2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: A gift from the heavens

Of all the compact SUVs currently on the market, the Volkswagen Tiguan does the best job living up to the “sport utility” name. Ok, so maybe it doesn’t have the same pick-up and handling as an Audi Q5, but it’s a lot nicer to drive than the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and even the Kia Sportage.

Your favourite journalist – that would be me – spent the holiday season at the wheel of a Tiguan (yes, I realize that months have passed and the Visa bills have already been paid). I was supposed to get a Golf to test during the festivities, but at the last minute VW Canada decided to offer me a Tiguan. Much to my delight! I mean, I wouldn’t have minded a 2.5L five-door Golf, but with all my family obligations, I was happy to have a bigger vehicle for the holidays.

• Also: Volkswagen Will Add Two SUVs To Its Lineup

Ever played Tetris?

One thing I have to admit is that when it comes to cargo space, the Tiguan is far from outstanding. In fact, that’s the very reason why some people opt for other SUVs. Despite the fact that the rear seat backs fold down in three separate parts to   lie flush with the trunk, you really have to use your noggin to make good use of the restricted space. Rear passengers will also feel the pinch, especially if you try to seat three people in the back. We tried to squeeze mom, dad and daughter in the back, and it didn’t go over very well.

The 2012 Tiguan’s front fascia is now up to par with the rest of the VW family. This evolution will see the Tiguan through as it awaits a full restyling, which is expected in a few years. Not much has changed inside. The cabin still features a user-friendly but somewhat austere dashboard. Other than that, the heating system fan on our test model was abnormally noisy at times. On a better note, I had no trouble synching my BlackBerry and contacts list to the Bluetooth system. And if I can do it, anyone can!
Like most German products, the Tiguan is equipped with hard seats that are nonetheless surprisingly comfortable for long drives. Finding a good driving position is fast and easy, and I appreciated the numerous storage compartments.

Engine excellence

Despite the esthetic tweaks, the mechanics remain unchanged – and that’s a good thing. The only engine on offer is a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower at 5,100-6,000 rpm and 207 lbs-ft of torque at 1,700-5,000 rpm. This engine, which also graces the GTI, is very linear. And while it can’t turn the Tiguan into a missile, it generates some very respectable performances. During my two-week test, the vehicle sucked back 11.6L/100 km (103.53 L for 894 km, to be exact). It would have been nice it the vehicle’s average fuel consumption rate (oh, did I mention it takes super?) didn’t reset to zero every time I refuelled. This made it harder to get a big-picture view of its fuel economy.

The six-speed automatic transmission works without a hitch and even comes with a manual mode. But you should know that even the Highline, the swankier trim that I tested, lacks shifter paddles behind the steering wheel.

My friend Haldex

Isn’t it always the case that road conditions take a turn for the worse during the holidays? Well, this year was no exception. On Christmas night, the 10 cm of half-frozen slush covering the highway created the perfect conditions for appreciating the Tiguan’s 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system and directional stability control. That night, I was especially glad that the folks at Volks didn’t stick me with a front-wheel drive version. Credit is also due to the ContiWinterContact 235/45R19 tires, as well as the well-calibrated and non-intrusive traction and lateral stability control systems.

The Tiguan also scored brownie points for its precise steering and good feedback from the front wheels. The independent suspension is firm enough (maybe too firm for some) and translates into great handling and controlled roll on corners.

My winter experience did, however, reveal one irritating point. Since the windshield wipers can’t be raised (the hood gets in the way), it can be hard to clean your windshield properly. Yeah, I know that there’s a special function that stops the wipers in vertical position when you get out of the car, but I obviously only thought of it once I saw the wipers caked in snow and ice. Also, if the central cavity had been better designed, the hatch would be a lot easier to close.

Let’s talk money, honey

If there’s one other aspect worth whining about, it’s the price. The Tiguan Highline I tested was equipped with both the Technology ($2,300) and Sport ($1,900) packages, which drove the total vehicle price as high as $42,575. Add to that another $1,580 for shipping, maintenance and the inevitable taxes, and you end up paying more than $50,000. For that much, a lot of people would rather buy a Mercedes-Benz GLK or an Audi Q5, as these are bigger, more exclusive and not all that much more costly. On the other hand, you can always save by turning down the expensive packages. Not to mention the fact that Volkswagen is currently offering much lower interest rates.