Good looks and trusted – the VW Tiguan

By Imraan Buccus

For years, the Tiguan has been a safe bet for South African families. It’s always been one of those cars that sold itself: good looks, a trusted badge, and the right blend of practicality and refinement. But with options in this sector having increased significantly the Tiguan needs to keep up to stay in the game.

At first glance, the new Tiguan feels familiar yet slightly softer. The latest generation is longer and a bit more rounded, borrowing some design language from Volkswagen’s electric ID.4. It’s a handsome SUV, but perhaps a little less distinctive than the model it replaces – more business like than bold.

Ride comfort is firmer than before, particularly on poorer road surfaces, where sharp edges can be felt in the cabin. The optional larger wheels don’t help here, but once you’re on a smooth stretch of tar, the Tiguan settles down and becomes an excellent long-distance cruiser. On gravel, it remains composed, though the firm suspension makes it a little unsettled.

Inside, Volkswagen has clearly focused on upping the tech factor. The cabin has gone thoroughly digital, with a wide 12.9-inch infotainment screen dominating the dash and a crisp 10-inch driver display complementing it. The gear selector has been moved to a stalk behind the steering wheel, freeing up valuable space in the centre console. A single rotary controller now handles both drive modes and audio volume, which is a nice touch once you get used to it. 

Space is one of the Tiguan’s strongest points. Driving from Durban to Hluhluwe , the back seat easily accommodated three adults, and the 652-litre boot swallowed all our luggage, cooler box included, with room to spare. The rear seats fold almost flat at the pull of a lever, making the Tiguan just as practical for loading my bike for a long cycle and for a weekend at the Hluhluwe game park. And, in a world of tyre repair kits, VW still gives you a real spare wheel – something that brings real peace of mind if you’re venturing far from the city.

 In terms of optional extras an electric tailgate comes in at under R15000 and a detachable tow hitch at R21000. A panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel light and airy. But as expected the extras will mean digging deeper into your pockets. 

Under the bonnet, the 1.4-litre turbopetrol does a respectable job. Its 110 kW and 250 Nm don’t sound like much, but thanks to the Tiguan’s relatively light weight, it keeps up with traffic and cruises comfortably.

 VW’s claim of 7.6L /100 km but depending on roads traveled, actual consumption is likely to be closer to 8.3 L/100 km. Safety features these days can be a little overbearing and overly cautious at times, braking more abruptly than necessary in low-speed manoeuvres.

The Tiguan is solid and sense of engineering integrity is part of what has kept VW buyers loyal, despite the emergence of dozens of East Asian cars. 

The as-tested price of this is hard to ignore, especially when rivals like the Kia Sportage or Haval H6 offer more power and equipment for less money.

Ultimately, the Tiguan still earns its place as one of the best all-round family SUVs you can buy, but its biggest challenge may be convincing buyers who aren’t already Volkswagen fans that it’s worth the premium. If you value badge prestige, rock-solid build quality and a cabin that feels a cut above most competitors, the Tiguan remains a top contender. And after a month of school runs, highway hauls and a family holiday, I can say it’s a car you quickly learn to trust – and that counts for more than you might think.