Tiguan – What do I need to know?

[(steven)]

It looks like the wife’s car is about to be written off after another driver ploughed into the side of her car last week.

Therefore I need to speed shop for a new car. After a quick walk round the local car supermarket, the Tiguan came out as the firm favourite.

I ‘m thinking we will aim for a 140 bhp 2.0 TDI in S or SE spec, preferably the face lifted one as I hear they have a better ride quality.

What else do I need to know? Are they reliable, any common faults?

I realise on paper the Golf makes more sense, with it’s cheaper price, lower weight and better MPG but the wife likes the idea of the bigger load space, the better field of view, and I suspect, after being run off the road, the “safer” feeling you get from an SUV. More importantly, it’s what she wants.

Thanks

[missing the VR6]

The load space is only really bigger if you remove the parcel shelf and utilise the height gains from the body shape, otherwise I think there's really nothing to choose between them boot wise.

The S is horribly basic, probably best swerved if possible. SE is a good all round package.

[scoobyc]

Or if you remove the spare wheel and polystyrene around it and then replace it with a compressor and gunk you will have a much bigger boot

[missing the VR6]

scoobyc said:

Or if you remove the spare wheel and polystyrene around it and then replace it with a compressor and gunk you will have a much bigger boot

True, but the Golf has a spare wheel and a very comparable sized boot without the compromise.

[(steven)]

Thanks guys, very helpful. Does anybody know of a buyers guide, I've not had much luck finding one?

missing the VR6 said:

The load space is only really bigger if you remove the parcel shelf.

Really? All the reviews I've seen suggest 470 litres vs 340-380 litres, plus what ever benefits you get from the movable seats. Are they being economical with the numbers? (I.e. measuring from the roof line).

missing the VR6 said:

The S is horribly basic, probably best swerved if possible. SE is a good all round package.

Good tip. What important stuff is the S missing? Parking sensors seemed to be the main thing, anything else?

[missing the VR6]

For me the load space doesn't look a lot bigger with the parcel shelf in place than on the Golf. I've not measured it but just from sight.

[Deerfoot]

missing the VR6 said:

For me the load space doesn't look a lot bigger with the parcel shelf in place than on the Golf. I've not measured it but just from sight.

One of the reasons we discounted a Tiguan and bought an XC60 instead.

[scoobyc]

I thought that too before doing my research but the tiguan has a slightly bigger boot as standard (I think something like 380 vs 420 litres if I remember right) and as mentioned, if you remove the wheel it takes it to greater than 600 litres and thats without removing the parcel shelf. We had a mk7 GTI and recently changed it to the tiguan and the difference in boot space doing the above is a lot and thats without the added benefit of being able to move the tiguan rear seats forward (6 inches I think) or adjust the angle of them without folding them flat. No axe to grind etc just giving first hand experience of what we haave found

[(steven)]

Deerfoot said:

One of the reasons we discounted a Tiguan and bought an XC60 instead.

A mate mentioned the Volvo as well. I hadn't really considered one until now. They do look like nicer vehicles but somewhat larger, so I suspect that will put her off. I will take a look.

scoobyc said:

We had a mk7 GTI and recently changed it to the tiguan and the difference in boot space doing the above is a lot

That's good to know, as originally I had being pushing her towards a Golf/Focus.

[scoobyc]

If I get a chance (night shifts just now) I'll photograph it for you with rough dimensions