Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2023 review: Monochrome

In a sentence? Yes, it does.

The Monochrome Allspace lists at $55,690 (there's a five-seat version that's yours for $53,390) MSRP, which puts it below the R-Line Allspace ($60,290), despite sharing the same potent engine, gearbox and AWD.

Already beginning to feel like a bit of a bargain, no?

The Monochrome gets a blacked-out design theme, with black alloys.

For that money, you'll find some changes to the equipment list, when compared directly with the R-Line. For one, 19-inch Valencia alloy wheels in glossy black replace the 20-inch alloys on the R-Line.

You also get an 8.0-inch multimedia screen, instead of a 9.2-inch unit. The manual-adjust seats are wrapped in 'ArtVelour' and cloth, rather than powered and with leather, and there is no front seat or steering wheel heating.

You also get an 8.0-inch multimedia screen, instead of a 9.2-inch unit.

Some safety systems are "currently unavailable" too – as they are on the R-Line – and it's available in just four colours as standard (silver, grey, white and black), with a unique-to-Monochrome colour called 'Oryx White Pearlescent' available for an extra $900.

The question now is, do you care about missing out on some of the niceties to put an extra $4100 in your pocket? That's a question only you can answer, but perhaps don't even try until you get to the Engine and Transmission section. In it, you'll find important stuff that could help you make your mind up.

While not game-changing, there is also absolutely nothing offensive about the Tiguan Allspace's styling, with the mid-size SUV still presenting as a polished and premium-looking entrant in its field –  and one that won't age badly in the years ahead.

The Monochrome gets a blacked-out design theme, with those black alloys, a dark tint across the rear glass, and what VW calls its 'Black Style Package', which sees darkness wash over the roof rails, the lower rear bumper, the rear spoiler, the wing mirrors, the window trims and part of the grille.

Inside, there are some less-than-premium touchpoints, and you could argue it lacks true wow factor, but it remains a clean and practical-feeling space without much in the way of clutter.

Understated, then, which is never a bad thing in our book. I really like the steering wheel with its gloss-black buttons, and I love the perforated-feeling leather that wraps the wheel, which is great to touch.

VW has done a great job of hiding the fact you've got a smaller media screen, too. Framed as it is by a black casing and buttons, it looks bigger than it really is.

Inside, there are some less-than-premium touchpoints, and you could argue it lacks true wow factor.

At 4734mm in length, 1839mm in width, and 1688mm in height, the Tiguan Allspace sits squarely in the medium-SUV category, which means its third row of seating falls into the part-time rather than full-time category.

What does that mean? Simply that the Tiguan is predominantly designed as a five-seat vehicle, with plenty of room in the second row, and the flexibility of a third row when you need it.

Open the boot, and you'll find an easy-to-load space when that third row is folded flat, only with a floor height that's a little higher than you might expect.

It remains a clean and practical-feeling space without much in the way of clutter.

That's mostly because there is a bench that raises the boot floor to the same level as the folded seat to give you a flat space to play with. Under that removable bench lives the privacy screen and space-saver spare.

In this configuration you'll get a very usable 700 litres of luggage space, but fold the second row and that number swells to 1775 litres.

With the third row of seats in the place, however, the boot shrinks considerably to just 230 litres, but the whole idea of a just-in-case option is that the third pew will likely be down far more often than it's up.

The middle row is the pick here, which slides forwards or backwards to produce more leg room, with head and shoulder room ample, too.

Speaking of which, climbing into the third row is a little challenging for adult-sized people, and once back there you realise it is clearly a place designed for children, or in case of emergency. Once in, you'll find cup storage, but no USB ports, seat heating or climate functions.

The middle row is the pick here, which slides forwards or backwards to produce more leg room, with head and shoulder room ample, too. There's also a USB charge point, a power source and air-con controls.

Up front, there's wireless charging, two USB ports and a power source, as well as two cupholders splitting the two front seats.

There's no shortage of power here, with the Allspace sharing its turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with the 162TSI R-Line.

That number refers to the power on offer, with the Allspace producing 162kW and 350Nm, which is ample to grunt to keep the seven-seat Tiguan happily humming along.

A '4MOTION' all-wheel-drive system is standard fit, too, as is the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There's no electrification on offer, and the Tiguan has a thirst for premium unleaded, of which it should need a claimed 8.6L every 100km on the combined cycle.

We did a lot of driving over all sorts of roads – though, admittedly with a fair bit of freeway thrown in – and we were averaging 8.4L/100km.

That means its 60-litre tank should carry you around 700km, and – based on today's pricing in Sydney – should cost around $115 to fill up.

If the big benefit of an occasional seven-seater is that they don't look like a big and bloated full-size SUV, the other huge perk is that they don't drive like one either.

Slip into the driver's seat of the Tiguan Allspace Monochrome and the vehicle somehow shrinks around you, and feels more like you're piloting a high-riding hatchback than a family bus.

In real terms, that means a vehicle that feels easy to steer through the city, and one in which parking in public won't see you breaking out in a cold sweat.

If the big benefit of an occasional seven-seater is that they don't look like a big and bloated full-size SUV, the other huge perk is that they don't drive like one either.

But on those rare days you get to escape the confines of suburbia and find yourself on a twisting road, you'll be behind the wheel of an SUV that feels low and flat when cornering, and is far more dynamically capable than you might expect from a seven-seater.

It's engaging, delivering that VW trick of tuning the suspension to a point that is never uncomfortable, but that also feels like it's delivering a true connection to the road surface below you.

The steering is well weighted and confidence inspiring, even in its most comfortable settings, without much in the way of on-centre slack.

It's engaging, delivering that VW trick of tuning the suspension to a point that is never uncomfortable, but that also feels like it's delivering a true connection to the road surface below you.

The cabin experience is quiet enough, too, with most of the outside world locked outside, though there is intrusion when you plant your right foot.

It has one of the most powerful engines in the VW Tiguan family, but the application here doesn't feel ferocious. Equally, it never feels underpowered, just well-suited to the job at hand.

In short, it's an impressive offering, and largely exactly what we've come to expect from the Tiguan family.

On those rare days you get to escape the confines of suburbia and find yourself on a twisting road, you'll be behind the wheel of an SUV that feels low and flat when cornering.

Some of the high-tech safety systems you'd usually find on a Tiguan in this price bracket are simply not available to VW at the moment, and so the Allspace Monochrome does without 'Side Assist' (blind-spot monitoring) and rear cross-traffic alert.

What you do get, though, is adaptive cruise with stop and go, AEB with pedestrian monitoring, lane keeping assist, a park assist system that works for nose-in and parallel parking, and front and rear parking sensors.

Some of the high-tech safety systems you'd usually find on a Tiguan in this price bracket are simply not available to VW at the moment.

There are also seven airbags, including a driver's knee bag, with curtains that cover all seating rows.

The Tiguan was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2016.

The Tiguan Allspace Monochrome is covered by VW's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with 24-hour roadside assistance thrown in for the first 12 months.

You can also buy a 'Care Plan' at the time of purchase which bundles your servicing costs into one payment. Five years will set you back $2950, while three years is yours for $1650.

Opt to pay as you go, and those numbers change to $3973 and $1872 respectively.