The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan has gone on sale in South Africa and looks to redefine SUV aesthetics with a confident modern design.
Expressive design
The confident design is typically Volkswagen while still being thoroughly modern and refreshingly fresh. Distinctive features include a higher, more powerful looking front end with integrated LED headlights. In between a glass-covered horizontal bar with an integrated LED strip replaces the traditional radiator and adds emphasis to the unmistakable Tiguan design. The new Volkswagen Tiguan is optionally available with new IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights, a high-tech lighting system that comprises a total of 38 400 multi-pixel LEDs.
Athletic shoulder sections above the wheel housings dominate the silhouette. Wheel options measure up to 20 inches in size. At the rear a horizontal LED strip between the taillight clusters emphasises the width of the Tiguan’s new rear end.
All-new interior and infotainment system generation
The new Tiguan features a completely redesigned interior that incorporates high-quality materials that are well put together. The components of the latest modular infotainment matrix are merged on board to create a clearly designed and closely integrated cockpit landscape that is intuitive to operate. This includes a new digital cockpit and a large infotainment screen with completely new menu structure and graphics that measures either 12.9 or 15-inches as well as a multifunction driving gear shift with integrated OLED display and new optional heads-up display.
The new digital centre of the MIB4 is the touch display of the infotainment system where the graphic interface, structure and menu navigation have been redesigned in order to make operation simple, self-explanatory and customisable. New backlit touch sliders are located under the infotainment system display for adjustment of functions such as the cabin temperature and volume.
Located in the centre binnacle is a new rotary dial with integrated mini screen which allows drivers to change driving modes, radio volume and background lighting colours. In addition, numerous vehicle and infotainment functions can be easily adjusted using natural language and the new IDA voice assistant.
The gear position is now chosen via a steering column switch on the right of the steering wheel, freeing up space in the centre console. The switch is turned forwards to D and backwards to R, while the parking brake is activated by pressing the side of the switch. All Tiguan models have paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
New ergoActive Plus leather seats with pneumatic four-way lumbar adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber massage function are a perfect match for the high-quality character of the Tiguan, they are optional fitment on Life derivatives and standard fitment on the R-Line models.
The new Tiguan has increased in length by approximately three centimetres while the height, width and wheelbase remain practically identical. However optimised packaging has resulted in a roomier interior. For example the luggage capacity has increased by 37 litres to 652 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests.
The new Tiguan is available with a wide variety of driver assistance features. This includes the standard fitment of Park Assist Plus that allows for assisted driving into or out of parallel or bay parking with the vehicle handling functions including acceleration, braking and steering. Also available is the trailer manoeuvring system, adaptive cruise control, hill start assist, park distance control, electronic stability control, travel assist, driver alert system, park assist plus, proactive occupant protection system, rear view camera system, lane assist, side assist with rear traffic alert and exit warning system and area view including a rear-view camera system.
The interior represents rather significant improvements over the previous model. It is substantially more premium, and the digital screens have been refined, with a better user experience. The interaction between driver and vehicle has also been improved with clever switchgear.
Local model range
The Tiguan is fitted with 17-inch Bari alloy wheels, Eco LED headlights, a 10-colour ambient lighting dashboard, 12.9-inch Composition Media Touchscreen Radio, Bluetooth and Wireless App-Connect. Life Seat upholstery in fabric, three-zone climatronic, multi-colour digital cockpit and park assist plus with park distance control complete the interior appointments.
The Tiguan Life adds to this specification offering with the addition of Park Assist Plus with Park Distance control, Light Assist, electrically folding exterior mirrors and exterior ambient lighting.
The R-Line is characterised by additional features such as LED Plus headlights with auto high-beam, Sport Varrena leather seats with R-Line logo, new R-Line interior and exterior design elements, ErgoActive seats with power adjustment, massage program, memory feature and active climate seats. 19-inch Coventry alloy wheels, silver anodised roof rails and 30 colour ambient lighting on the dashboard and doors complete the package.
The Tiguan R-Line can be further customised with a Black Style Package which includes 20-inch York alloy wheels in black, black roof rails, black coloured exterior side mirrors, black chrome elements on the grille and diffuser and privacy glass for the side and rear windows.
Under the bonnet
At launch the new Tiguan will initially only be available with a 1.4-litre TSI engine that develops 110kW and 250Nm and which is mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission. This allows the Tiguan to accelerate to 100km/h in 9,2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 207km/h.
The range will be bolstered by the addition of a 2.0 TDI engine producing 110kW and a 2.0 TSI engine boasting 140kW from November 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 respectively.
Model range and pricing
Pricing includes a three-year/120 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km EasyDrive Service Plan.
Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG R651 500
Tiguan Life 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG R702 800
Tiguan R-Line 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG R766 300
Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110kW 4M DSG R755 700
Tiguan 2.0 TSI 140kW 4M DSG R834 800
