The Volkswagen Tiguan is a premium midsize SUV that strikes an ideal balance between style, comfort, performance and capability. It features the brand's signature design, highlighted by a chrome grille, LED lighting and dual-tone 18-inch alloys. The Tiguan is a tech-savvy and luxurious family SUV. Its competitive pricing and wide range of features make it a strong contender in its segment. This section highlights the key specs and features of this midsize SUV.
Bold look: The front fascia features Volkswagen's trademark chrome slat grille that creates a bold and imposing look. The grille has integrated all-LED headlamps that provide excellent illumination.
Sharp and aggressive feature: The sharp and aggressive-looking front bumper has a wide central air dam and neatly integrated LED fog lamps, giving the SUV a strong road presence.
LED tail lamps: The side profile is highlighted by prominent character lines that run across the doors and merge into the wraparound LED tail lamps. The flared wheel arches house stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.
Silver skid plates: Chrome window surrounds, silver roof rails and matte silver skid plates and scuff plates add premium touches while making the Tiguan look rugged.
Distinct style: Full LED wrap-around tail lamps with new Tiguan lettering connect through a reflective LED light bar, giving the rear a distinct style.
Interior: The dual-tone storm grey and black interior colour theme looks modern and matches the exterior's personality. The upholstery is finished in fine Nappa leather.
Customisable: Fully digital and customisable 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit displays vehicle data, including speed, RPM, and navigation, in high clarity. Custom views can be set using the multifunction steering wheel.
Infotainment system: The 20.32cm touchscreen infotainment system positioned atop the dash provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration through a responsive touch interface.
Interior lighting: Ambient interior lighting in the footwell and door pads sets a relaxing mood. A powered tailgate can be opened via gesture control for convenience.
Engine: Power comes from a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine producing 190PS and 320Nm, allowing strong acceleration.
Transmission: A quick-shifting 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox handles power delivery efficiently by providing smooth and seamless gearshifts.
Different drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual - alter engine, gearbox and steering responsiveness based on driving needs.
Safety gears: Six airbags, including side airbags, provide all-around protection. ABS, ESC and traction control are standard.
Park assist feature: The new park assist feature uses sensors to enable automated parking in parallel and perpendicular spots.
In the hotly contested midsize SUV segment, the Volkswagen Tiguan competes against the Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson, and Citroen C5 Aircross. While the Compass offers better off-roading credentials, the Tiguan strikes back with its more powerful TSI petrol engine, sportier handling, and lower pricing.
Styling and Design Language: The Tiguan has a European design with sleek LED headlamps, a wide grille, and muscular lines, giving it a premium SUV look. The Compass sports an American design language highlighted by the signature 7-slat grille, trapezoidal wheel arches and SUV proportions.
Length, Width and Height: The Tiguan has a length of 4,509mm, a width of 1,839mm, a height of 1,665mm and a wheelbase of 2,787mm. The Compass measures 4,405mm in length, 1,818mm in width, 1,640mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,636mm.
Cabin Space and Features: The Tiguan boasts a dual-tone black and grey cabin with Vienna leather upholstery and 3-zone climate control. The Compass sports premium black interiors with leather seats and an 8-way powered driver seat.
Features: Both SUVs offer features like panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, powered tailgate, and wireless charging.
Powertrain and Gearbox: The Tiguan gets a 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol motor mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The Compass has a 2-litre diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic gearbox.
Off-Roading Capability: The Tiguan features Volkswagen's 4MOTION AWD system with driving modes. The Compass also has an advanced 4x4 system with Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud settings.
Ground clearance: Both SUVs have approximately 205mm of ground clearance for light off-roading.
Safety and Driver Assistance: The Tiguan is equipped with 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, a rear parking camera, and front and rear parking sensors. The Compass offers 6 airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, hill hold and descent control, and a rear camera.
Design: The Tiguan's more premium and upscale look aligns with Volkswagen's European design aesthetics. The Tucson adopts Hyundai's latest Sensuous Sportiness design language.
Exterior: Signature elements like the chrome slatted grille, LED headlamps, and wide stance give it a bold look. The Tucson is equipped with a parametric jewel pattern grille, LED DRLs integrated into the hood, and a sloping coupe-like roofline, giving it a hi-tech and futuristic persona.
Interiors: The Tiguan offers leather-wrapped power-adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger. Tucson has a 10-way power-adjustable ventilated driver seat with memory and a power-adjustable front passenger seat.
Seating: In Tiguan, seating is lower, providing an engaging driving position. The rear seats are contoured and spacious. For Tucson, the rear seats can recline and split 60:40 for versatility. Headroom and legroom feel marginally better.
Infotainment and Connectivity: The Tiguan gets a 20.3cm touchscreen, USB charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Virtual Cockpit displays vehicle data digitally. Tucson offers a larger 26cm touchscreen with split screen functionality, integrated voice commands, and Bluelink connected car tech with Alexa and Google Assistant integration.
Ride and Handling: The Tiguan offers a comfortable ride quality while maintaining composed handling. The suspension dutifully absorbs bumps and undulations. The Tucson also focuses on ride comfort, but body roll is more pronounced. Steering is light and suited to urban commutes rather than enthusiastic handling.
Practicality: The Tiguan has a larger cargo capacity of approx 615 litres compared to the Tucson's 558 litres. Rear seat space is marginally better in the Tiguan. The Tucson's coupe roofline does compromise headroom for tall passengers.
Exterior Design and Styling: The Tiguan has a bold and muscular exterior with sleek LED headlamps, a wide grille, flared wheel arches and dual exhaust tips. The C5 Aircross goes for a quirky exterior design with split LED headlights, diamond-cut alloy wheels and high ground clearance of 230mm.
Dimensions: The Tiguan measures 4,509mm in length, 1,839mm in width, 1,665mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,787mm. The C5 Aircross is 4,500mm long, 1,969mm wide, 1,710mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,730mm.
Interiors and Comfort: The Tiguan provides a premium dual-tone cabin with leather upholstery, 3-zone climate control and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The C5 Aircross sports a dual-tone black interior trimmed in leather and cloth with heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a customisable 31cm instrument cluster.
Engine and Performance: The Tiguan is powered by a 187bhp, 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The C5 Aircross gets approx 177PS, 2.0-litre diesel motor paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Safety Features: The Tiguan has 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, rear parking sensors, a camera, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The C5 Aircross also has 6 airbags, blind spot monitoring, coffee break alert, hill assist, traction control, parking sensors, and a camera.
Off-Roading Ability: The Tiguan gets 4MOTION AWD, while the C5 Aircross comes with Grip Control for traction. The C5 Aircross has a higher 230mm ground clearance against the Tiguan's 205mm, so It has slightly better off-roading credentials
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