Tiguan offers plenty of surprises

I have to admit, when I think compact SUV I think about the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage.

But after a week in the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, the company’s smaller SUV will be one I suggest for anyone looking for a comfortable people mover.

This past week was my first time driving the Tiguan and I enjoyed the room and the look of this vehicle.

My tester for the week was the new Wolfsburg Edition which features a long list of standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, and eight-way power adjustable seat and automatic headlights.

[caption id="attachment_99394" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The 2017 VW Tiguan offers a comfortable ride with plenty of room for most families.[/caption]

This past week required a lot of night driving and I was happy to also note the Tiguan has an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It also features automatic wipers so there is a lot this car will do for you.

But driving is all about how you feel when you are behind the wheel and I always felt in control of the Tiguan.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI engine which provides 200 hp and 207 lb/ft of torque.

It works seamlessly with a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic 4Motion all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive is always on, directing power to the wheels with the best traction.

[caption id="attachment_99395" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The interior of the 2017 VW Tiguan is well laid out and features a 6.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.[/caption]

I never felt like I needed it during my week but I can see why it would provide an extra level of safety during a Canadian winter.

Adding to the safety of driving the Tiguan is a rear-view camera which will become standard in all new vehicles in 2018.

The Tiguan is also getting a shake-up next year with a new version featuring third-row seating.

The four-cylinder engine provided enough power for my week of highway driving and didn’t make me cringe when I filled up the tank before returning the vehicle to Volkswagen’s offices in Ajax.

[caption id="attachment_99396" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The 2017 VW Tiguan is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 200 hp and 207 lb/ft of torque[/caption]

The Tiguan comes in numerous trim levels starting with the Trendline, my Wolfsburg edition, the Comfortline and the Highline.

Each offers numerous optional equipment but the only option with the Wolfsburg edition is a panoramic power sunroof. It seemed to take forever to close the cover on the sunroof and at a cost of $1,450 I’d take a pass on the sunroof.

[caption id="attachment_99400" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The rear of the 2017 VW Tiguan features a hidden spare tire.[/caption]

The interior of my tester was very stylish with black and beige-coloured seats and a dashboard which I think is one of the best in the business. The 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a breeze to use with easy to figure out controls.

The rear seats can be configured in a number of ways to allow plenty of room for anything you might need to carry including skis which can fit in a pass through.

[caption id="attachment_99397" align="alignnone" width="1800"] With the rear seats down the 2016 VW Tiguan has 56.1 cubic feet of cargo space.[/caption]

The Tiguan features 23.8 cubic feet of rear space with the seats up and 56.1 cubic feet with the seats down. That’s less than some other compact SUVs but more than enough for most families’ needs.

In case you didn’t know the word Tiguan originates from a combination of two German words - Tiger (tiger) and Leguan (iguana).

[caption id="attachment_99399" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The back seat of the 2017 VW Tiguan has plenty of room for three adults.[/caption]

The Tiguan first debuted in November 2006 at the LA Auto Show. It has been a good seller for Volkswagen since it went into production in 2007 and now I know why.

For a vehicle I didn’t know much about the Tiguan proved to be a nice surprise.

If you are looking for a smaller SUV that isn’t a Honda, the Tiguan is worth consideration.

Also Read: Honda introduces 2017 CR-V crossover

[caption id="attachment_99398" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The 2017 VW Tiguan comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires.[/caption]

Volkswagen Tiguan Wolfsburg 2017

BODY STYLE: Four-door compact CUV

DRIVE METHOD: Front-wheel drive, six-speed automatic transmission

ENGINE: 2.0 litre inline four-cylinder (200 hp, 207 lb ft)

FUEL ECONOMY: 12.1/10.0L/100km (city/hwy)

CARGO CAPACITY: 23.8 cubic feet with rear seats up, 56.1 cubic feet with rear seats down.

PRICE: $31,648 which includes the $1,450 panoramic sunroof.

WEBSITE: www.vw.ca

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