Volkswagen Tiguan 130TDI 2015 review

A new flagship and a more powerful diesel variant are the ammunition Volkswagen Australia has loaded into its Tiguan compact SUV range for its return to battle.

CHANGES

Also making the highlights reel is the inclusion of a reversing camera, displayed on the new dash-mounted touchscreen. The driver also comes to grips with a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and will be monitored by standard driver fatigue detection.

The other debutant in the Volkswagen compact SUV line-up is the R-Line designation for the 155TSI model, with R-Line body kit, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptively damped suspension (the only Tiguan so optioned), leather sports seats and satnav.

Also now standard range-wide on the upgraded Tiguan, accompanied by a small price rise, is the XDL electronic differential lock, which claims improved driveability, reduced understeer and slicker corner entry and exit.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS

Petrol choices start from the twin-charged 1.4-litre (118kW/ 240Nm) entry-level front-drive model, the only Tiguan with manual gearbox. DSG transmission adds $2500.

Both have start-stop fuel-saving . Fuel use is 6.9L/100km and 7.3L respectively. The 2.0-litre turbo (132kW/ 280Nm, 8.8L) and the turbo diesel (130kW/380Nm, (6.2L/100km) are both DSG-only and can be optioned up to include panoramic sunroof, leather trim and satellite navigation.

DRIVING

On mainly motorway cruising with some winding hill roads, the new 130TDI diesel impresses for its quiet cruising and the effective outputs. Ride quality remains reasonable, as does steering weight and ability, and it can corner without undue alarm at a brisk pace.