There’s no denying that the mid-size SUV market is booming, and you only need to take a look at our roads to see the ubiquity of these vehicles. While Japanese manufacturers have long been the essentials in this segment, recent Chinese offerings are breathtaking.
The second-generation VW Tiguan presents itself as a desirable option for buyers who value criteria such as style and build quality, not to mention a reputable residual value. A thorough search of numerous used vehicle web portals confirms that the current generation Tiguan retains excellent residual value, making it an attractive proposition, especially with the third generation pending.
Recently, we decided to put our long-term loaner Tiguan through its paces to assess its performance as a family hauler for long trips, as well as its ability to tackle hilly roads and overtaking maneuvers.
So, we loaded up the Tiguan and headed northwest to visit family. As soon as we left Gauteng, and crossed Hartbeespoort to join the N4, fuel consumption dropped significantly, from over 8 liters per 100km to a respectable 7.8 liters per 100km. This proves, if needed, that even gasoline vehicles can be efficient in the right conditions.
Ride quality remains impressive, while road and wind noise are more than acceptable for a vehicle of this type. Overtaking slower vehicles proved very easy, requiring only a light touch of the accelerator, with the DSG transmission smoothing out the gear changes before passing traffic.
For fans of adaptive cruise control, the Tiguan’s system is reasonable, even if it’s not the most intuitive. However, I prefer to use the manual throttle controls. Yes, it may seem old fashioned, but I’ve always gotten better fuel mileage with this method.
With four USB ports on board, there were enough for my family to charge their phones and gadgets en route, providing some semblance of peace of mind during the long journey. The touchscreen climate settings remain difficult to use while moving, but Apple CarPlay makes it easier to access my music.
The panoramic roof gives the cabin a very airy feel. As temperatures begin to drop, early morning starts require the use of the heated seat feature, which has proven to be an invaluable and welcome feature.
To say that the family has become attached to the Tiguan would be an understatement. From school runs and extracurricular activities to errands and, now, long-distance travel, the Tiguan is a consummate mid-size family SUV, and we’ll be sad to see it leave our garage.
Positive and negative points:
POSITIVE ASPECTS: Comfort. Convenience. Fuel consumption.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS: Tactile buttons
DEPARTURE MILEAGE: 1,594 km
CURRENT MILEAGE: 7,865 km
PRICE: R843,000 (R958,749 in tested version)
This story of our family trip aboard the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan testifies to the enriching and comfortable experience we had. This SUV has proven itself to be a reliable road companion, offering a blend of technology, comfort and efficiency that makes it an attractive choice for families looking for adventure on the road. Both practical and efficient, the Tiguan skillfully combines style, build quality and fuel economy, making it a versatile vehicle suitable for various types of journeys. So, after exploring the features and on-road behavior of this Touareg, there is no denying that it deserves its reputation as a versatile, premium family SUV.