2021 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift review, test drive

In circumstance you’d shed track of the Volkswagen Tiguan (not to be baffled with the lesser Taigun), here’s a rapid recap. It was a five-seat diesel top quality SUV assembled in India and released in 2017, touted by VW as remaining a much less expensive option to compact luxury SUVs like the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Then, when BS6 norms rolled about, VW discontinued it and changed it with its seven-seat sibling, the Tiguan Allspace. Besides this just one was a CBU import and it ditched the diesel motor for a 2. TSI petrol. And now, at the conclusion of 2021, the five-seat edition has returned and changed the Allspace at the major of the VW India pecking buy. It is regionally assembled yet again and it is retained the petrol motor from the seven-seater, but it is also been provided a facelift. Up to pace? Fantastic.

Refined does it

Variations at the rear involve extra chrome, reworked tail-lights and ‘Tiguan’ in the tailgate’s centre.

The large update on the outside the house is at the entrance. Gone are the blocky headlamps, grille and bumper, and in their place is a extra flowing, dare we say extra emotional, layout that is in line with more recent VWs. The headlamps prolong on to the flanks like the arms on a pair of sun shades, and in them you will come across new DRL signature and ‘IQ Light’ beams – VW Converse for Matrix adaptive LED headlamps. There is loads extra chrome in the grille this time, and even some in the entrance bumper. Close to the sides it is the exact same straight-laced and crease-significant profile as just before, with the exception of a new layout for the eighteen-inch alloy wheels. And last but not least at the rear, there are reprofiled LED tail-lamps, extra chrome in the bumper, and the Tiguan nameplate has now moved to the centre of the tailgate. You will also recognize the new, two-dimensional VW emblem included all about.

IQ matrix LEDs portion of spectacular frontal overhaul

Inside of way too, the standard layout of the cabin is mostly unchanged. It is still an all-black cabin, which several will come across just a bit way too uninteresting, but it is also incredibly very well designed. In good shape and finish are all but flawless and just about each area is soft-contact. What’s changed? There is VW’s new-era steering wheel, which feels like a long-overdue enhance from the outdated wheel that is been in circulation for about a decade. You now get a 10-inch electronic instrument cluster (like in the Allspace) with 3 configurable displays, the 8.-inch touchscreen works by using VW’s new operating process, and the gear selector way too is of a new layout. The USB ports are all Variety C now, and you can pick a color (from between 30) for the ambient lights this time. 

Sure it is black and uninteresting but you cannot fault the top quality. New steering wheel a welcome addition.

A modify we’re not so sizzling on is the shift from rotary knobs to contact panels for the AC controls they’re distracting to use on the go. Other feature standouts are heated leather-based seats (ventilated types would have been suitable), 3-zone climate regulate, on- and off-street travel modes and a panoramic sunroof, but what we’d also have appreciated to see at this value is a 360-degree camera and wi-fi mobile phone charging.

Touch AC controls a ache on the go.

The sculpted seats, entrance and rear, can experience a minimal comfortable for greater frames, but they’re very easily cushioned. Rear-seat area, as just before, is sufficient, and there’s even plenty of thigh help from the seats. A center passenger will come across it a squeeze, nevertheless, and will have to contend with a big centre console between their toes. What’s extra, you can modify the seat recline angle and slide the bench forward or again to liberate extra luggage area, should you need it. Not that you would, with 615 litres on present, and the option to split-fold the backrest forty:twenty:forty.

Large on area and comfy way too backrest recline angle can be established adjusted to accommodate.

To the environmentally friendly pump

As with each VW Team vehicle in India now, the current Tiguan is petrol only, and it is mostly for the most effective that they opted to use the 2. TSI relatively than the 1.five TSI, even nevertheless you can have it with the lesser motor overseas. Not only does this give you a stable 190hp and 320Nm to participate in with, it also assists independent the Tiguan from its lesser siblings, the Taigun and T-Roc. Nevertheless, we say ‘largely’ for the most effective, simply because if you’re not particularly watchful, this motor can have a ingesting trouble, as we have noticed in the Allspace and Skoda Outstanding. This is regardless of the use of motor quit-get started and decoupling the motor through coasting, and nevertheless we did not do an instrumented gasoline effectiveness take a look at, it did fare a minimal improved than the Allspace, nudging the 10kpl mark in blended driving.

That aside, nevertheless, it is a good motor in the vein of several great TSIs that have absent just before it. The Tiguan even feels a minimal sprightlier and lighter on its toes than its Allspace sibling, and in a rapid overall performance take a look at, it did -100kph in beneath 8.5sec (it even has Launch Handle). Never, nevertheless, blunder this for an outright sporty motor, simply because it isn’t. Sure, the DSG gearbox is rapid to shift as usually, but the 2. TSI in this guise doesn’t delight in remaining stretched way too difficult, and is extra snug at 8-tenths (assists with gasoline intake way too). Driven like this, you will improved take pleasure in its sufficient mid-vary, and enhanced refinement as opposed to the diesel.

At just about any pace, the Tiguan’s all-encompassing trip top quality soaks up every little thing.

It is at this tempo you will also be reminded of what a seem dynamic bundle it is. There is that outstanding European solidity with which it goes about its small business, and just over and above a sliver of fundamental firmness exists an all-conquering trip top quality. The tall 55-profile tyres about eighteen-inch wheels, merged with strong suspension, can just take an absolute pounding from the worst Indian streets can toss at them. Changing travel modes doesn’t affect the suspension, but then you really do not need it to the normal established-up is just that great. The suspension also affords it great human body regulate in the corners, and there’s plenty of grip from the AWD process way too, but like with the motor, you really do not want to drive way too difficult. That’s simply because the steering, nevertheless sharp adequate for everyday use, isn’t just one to coax you into a spirited travel, and this, in the end, is a large significant SUV that is geared extra to convenience.

’Guan for consideration

It could have been much less expensive than SUVs from luxury models, but as opposed to its friends in the top quality SUV area, the outdated Tiguan was a pricey affair. Four a long time later on, this new just one doesn’t modify that effect. At Rs 31.ninety nine lakh (ex-showroom, India), it is out of the league of the Compass and Tucson, and duking it out as an alternative with the likes of the Citroen C5 Aircross. Furthermore, with a petrol motor, you aren’t precisely recouping the sticker value with working prices around time. Sure, with petrol costs the way they at the moment are, that thirsty motor will possible element into the purchasing determination. But, if you’re good with that, what you’re finding is a top quality SUV that does just about every little thing near-flawlessly. It is lavish, very well made, very well equipped, snug, refined, spacious and even rather good to travel. In truth, it still delivers on that assure VW made – it is rather significantly every little thing you want from a luxury SUV, at a (marginally)decrease value.

Also see:

Volkswagen Tiguan facelift video clip review