Auto review: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan
The compact 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV is updated slightly from the previous year, including a new grille and minor equipment changes. The Tiguan’s styling is still cute, inoffensive and bordering on conservative.The Euro look is carried into the cabin and matches anything in this class, while the materials, fit and finish are very high class, almost Audi-esque. Controls are tactile, well positioned and ergonomics are good. The interior is spacious with firm, well-shaped seats, including a 60/40 split folding rear seat has a reclining backrest and a cargo pass-through in the middle. The rear seat also slides fore and aft to improve either rear legroom or cargo space.
The Tiguan disappoints only with the 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Even with the second-row seat folded down, maximum capacity doubles to 56.1 cubic feet, which is still less than its rivals.The Baseline comfort model arrives with 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, eight-way manually adjustable front seats, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The Trendline models add 17-inch wheels, additional chrome exterior trim, fog-lights, a roof rack, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, heated washer nozzles, a power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, leatherette vinyl upholstery, a trip computer, a roof storage console and an upgraded touchscreen stereo with satellite radio and an iPod interface. Opting for the SE’s Sunroof and Navigation package will get you 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system.
The Highline adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, and a 12-way power driver seat with memory, keyless ignition and leather upholstery. Adding Premium Navigation to the SEL adds a rearview camera. The SEL 4Motion, with Premium Navigation and Dynaudio option, rounds off the Tiguan with all-wheel drive and an eight-speaker premium Dynaudio sound system.
The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline, 4 cylinder engine which produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional. Transmission is either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Fuel consumption ranges from 11.4 L/100 km (city), to 8.3 L/100 km (highway) depending on whether it is front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Standard safety equipment on the Tiguan includes anti-lock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.In U.S. government crash testing, the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was awarded a perfect five stars in all front and side crash categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Tiguan one of its “Top Safety Picks” earning its best rating in frontal-offset, side and roof-strength tests.
On the road, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a willing unit with plenty of mid- range torque. On a variety of roads, the Tiguan feels composed with a light, well-assisted steering for low speed manoeuvres. The Tiguan impresses with European refinement and is very well executed.
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan- priced from $28,875 – $37,775
Categories: 2011, Auto, Nov / Dec 2011
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