Versatile, functional, real-world fuel-efficient and reasonably priced: VW's entry-level diesel Tiguan seven-seater has sensible family motoring covered off well
What is it?
The seven-seat version of Volkswagen’s mid-sized SUV, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, has now had a mid-life update in line with the regular five-seater, and this is our first chance to drive the refreshed version on UK roads.
The Allspace gets 110mm of extra length in the wheelbase, and seven seats as standard in the UK. It has a revised range of engines, with two 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels remaining alongside three petrols, in a market where, even among family workhorse options, the diesels continue to dwindle.
The Tiguan’s derivative line-up has been simplified slightly so that there are now Life, Elegance and sporty R-Line models to choose from – and while the Life models are an entry-level grade, the other two are priced broadly similarly to each other. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is either a de facto cost option or standard fit on every engine in the range, with part-time 4Motion four-wheel drive available with every engine except the 1.5-litre TSI petrol.
What’s it like?
The Tiguan’s mid-life refresh is mostly about new assistance and infotainment technology, although there is a new radiator grille with the obligatory illuminated light bar just in case ‘cool dad’ from that memorable TV advert was at risk of feeling left out. There are new adaptive matrix LED headlights (which have special illumination modes for use on the motorway, in urban areas and in bad weather) and updated traffic jam assist and blindspot monitoring systems for upper-trim cars as well, although none was fitted on our entry-level diesel Life test car.
As regards secondary controls, the Tiguan’s layout has changed slightly, retaining good usability in key areas, but losing some in others. There’s an updated, better-networked 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system – thankfully, not the same system that the Golf Mk8 uses, but one with permanent menu shortcuts buttons and physical volume and zoom/tune knobs. And there’s a new heating and ventilation control console that swaps easily grabbable temperature and blower control buttons and knobs for touch-sensitive slider controls. Sure enough, they demand more of your attention to use than the old controls when you probably ought to be looking at the road.
Generally, though, the Tiguan Allspace’s interior is a smart and convincing one, albeit quite Volkswagen-typical conserative in its presentation. There are some neat extra storage features around the cabin of the kind that MPVs of a similar size used to specialise in: a lidded cubby on the dash top, and lined drawers that appear from underneath the front seats, should you want somewhere to keep wallets, handbags and electrical devices out of sight.
The second-row seats slide fore and aft and would have offered enough space for taller adults as well as kids if not for our test car’s optional panoramic sunroof. The third-row seats aren’t as easy to access as in some rivals, are fit for younger kids only and don’t feature Isofix child-seat anchorages. They’re easy to fold up and down, though, and smaller passengers on booster seats could travel in them happily.
To drive, the cheapest diesel Tiguan Allspace has more than adequate performance, drivability and refinement; medium-light but fairly precise and easily managed controls; tidy handling manners; and a medium-firm ride that feels ready for a bit of heavy hauling and towing if necessary, but not sporty or annoying with it. The car has a slightly more middle-of-the-road dynamic character than the Tiguan had in its original-model-generation early years, when the car’s slightly boundingly firm ride earned it the nickname ‘Tigger’ at Autocar HQ. On balance, though, the new car’s gently stout and steady blend of ride composure and body control probably means more has been gained than lost.
The engine has the slightly coarse, rev-reluctant, hard-working character you’d expect of a four-cylinder diesel, but it’s no chore to interact- or rub along with. It moves the car along briskly enough when you need it to, and it doesn’t struggle to top an indicated 50mpg out of town.
The Tiguan’s standard-fit driver assistance systems are also worth a mention, since the lane keeping system is less intrusive than rival systems; it’s easier to deactivate than some if it is getting on your nerves; and because, rather than continually tweaking at the steering, it will give you a discreet warning message through the digital instrument screen if you’re continually wandering across your lane. That, it seems to this tester, ought to be a much more effective way of getting drivers to pay a bit more attention to where they are pointing the car than continually seeking to correct their line in a more discreet way that’s actually just as likely to hinder as help.
Should I buy one?
While the regular five-seat Tiguan does offer one, there’s no plug-in hybrid powertrain on offer in the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace for those seeking to make an efficiency saving; but if you’re looking for versatile, real-world fuel-efficient, reasonably priced family transport, you could do a great deal worse than to stick with this entry-level diesel version of the car.
It’s smart, simple, solid, functional, straightforward and easy to use: VW doing what it has always done well, in other words.
Model tested: Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TDI 150 Life
Price: £35,690
Price as tested: Unspecified
Engine: 4 cyls in line, 1968cc, turbo, diesel
Transmission: 6-spd manual
Driveline layout: Front, transverse, FWD
Model tested: Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TDI 150 Life
Price: £35,690
Price as tested: Unspecified
View all specs and rivals
Engine: 4 cyls in line, 1968cc, turbo, diesel
Transmission: 6-spd manual
Driveline layout: Front, transverse, FWD
Power: 148bhp at 4000rpm
Torque: 251lb ft at 1600-3900rpm
0-62mph: 9.8sec
Top speed: 124mph
Kerb weight (DIN): 1724kg
Fuel economy: 53.3mpg
CO2: 140g/km
BIK tax band: 32%
Rivals: Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI Peugeot 5008 1.5 BlueHDI
Rivals Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI Peugeot 5008 1.5 BlueHDI
Power: 148bhp at 4000rpm
Torque: 251lb ft at 1600-3900rpm
0-62mph: 9.8sec
Top speed: 124mph
Kerb weight (DIN): 1724kg
Fuel economy: 53.3mpg
CO2: 140g/km
BIK tax band: 32%
Rivals Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI Peugeot 5008 1.5 BlueHDI