Cars.com Reviews the 2009 VW Tiguan

Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder reviews the highly anticipated new compact SUV from VW and comes away impressed. Not only does Joe compare the Tiguan to the rest of its class, he also takes on its bigger brother, the much-maligned VW Touareg. Overall impressions are good despite minimal cargo room and a price tag somewhere between value leaders and entry level-luxury nameplates.

2009 VW Tiguan Expert Review

Comments

[alex]

at my local honda/vw dealer, while i was getting my civic serviced, i looked and took a good look at the vw tiguan. I must say that its very nice! the interior is nice, and the turbo 4 seems to work for this suv. Its a shame vw doesnt advertise it enough and thats its kinda pricey, but for those who dont want the me oo feel for the crv and rav-4. this is a good choice. I do have one question though. Can vw fire the person that does their name selection for suvs? Tiguan and Toureag? ouch

[alex]

i also would like to agree with joe in saying vw often straddles classes. I think its one of vw's biggest issues. I would also say that the 6 speed auto is much better than the standard 5 speed auto, and (4 speed some models) in the compact suv class. Vw will steal some sales from the higher models crv and rav 4, but i dont see them being able to compete with the base models and lower priced rivals except for those who have a pre disposition towards a vw

[valero]

I'd consider it if they do two things

1. Bring the turbo diesel over.
2. Put the 6 speed manual gear box in it.

You can only get the manual on the low end FWD model.

[alex]

valero, your comments prove why vw is a niche brand. A six speed manual with a diesel? how much more narrow would like to go? A 6 speed manual, diesel, and your intials engraved on the front of the car? Why would they slap a diesel on it with the price of it? u diesel people are not rational.

[Capeplates]

Nice car but then again is VW - always top quality

[ziggy]

VW quality has always been questionale. I agree that they have priced it so that it doesn't really compete with what they intended it to - RAV4's and CRV's. Most sales of them have been on the lower end of the price scale and the VW definately isn't. If their target is to move about 30,000 of them then I guess they'll meet their target.

[valero]

Alex,

Since they already slap a diesel (2.0L TDI) in the Tiguan and sell it with a 6 speed manual transmission in Europe, I'd like to see it come over here.

A little research on your part would help your credibility.

[Thad]

I rented (as in car rental) the Tiguan upon arriving in MN last month. After spending two weeks I came away mostly impressed however two things need to be addressed. The vehicle costs to much compared to it's competition. The 2.0 liter turbo needs more power. It's very annoying when the car seams to bog down when not coming to a complete stop. The engine does not have enough low end ooomph. Compared to my recent experience with a Saab 9-3 I would say that their 2 liter turbo is better. It feels more balanced in the power bandwidth. Maybe it's due to the Tiguan's weight. Either way I wouldn't buy one unless they knocked $5k off the price.

[Dave T.]

Valero,
I think what he's saying is if only 7% of all cars are sold with a manual and even fewer than that with a diesel how many actual buyers would there be for such a thing?

However, a TDI with auto would still probably do well if it was clean and got 30% better mileage.

[alex]

valero, I never said that they couldnt put a diesel with a 6 six manual in it, but why would they? its such a niche market that it wouldnt be worth it. with diesel costing 4.80 here in my town, (more elsewhere), and the price jump for the diesel technology, and plus the spotty vw realability and lingering questions about diesel because some people dont understand it, its not pratical. Vw needs go more mainstream(with their own flare of course), and a diesel 6 speed is not mainstream? Does that clarify? Dave is exactly right!

[DL]

i noticed that the Passat wagon has more cargo room in the back, by quite a big margin. you guys should to a shootout/comparison! i bet the wagon would win in every category. but people are suckers for style and bling (so am i, although i hate SUV's)

[valero]

Alex, Dave,

It is not an issue of why they would put a diesel in the Tiguan, they've put a the common rail 2.0l TDI in it. The vehicle I asked for exists in Europe and until recently was actually considered for import to the US by VW. When I last checked with a VW dealer in May they were still not sure which models would be imported but had not ruled out the TDI.

There are also three trim levels of this vehicle in the EU, Trend and Fun, Sport and Style, and Track and Field.

Everyone complains about all the cool European cars from Ford and GM that don't make it over here. Well I'm entitled to complain that VW is holding back a vehicle I know exists.

Sorry it doesn't fit in with your ideal vehicle to drive, but that's why there's more than one car available.

As for low sales for standard transmission, that's because those vehicles aren't offered here while in Europe they are the norm.

The same goes for diesel vehicles. They don't sell here because they weren't available because they couldn't pass emissions with the high sulfur diesel in the US. Now that we have cleaner diesel I expect to see more vehicles showing up that use the fuel.

[Dave T]

Valero,
You misunderstand me. There is absolutely no evidence the American market A: wants a stick in a compact SUV.
B: will pay $30K+ for a diesel CUV.

Unless, like I said it would get really good mileage. LOTS of cars sold in the U.S. have diesel powerplants elsewhere, there's a reason they're not sold here en masse. I was purely speaking to market demand, not feasibility of producing the vehicle.

[George]

Dave, way to hand-out the dope-slap.

[alex]

valero, for the second time, im fully aware that u can get the tiguan in a diesel in europe as a 6 speed mauual. Im not sure why u are bashing me for your lack of knowledge. Your beloved manuals may be wildly popular in europe, but they are not a cornerstone of the american market. Thats why they are not available here! automakers are no different than any other for profit company in the fact that if they thought that they could sell them here and make money they would sell them here!! Your argument doesn't pass the laugh test!!! The reason diasels arent selling is not because of "clean diesel', but because the economics dont make sense. Pay a prenium for the technology, pay more at the pump, to get a 20% increase or whatever in fuel ecomony. Automakers are not going to bring cars over here to have them sit on lots. Sorry to burst your bubble but dont expect to see an explosion of "clean disels" coming to the states. This is not bashing diesel or vw either, i had some nice things to say about it, but your not thinking this out and being rational.

[Matt]

I'm not sure what is going on in the previous threads. I always believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. First off, I would like to say that I see what all of you are saying. However, I would like to pose this question. Many clean diesels haven't made it here to the US yet, how can you be so certain their isn't going to be market demand? I understand ALL the costs associated with them (Higher MSRP, Higher Fuel associated with higher fuel refining.. ect) but as an 06 TDI owner I can sell my car now for about what I paid for it 2 years ago. I considered and preferred the New Passat, but the resale value and fuel savings just didn't align with the TDI - not even close.(And yes, I know we are comparing a CUV now-big difference) I also would like to see a diesel Tiguan in our future, but the market will decide. Also, I would hate to see what diesel prices are going to do when the mass of clean diesels make it here?(Honda, BMW, Subaru, ect are all expecting new diesels in the near future.) But I don't think anyone can predict market stability for these models? Are all these manufacturers making a big leap? Oh...and I'm not ready for a Prius yet..when I hit the pedal...I want to go!! Just had to add that in there!!!

[Dave T.]

Matt,
I agree with you too. VW seems to be the brand with loyal diesel followers but mostly because they can be converted or can run on biodiesel right out of the box. that's still a limited market. And one looking for rabbits and jettas, not more expensive, thirstier SUVs.

[Ralph]

Why wouldn't an SUV in diesel be marketable in the US? It will get better mileage than the same vehicle burning gasoline. In most cases more than offsetting the difference in fuel cost. Diesels last longer which is going to appeal to more buyers who want to hold on to vehicles longer.

Now that the US is enforcing the low sulfur diesel the cars from Europe can now pass the emissions requirements here. I think we're going to see more diesel vehicles offered in the US and maybe see a change in buyer attitudes towards diesel.

The new diesel Jetta appears to be getting a tax rebate for being emissions compliant in all 50 states and getting exceptional mileage.

[VW Informant]

Hey guys, I've actually been working with VW to find out what people are saying about the car so it's great to hear your opinions... Alex, the Tiguan S is actually available with a 6spd manual transmission. You guys are absolutely correct in terms of straddling pricepoints between the entry level and luxury crossovers. It's been a point of contention for a lot of people; however despite it's higher price point, it's still selling pretty well.

As far as the TDI is concerned. There is absolutely a market for it in the states as it seems like every post I come across about the car is asking when it's going to show up. Although unfortunately, there's been no official word yet.

If you guys have any other opinions about the car, please let me know. I'll be happy to pass them along (good or bad) to VW. They really just want to get a feel for what people are saying about it.

[Dave T.]

VW Informant,
I'm not sure how I feel about a web marketer posting on our site. Since you're not soliciting traffic I won't immediately delete your comments but if any of our readers are offended I will remove them.

Please post concerns here or email us at editor@cars.com

Thank you,
David Thomas
Senior Editor
Cars.com

[Smoe]

VW Informant,

The Tiguan is TOO EXPENSIVE. I wouldn't mind paying the higher price if the reliability was as good as a Toyota. I'm assuming VW knows this, but thinks/knows that they can still sell enough to hit their targets. Then I guess that's okay too. It's too bad, because I really like the look of the Tiguan. High price and questionable reliability kills it for me.

Smoe