attachment points of fenders and hood are changed at the front. They are also new, as well as the headlights and bumper. There is additional internal reinforcement in the side members. If it doesn’t save either, up to ten airbags are deployed in the cabin.
“Garage” restyling is hardly possible: some attachment points of fenders and hood are changed at the front. They are also new, as well as the headlights and bumper. There is additional internal reinforcement in the side members. If it doesn’t save either, up to ten airbags are deployed in the cabin.
I received the keys for Tiguan, still smelling of paint, literally at the end of final assembly line and immediately drove to the mini polygon, several hundred meters long. All assembly line cars are driven there, including Polo and Rapids, assembled here. Rather tough road conditions are simulated on the track. “My Tiguan didn’t make a sound. If it had failed, it would not have passed the quality control.
Losses and acquisitions
From the proving ground – straight to ordinary roads. The Tiguan’s driving characteristics were not improved during the restyling. The MQB platform eight years after its debut is ready to challenge the majority of competitors. Maneuverability is “light”, but – firmly! And I also seized the car with “nineteen” wheels! I remembered the summer and the motorcycle: I could feel every stroke of the road marking in all the details, and this difference of some millimeters. And buying winter tires would cost a pretty penny. I would stop at the most modest size – 17 inches. And there are no other claims.
I measured 210 mm under the center of plastic protection of a crankcase. Slightly deeper you can see a small surge, it will take away at most a centimeter, so the figure is still very decent. Dared to climb the snowdrifts on the summer tires. And the Tiguan even climbed them – thanks to the traction control system. However, having rolled down with one wheel into a hole, I have given up: tires in season are more important than electronics. Do not judge strictly – the car is from the conveyor, it is necessary to put new shoes on.
The front of the Tiguan 2021 of the model year reveals itself only in expensive complete sets – by the headlights in the style of Golf 8. Nevertheless, in double strokes of running lights I see BMW. Such headlights have blinking “a running line”, automatic control of high beam, illumination of fast turns by a moving module, and slow – by an additional section. The difference from the pre-Restyle is also that the latter function was previously assigned to fog lights with halogen, and now they are abolished.
Compare: where are the real exhaust pipes, and where are the fake ones. The cutout in the bumper is for the factory towbar. It is registered in Technical Specification, and there will be no problems even with zealous traffic cops.
Compare: where are the real exhaust pipes, and where are the fake ones. The cutout in the bumper is for the factory towbar. It is registered in Technical Specification, and there will be no problems even with zealous traffic cops.
The taillights are almost the same as the Touareg’s. Under the emblem there is a huge inscription “Tiguan”. It is a trend today.
The bumpers are changed and the design of the wheels is updated. Two new metallic colors – brown and gray are added to the body color palette. Give or take, the same shades were used before, just now the colors are mixed a little bit differently.
Sensors!
You get used to touch buttons on a steering wheel very quickly. All cars have heated steering wheel, and it is three-step.
You get used to touch buttons on a steering wheel very quickly. All cars have heated steering wheel, and it is three-step.
The verified interior is diluted with sensor technologies. The control unit of light has not been touched yet: traditional rotating handle, clear even for blind people, has defended its positions. But the panel of a microclimate became flat. Taking into account impeccable work of automatic mode it is not a matter of principle – you can press Auto and forget it. And there is also the Menu key which displays all settings on the multimedia display. By the way, one can switch on heating of windshield only through it. It is possible to operate the touch buttons even with gloves. But the adepts of good old “knobs” will be still dissatisfied.
The second bridgehead won back by sensors is steering wheel spokes. Base versions have usual buttons, expensive ones have panels of glossy plastic, but relief. After a few minutes I already understand where to touch the buttons. The operation is confirmed by tactile feedback. The thing is so pleasant that I was constantly adjusting something unnecessarily.
The microclimate is maintained perfectly, and therefore it makes absolutely no difference how to adjust it: touch controls should not be intimidating. Three control zones are already in the “base”
The microclimate is maintained perfectly, and therefore it makes absolutely no difference how to adjust it: touch controls should not be intimidating. Three control zones are already in the “base”
No diesel yet.
A 220 hp unit 2.0 is back in company with well-known petrol motors capacity of 125, 150 and 180 powers. A lot of people will be glad, but not at the price – under 3 million roubles!
But why did they remove the diesel? Who asked? It, as we remember, for a while left the scene and on prestyle that inspires hope: the diesel will return! While fans of diesel will take money to dealers of Skoda – for coplatform Kodiaq.
The complete set was revised by names and composition of options. In ascending order: Respect, Status, Exclusive and R-Line.
The base Respect does not have parktronic, heated jets and windshield, and the multimedia has a 6.5-inch screen. Partly because of this, the Tiguan 1.4 Respect version is 40-50 thousand rubles less expensive than its predecessor in the GO! version – and costs from 1.75 million rubles.
Tiguan 1.4 Status (150 hp, robot) for 2.04 million rubles is 30 thousand more affordable than the similarly equipped old Tiguan Offroad, but now there is no beveled front bumper, which many people really liked.
Tiguan (150 hp, robot) Exclusive (this version hasn’t changed) has grown in price by 140,000 and is priced at least 2.35 million.
The R-Line version has lower skirt painted in body color. This car is only for asphalt. The new bumpers have increased the length of the car by several millimeters. The interior volume hasn’t changed.
The R-Line version has lower skirt painted in body color. This car is only for asphalt. The new bumpers have increased the length of the car by several millimeters. The interior volume hasn’t changed.
The R-Line version replaces the long-defunct Sportline: it’s the most expensive option – from 2.6 million rubles for a car with a 180-horsepower motor and a 7-speed robot.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has been improved point by point, with a focus on new technologies. The calculation, I suppose, is correct: the “German” is chosen for them. Pity, the prices have crept up – but it is unavoidable in today’s realities.
Volkswagen Tiguan 2020 test drive
Crossover German manufacturer Volkswagen Tiguan is considered quite popular in the domestic market. Unpretentiousness, style and economy in operation are the main advantages of the car.
The 2020 lineup has many significant differences that have transformed the familiar look of the car and made it more progressive. Many buyers are interested in taking a preliminary test drive of the model. After all, thanks to the test, you can get acquainted in detail with all the characteristics and understand the features of the car.
General features and characteristics of the model
The updated Tiguan has the characteristics of a high-level configuration. The car has received an absolutely new and unique design, which is expressed through the optics and some elements of the body.
Compared with previous modifications, the car has significantly increased in overall dimensions. The body has become larger by 3 cm in width and 6 cm in length. The wheelbase has increased, which in the new version is 2680 mm. The following characteristics are worth mentioning:
1. Overall parameters of the new body are 4486 mm x 1839 mm x 1643 mm. 2. Type of transmission – manual 6 gears or robot. 3. Engine range – gasoline – 1.4-2.0 liters (125-220 hp), diesel – 2.0 liters (115-240 hp). 4. Total weight of the car – no more than 1917 kg. 5. Fuel tank – 64 liters. 6. Wheel drive – all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive according to the configuration. 7. Ground clearance – 200 mm.
The model is equipped with new safety systems, with which even the basic version of the entry-level segment is equipped. The Tiguan has a trauma-safe hood. This system works by automatically triggering the external airbag, which minimizes the risk of injury for pedestrians.
The car is equipped with adaptive suspension. Depending on the configuration, the chassis may vary. It should also be noted that the new body has received more acceptable aerodynamic characteristics. Compared to the old model the updated model has only 0.32 Cx. In general, based on the official clab information, the car has a large number of modern features in the cabin, which positively affect safety and comfort.
What are the options on the market?
Tiguan is one of the few cars that have a large selection of modifications from the factory. In the domestic market, buyers are available with about 6 types of kitting. The basic trendline has a lineup of diesel and gasoline engines.
Diesels for any configuration are available exclusively in 2 liters and 150 hp. The exception is the version with the official chip, which allowed to increase the performance up to 190 hp. In addition to the basic, there is a Heinlein with a slightly improved interior trim and expanded functionality on the electronics.
The cost of different modifications on the market:
1. Trendline – from 1.34 million, rubles. 2. Comfortline – from 1,56 mln. 3. Highline – 1.86 mln.
In addition to the above versions of the crossover, there are p line and sport style configurations with a more sporty character. The first variant has a comfortable cabin and improved interior.
The sports version is equipped with a modified suspension, an additional transmission shift mode, as well as a more powerful engine with a chip. The cost of these cars varies in the range 1.9-2 million, rubles.
Most often, domestic dealers accept applications for purchase to order. At the moment, the most popular version is considered comfortline, which has proven itself on Russian roads and in the city. It is important to note that when buying a new car, customers have the opportunity to select an individual configuration themselves through the configurator.
The behavior of the car in the city
The 2017 version of the Tiguan in the configuration with a 2-liter gasoline engine and all-wheel drive, which can additionally be switched to front-wheel drive, is able to please the owners with good dynamics and traction reserve in almost any mode of driving.
The engine capacity of 180 hp is enough to confidently take a place in the stream. Combined with a 2-clutch robotized transmission, driving is more comfortable and gear shifts are unnoticeable. Using the manual mode function, the driver can select the desired transmission settings on his or her own.
However, the Tiguan is also capable of adapting itself to specific driving dynamics. The presence of a switchable all-wheel drive makes Tiguan more economical and convenient in different conditions. It is necessary to note the soft suspension, which isolates the passengers from potholes, deep cracks and potholes. Consumption is about 8.6 liters when driving relatively quietly.
From the conveniences for the city in the car version 2,0 liters of average configuration there is a rear-view camera, a set of parktronic, 4 ESP, light and rain sensors, sunroof, heated seats and mirrors, as well as LED-lights. The automatic parking system can be ordered as an option.
On-road performance
Despite its completely different intended purpose, the Tiguan is excellent for the road. The crossover easily withstands long journeys and has sufficient comfort. Soft seats with side support and comfortable seating in the cabin allow you to travel long distances without stopping.
Even with a robot, out-of-town driving will be comfortable and economical. The transmission program independently selects the necessary range of engine revolutions, which is suitable for a particular motorist. The list of features for the track includes a stabilization system, intelligent navigation, blind spot monitoring, fog lights and automatic handbrake.
There is also cruise control, hill and downhill assistance and a quality sound system. The most acceptable speed mode is 90-120 km/hour. However, the potential of the engine is enough to move 140 and more, and the car easily copes with a protracted overtaking.
Overall assessment and conclusions on the car
Tiguan version 2017 can be called a full-fledged crossover, which is excellent for the city. The high level of safety, functionality, economy and style make the car popular among the age category 30-50 years. According to leading analysts, the Tiguan is considered preferable to the larger Touareg. The crossover is versatile and easily adapts to different operating conditions. At the same time the car is rapidly gaining sales.
